Did the Vatican II uphold the notion that Mass should be in Latin?

Answer 1

Catholic AnswerYes, contrary to popular opinion, the Church Fathers at the Second Vatican Council were quite emphatic that Latin was to be retained in the celebration of the sacraments, with only certain parts in the vernacular.

from Vatican II The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, Nihil Obstat: Reverend Francis X. Glimm, S.T.I., Censor Librorum; Imprimatur + Walter P. Kellenberg, D.D., Bishop of Rockville Centre. fromSacrosanctum Concilium, 4 December, 1963 (The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)

No. 54. A suitable place may be allotted to the vernacular in Masses which are celebrated with the people, especially in the readings and "the common prayer," and also, as local conditions may warrant, in those parts which pertain to the people, according to the rules laid down in Article 36 of this Constitution.

Nevertheless care must be taken to ensure that the faithful may also be able to say or sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.

Wherever a more extended use of the vernacular in the Mass seems desirable, the regulation laid down in Article 40 of this constitution is to be observed

No 36. (1) The use of the Latin language, with due respect to particular law, is to be preserved in the Latin rites.

(2) But since the use of the vernacular, whether in the Mass, the administration of the sacraments, or in other parts of the liturgy, may frequently be of great advantage to the people, a wider use may be made of it, especially in readings, directives and in some prayers and changes. Regulations governing this will be given separately in subsequent chapters.

(3) These norms being observed, it is for the competent territorial ecclesiastical authority mentioned in Article 22:2, to decided whether, and to what extent, the vernacular language is to be used. Its decrees have to be approved, that is, confirmed, by the Apostolic See. Where circumstances warrant it, it is to consult with bishops of neighboring regions which have the same language.

(4) Translations from the Latin for use in the liturgy must be approved by the competent ecclesiastical authority already mentioned.