In 1559, Pope Pius IV gave the following excuse for not allowing people to read the Bible in their native tongue:
Since experience teaches that, if the reading of the Holy Bible in the vernacular is permitted generally without discrimination, more damage than advantage will result because of the boldness of men, the judgment of the bishops and inquisitors is to serve as guide in this regard. Bishops and inquisitors may, in accord with the counsel of the local priest and confessor, allow Catholic translations of the Bible to be read by those of whom they realize that such reading will not lead to the detriment but to the increase of faith and piety. The permission is to be given in writing. Whoever reads or has such a translation in his possession without this permission cannot be absolved from his sins until he has turned in these Bibles.
Several years later, another writer said the following:
Easy access to sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful…Since the word of God should be available at all times…suitable and correct translations are made into different languages, especially from the original texts of the sacred books.
Question: Who is the source for this second quote? And no fair Googling.
Christ Alone Wyoming 
William Tynedale ?
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Nope, wasn’t Tyndale
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Pope JP2?
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It is my guess that it is another Pope (or Catholic leader) later down the line contradicting his predecessor.
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Im guessing John Wycliffe, cos his name is in the tag!!!!
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I’m guessing Joel Osteen – doesn’t he make the whole studio audience repeat that whole quote like a mantra every time he prea… er, gives an inspirational talk?
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T.D. Jakes?
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Actually that last comment was meant as a joke. Ha, ha…
Would it of been Luther?
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I’d guess a modern pope: Joe Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) or Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II). If not one of them then probably some prominent Romanist figure like Mother Theresa.
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I’m guessing some form of post-Trent council. You know… All those infallable ones. (Rolls eyes)
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william huss?
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sir thomas moore?
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Jonathan Hunt, Berry, and Cruci-Fide–You are the winners of the grand prize!
Yes, indeed, the second quote was from none other than Vatican II. The entire quote reads, “Easy access to sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful. . . Since the word of God should be available at all times, the Church with maternal concern sees to it that suitable and correct translations are made into different languages, especially from the original texts of the sacred books.”
So, yeah, the irony of the whole thing. When they’re trying to keep the Bible out of people’s hands, rounding people up and killing them for daring to oppose Il Popa (see Wycliffe, Tyndale) it’s because “They’ll teach heresy!” But, once the horse has left the barn, “Well, OK, we’ll let people read the Bible. Just so long as they read OUR translation of it.”
Credit: 4 Simpsons blog
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