Christophe Rico, dean of The Polis Institute in Jerusalem and a Catholic linguist, has commended the exceptional and consistent accuracy of the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible completed by St. Jerome around 406 A.D. This translation has significantly shaped Christian theology and biblical scholarship for over 1600 years.
Rico expressed his strong admiration for the Vulgate, stating, "I don't know any other translation, either ancient or modern, so good as the Vulgate." He emphasized that its precision and value to the Church remain undiminished, even after such a vast span of time. The Polis Institute, founded in 2011, focuses on the study of ancient languages and humanities, utilizing the 'Polis Method' to teach languages like Latin and Ancient Greek as if they were living languages. This immersive approach fosters intuitive fluency, enabling students to engage directly with ancient texts.
The Vulgate, meaning "common version," was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 A.D. and largely finished by St. Jerome around 404 A.D. It served as the primary Bible for Western Christendom for approximately a millennium, used by scholars, saints, and in liturgical practices. St. Jerome's translation was a monumental achievement that influenced Western cultural history and theological language. The Council of Trent in 1546 officially recognized the Vulgate as the authoritative Latin translation of the Roman Catholic Church, a status it held for centuries. Despite the emergence of revisions and new translations, the Vulgate's historical importance and linguistic integrity continue to be acknowledged.