Here's why:
* The Vulgate: The official Latin translation of the Bible, known as the Vulgate, was compiled by Saint Jerome in the 4th century AD. This became the standard Bible text used by the Catholic Church throughout Europe for over 1,000 years.
* Church Language: Latin was the language of the Church, scholarship, and official documents. This made it accessible to clergy and educated individuals, but not to the general population who spoke vernacular languages.
* Limited Literacy: Literacy rates were low in the pre-Reformation period. While some people could read, the majority of the population relied on oral traditions and sermons for access to religious teachings.
While Latin was the dominant language, there were other languages used for translations before the Reformation:
* Greek: The New Testament was originally written in Greek, and some Greek Bibles were available.
* Vernacular Translations: There were a few scattered translations into vernacular languages, such as Old English, but these were not widespread and were often suppressed by the Church.
The Reformation and Language Change:
The Reformation in the 16th century brought significant changes in the use of language in the Bible. Martin Luther's German translation (1522) and other translations into vernacular languages made the Bible accessible to wider audiences. This contributed to the spread of literacy and a shift in the religious landscape of Europe.