The reasons for the reform are, [Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, prefect for the Congregation for Catholic Education] explained, "on the one hand, the shortcomings in philosophical formation at many ecclesiastical institutions, where precise points of reference are lacking especially as regards the subjects to be taught and the quality of teachers. ... On the other hand there is the conviction - expressed in John Paul II's 1998 Encyclical 'Fides et ratio' - of the importance of the metaphysical component of philosophy, ... and the awareness that philosophy is indispensable for theological formation". For this reason today's decree of the congregation aims to re-evaluate philosophy, above all in the light of that Encyclical, ... restoring the 'original vocation' of philosophy; i.e., the search for truth and its sapiental and metaphysical dimension".[Hat tip to J.M.]
... The reform also concerns the first cycle of studies in ecclesiastical faculties of theology and affiliated institutes, defining the duration of formation and explaining that "strictly philosophical disciplines must constitute at least sixty percent of the number of credits in the first two years". This condition also holds for affiliated major seminaries.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Vatican: more philosophy for seminarians
The Holy See Press Office held a press conference a few days ago on the newly-published Decree on the "Reform of ecclesiastical studies of philosophy" (Vatican Information Service, March 22, 2011):
I'm personally pleased to see this. I have heard that Protestant seminaries, here in the UK and in the USA, Canada, etc., offer virtually no philosophy at all, which is a pity. Particularly so since this will leave them vulnerable as most of their theology is likely filtered through the philosophical lens of liberal Protestant thinkers like Bultmann who are heavily influenced by Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, etc., about whom they will know next to nothing.
ReplyDeleteOnly one Protestant college professor of religion I know told me that he encourages his undergraduate students headed for divinity school to major in philosophy. Protestants work at a distinct disadvantage in this respect.