Why did some Croat Catholics continue using the Glagolitic alphabet for centuries?

Some Croat Catholics continued to use the Glagolitic alphabet for centuries because it was deeply integrated into their religious and cultural identity, specifically through its use in the Slavonic liturgy.

While the script was eventually replaced by the Latin alphabet in most areas, its persistence among Croats was notable for several reasons:

• Liturgical Use: Despite opposition from some higher Roman Catholic authorities, the script was employed alongside the Slavonic liturgy. It eventually secured a special license from the pope, allowing certain communities—particularly on the island of Krk—to continue using Glagolitic-script service books into the 20th century.12
• Cultural Heritage: Beyond its religious function, the script was used for secular writing and inscriptions, becoming a respected symbol of Croatian cultural heritage.1
• Regional Persistence: The script spread along the Dalmatian coast and into Istria, where it maintained a presence even as the Cyrillic alphabet became the dominant script for Orthodox Slavic peoples.2

Ultimately, the Glagolitic alphabet served as a unique link to the early Slavic liturgical tradition for these Roman Catholic communities, distinguishing their practice from the broader adoption of Latin script in Western Europe.23