Introduction
There
are the following course possibilities for studying Old Catholic theology:
a.
Old Catholic Theology as an integrated course for licentiate (usually
to prepare for becoming a parish priest) or doctorate.
b.
Old Catholic Theology as the major subject for licentiate or
doctorate.
c.
Old
Catholic Theology as a minor subject for licentiate.
Completing
the licentiate does not complete the requirements for full time service in
the Swiss Old Catholic (Christ Catholic) Church. This requires a one year
curacy followed by a state examination.
Description of the
subject
Theology,
as a university subject, serves in research, teaching and training to
reflect on and preserve Christian Faith and Life in view of the challenges
of history and the present. Studying theology in a community of students
and teachers seeks to equip them to make knowledgeable and critical
judgements about the reasons and sources, the meanings and
self-understandings, the forms and consequences of Christian faith and
thus to be better able to take responsibility in both the church and wider
society.
Old
Catholic Theology sees itself in continuity with the western catholic
tradition in its original connection with the eastern tradition and
therefore sees it as one of its tasks to uncover questionable developments,
to name them openly, and thus help lead to overcoming them. It pays
particular attention to the question of how, on the basis of the old,
undivided church of both East and West the separated churches of today can
find the way to unity. The Department for Old Catholic Theology therefore
strives to work closely together with Old Catholic institutions in other
countries as well as with similarly oriented bodies of other denominations,
particularly of the Eastern Orthodox and Anglican traditions. (For more on
the Swiss Old Catholic (Christ Catholic) church: www.christkath.ch)
Main
points of emphasis
Biblical
Studies, Church History and History of Theology, Systematic Theology, The
Nature and History of Old Catholicism and its Ecumenical Position,
Liturgics, Practical Theology.
Plan
of Studies
·
Integrated Course for Licentiate (Integralstudium)
This
course
includes university studies (basic course and main course) as well as
practical training for at least 10 weeks.
The
four semesters of the basic course (Grundstudium) includes
primarily the introductory classes in those subject areas needed for the
propaedeutic examination: Old Testament, including the history of Israel
and early Judaism, New Testament including the history and environment of
early Christianity, Biblical knowledge of the Old and New Testaments,
Church History, History of Philosophy, Religious Studies.
The
six semesters of the main course (Hauptstudium) consists of
advanced classes in those areas relevant for the licentiate examination:
Exegesis of both Old and New Testament, Church History and History of
Theology, Systematic Theology, The History of Old Catholicism and its
Ecumenical Position, Liturgics, Practical Theology (Homiletics,
Catechetics, or Pastoral Theology), Ecumenical Studies, Ethics, Church
Management, Canon Law.
The
Basic course concludes with the propaedeutic examination (preceded by one
individual examination). The main course concludes with the licentiate
examination (proceeded by four individual examinations).
· Course for Licentiate with Theology as the major
subject (Hauptfachstudium)
