If we seek a restoration, it is necessary to promote a renewed appreciation of the ancient liturgy and a revival of Latin-centered education.
For his part, Professor Owens emphasizes that Catholics seeking an explanation for how and why we have moved so far away from this state of affairs should resist the temptation to hastily scapegoat the councilors of Vatican II, as the rise of the modern, centralized nation-state played a role by displacing Latin in favor of national languages. A vicious cycle ensued, for as fewer teachers were able to teach Latin well, fewer teachers were able to, well, teach Latin well.
Was the rise of nation-states in Europe a problem? Yes. But was the second millenium papacy a solution to that problem? Or an ecclesial monoculture? Could the Germanic tribes have developed a different culture and received their own patriarchate(s) in due time? What could the Church have done to preserve the independence of European polities in the face of nationalism and centralization of power?
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