FRANCIS APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION VERITATIS GAUDIUM ON ECCLESIASTICAL UNIVERSITIES AND FACULTIES (2)

FRANCIS

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
VERITATIS GAUDIUM

ON ECCLESIASTICAL UNIVERSITIES AND FACULTIES

NORMS OF APPLICATION

OF THE CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOR THE CORRECT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION

VERITATIS GAUDIUM

The Congregation for Catholic Education, according to article 10 of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium, presents to the Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties the following Norms of Application and orders that they be faithfully observed.

PART ONE

GENERAL NORMS

Section I

Nature and Purpose of Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 1-10)

Article 1. § 1. The norms on Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties are also to be applied to the other institutions of higher education, taking into account their particular nature, congrua congruis referendo, which have been canonically erected or approved by the Holy See with the right to confer academic degrees by the authority of the same See.

§ 2. Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties, as well as the other institutions of higher education, are normally subject to evaluation by the Holy See’s Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO).

Article 2. With a view to promoting scientific research, a strong recommendation is given for specialized research centres, scientific periodicals and collections, and meetings of learned societies, as well as all other suitable forms of scientific cooperation.

Article 3. The tasks for which students can be prepared can be either strictly scientific, such as research or teaching, or else pastoral. Account must be taken of this diversity in the curriculum of studies and in the determining of the academic degrees, while always preserving the scientific nature of the studies for both.

Article 4. Active participation in the ministry of evangelization concerns the action of the Church in pastoral work, in ecumenism, and in missionary undertakings. It also extends to the understanding, defence and diffusion of the faith. At the same time it extends to the whole context of culture and human society.

Article 5. Bishops’ Conferences, collaborating with the Apostolic See in these matters also, are thus to follow carefully both Universities and Faculties:

1.     together with the Chancellor they are to foster their progress and, while of course respecting the autonomy of science according to the mind of the Second Vatican Council, they are to be solicitous for their scientific and ecclesial condition;

2.     with regard to common problems which occur within the boundaries of their own region, they are to help, inspire, and harmonize their activity;

3.     while always maintaining a high scientific level, they are to take care that there is an adequate number of such academic institutions, corresponding to the needs of the Church and cultural progress in their own region;

4.     to do all this, they are to constitute among themselves a commission for this purpose, which should be helped by experts.

Article 6. An institution upon which the Congregation for Catholic Education has conferred the right to grant only academic degrees of the second and third cycle is called an “Institute ad instar Facultatis”.

Article 7. § 1. In preparing the Statutes and Plan of Studies, the norms in Appendix I of these Norms of Application must be kept in mind.

§ 2. In accordance with the procedures established in the Statutes, Universities and Faculties can, on their own authority, establish By-Laws that, while following the Statutes, define in more detail matters relating to their constitution, governance and procedures.

Article 8. § 1. The canonical value of an academic degree means that such a degree enables one to assume an office in the Church for which a degree is required. This is, first of all, for teaching sacred sciences in Faculties, major seminaries, or equivalent institutions.

§ 2. The conditions to be fulfilled for the recognition of individual degrees mentioned in article 9 of the Apostolic Constitution, besides the consent of the relevant local or regional ecclesiastical authorities, concern, first of all, the college of teachers, the Plan of Studies, and the means to support scientific work.

§ 3. Degrees thus recognized, for certain canonical effects only, may never be considered simply as equal to academic canonical degrees.

Section II

The Academic Community and Its Government 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 11-21)

Article 9. The duties of the Chancellor are:

1.     to promote continually the progress of the University or Faculty, to advance its scientific progress and its ecclesiastical identity, to ensure that Catholic doctrine is integrally followed, and to enforce the faithful implementation of the Statutes and the prescriptions of the Holy See;

2.     to help ensure close relationships between all the different ranks and members of the community;

3.     to propose to the Congregation for Catholic Education the names of those who, according to the norm of art. 18 of the Apostolic Constitution, are to be nominated or confirmed as Rector, President or Dean, as well as the names of the teachers for whom a nihil obstatis to be requested;

4.     to receive the profession of faith of the Rector or President or Dean;[102]

5.     to give to or take away from the teachers the canonical mission or permission to teach, according to the norms of the Constitution;

6.     to request the nihil obstat of the Congregation for the conferral of honorary doctorates;

7.     to inform the Congregation for Catholic Education about more important matters and to send to that Congregation every five years a detailed report on the academic, moral, and economic condition of the University or Faculty, and its strategic plan, along with his own judgement, following the schema drawn up by the same Congregation.

Article 10. If the University or Faculty depends upon a collegial entity (for instance, on a Bishops’ Conference), one designated member of the group is to exercise the office of Chancellor.

Article 11. The local Ordinary, if he is not the Chancellor, since he has the pastoral responsibility for his Diocese, is, whenever something in the University or Faculty is known to be contrary to doctrine, morals, or ecclesiastical discipline, to take the matter to the Chancellor so that the latter may take action. In case the Chancellor does nothing, the Ordinary may have recourse to the Holy See, without prejudice to his own obligation to provide personally for action in those cases which are more serious or urgent and which carry danger for his Diocese.

Article 12. The appointment or confirmation mentioned in article 18 of the Apostolic Constitution is also required for a subsequent term of office for the office-holders cited.

Article 13. What is contained in article 19 of the Constitution must be explained further in the proper Statutes of the University or those of the individual Faculties, giving more weight, as the case may require, either to collegial or else to personal government, while always preserving both forms. Account should be taken of the university practice of the region where the Faculty is located or of the Religious Institute on which the Faculty may depend.

Article 14. Besides the University Council (Academic Senate) and the Faculty Council, both of which must everywhere exist even if under different names, the Statutes can suitably establish other special councils or commissions for directing and promoting various sectors: scientific, pedagogy, discipline, finances, etc.

Article 15. § 1. According to the Constitution, a Rector is one who presides over a University; a President is one who presides over an Institute or a Faculty sui iuris; a Dean is one who presides over a Faculty which is a part of a University; Director is one who presides over an academic institute that is aggregated or incorporated.

§ 2. The Statutes are to fix a term of office for these offices and are to determine in what way and how many consecutive times their term can be renewed.

Article 16. It belongs to the office of the Rector or President:

1.     to direct, promote, and coordinate all the activity of the academic community;
2.     to be the representative of the University or of the Institute or Faculty sui iuris;
3.     to convoke the Council of the University or of the Institute or Faculty sui iuris and preside over the same according to the norms of the Statutes;
4.     to watch over the administration of temporalities;
5.     to refer more important matters to the Chancellor;
6.     to ensure that, every year, the institution’s data in the data-base of the Congregation for Catholic Education be updated electronically.
Article 17. The Dean of the Faculty is:
1.     to promote and coordinate all the activity of the Faculty, especially matters regarding studies, and to see to providing with due speed for their needs;
2.     to convoke the Faculty Council and preside over it;
3.     to admit or exclude students in the name of the Rector according to the norms of the Statutes;
4.     to refer to the Rector what is done or proposed by the Faculty;
5.     to see that the instructions of higher authorities are carried out;
6.     to update electronically, at least once a year, the institution’s data in the data-base of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

Section III

Teachers 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 22-30)

Article 18. § 1. Teachers who are permanently attached to a Faculty are, in the first place, those who are assumed in full and firm right and who are called Ordinary Professors. Next come Extraordinary Professors. It can also be useful to have others, according to university practice.

§ 2. Faculties must have a minimum number of permanent teachers: twelve for the Faculty of Theology (and, if necessary, at least three with the required degrees in philosophy, q.v. Norms of Application, article 57); seven for the Faculty of Philosophy; and five for the Faculty of Canon Law. Moreover, there must be either five or four in Higher Institutes of Religious Sciences, depending on whether the Institute has both the first and second cycle, or only the first cycle. All other Faculties must have at least five permanent teachers.

§ 3. Besides permanent teachers, there are usually others who are designated by various titles, in the first place those invited from other Faculties.

§ 4. Finally, to carry out certain academic functions it is also opportune to have Assistants, who must possess an appropriate degree.

Article 19. § 1. By a suitable Doctorate is meant one that corresponds to the discipline to be taught.

§ 2. In the Faculties of Theology and Canon Law, if the discipline is sacred or connected with the sacred, the Doctorate must normally be canonical. In the event that the Doctorate is not canonical, at least the canonical Licentiate is required.

§ 3. In all other Faculties, if the teacher has neither a canonical Doctorate nor a canonical Licentiate, he or she can be appointed as a permanent teacher only on condition that his or her formation is coherent with the identity of an Ecclesiastical Faculty. In evaluating candidates for teaching posts, it will be necessary to pay heed not only to their necessary expertise in the area to which they are being assigned to teach, but also to whether their publications and teaching are consonant with, and adhere to, the truth that is transmitted by the faith.

Article 20. § 1. Teachers belonging to other churches and ecclesial communities, co-opted according to the norms of competent ecclesiastical authority,[103] require permission to teach from the Chancellor.

§ 2. Teachers belonging to other churches and ecclesial communities cannot teach doctrinal courses in the first cycle, but can teach other disciplines.[104] In the second cycle, they can be called upon as invited teachers.[105]

Article 21. § 1. The Statutes must establish when a permanent status is conferred in relationship with the obtaining of the nihil obstat that must be procured in accordance with article 27 of the Constitution.

§ 2. The nihil obstat of the Holy See is the declaration that, in accordance with the Constitution and the special Statutes, there appears nothing to impede a nomination which is proposed, but it does not, of itself, confer a right to teach. If some impediment should exist, this will be communicated to the Chancellor who will listen to the teacher in regard to the matter.

§ 3. If particular circumstances of time or place impede the requesting of the nihil obstat from the Holy See, the Chancellor is to take counsel with the Congregation for Catholic Education to find a suitable solution.

§ 4. In Faculties which are under special concordat law the established norms are to be followed and, if they exist, those particular norms decreed by the Congregation for Catholic Education.

Article 22. The time interval between promotions, which must be at least three years, is to be set down in the Statutes.

Article 23. § 1. Teachers, first of all the permanent ones, are to seek to collaborate with each other. It is also recommended that there be collaboration with the teachers of other Faculties, especially those with subjects that have an affinity or some connection with those of the Faculty.

§ 2. One cannot be at one and the same time a permanent teacher in more than one Faculty.

Article 24. § 1. The Statutes are to set out with care the procedure in regard to the suspension or removal of a teacher, especially in matters concerning doctrine.

§ 2. Care must be taken that, first of all, these matters be settled between the Rector or President or Dean and the teacher himself. If they are not settled there, the matters should be dealt with by an appropriate Council or committee, so that the first examination of the facts be carried out within the University or Faculty itself. If this is not sufficient, the matters are to be referred to the Chancellor, who, with the help of experts, either of the University or the Faculty or from other places, must consider the matter and provide for a solution. The teacher must always be afforded the right to know the cause and the evidence, as well as the right to explain and defend his or her own reasons. The right remains for recourse to the Holy See for a definitive solution of the case.[106]

§ 3. However, in more grave or urgent cases, for the good of the students and the faithful, the Chancellor can suspend the teacher for the duration of the regular procedure.

Article 25. Diocesan clerics and Religious or those equivalent to them, in order to be teachers in a Faculty and to remain as such, must have the consent of their proper Ordinary, Hierarch or Superior, following the norms established in these matters by competent Church authority.

Section IV

Students 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 31-35)

Article 26. § 1. The legitimate documentation, mentioned in article 31 of the Constitution:

1. about the student’s moral life: for clergy, seminarians and Religious, this is to be given by their own Ordinary, Hierarch or Superior, or by one delegated by them; for all other persons, by some Church person;

2. about previous studies: this is in the academic level required by the norm of article 32 of the Constitution.

§ 2. Since the studies required before entry into a University differ from one country to another, the Faculty has the right and duty to investigate from the documentation whether all the disciplines have been studied which the Faculty itself considers necessary.

§ 3. A suitable knowledge of the Latin language is required for the Faculties of the sacred sciences, so that the students can understand and use the sources of these sciences as well as the documents of the Church.[107]

§ 4. If one of the disciplines has been found not to have been studied or to have been studied in an insufficient way, the Faculty is to require that this be made up at a suitable time and verified by an examination.

Article 27. Besides ordinary students, that is, those studying for academic degrees, extraordinary students can be allowed to attend the courses, according to the norms determined in the Statutes.

Article 28. The transfer of a student from one Faculty to another can take place only at the beginning of the academic year or semester, after a careful examination of his academic and disciplinary situation. But in any event nobody can be given an academic degree unless all the requirements for the degree are fulfilled as the Statutes and Plan of Studies demand.

Article 29. In the norms which determine the suspension or the expulsion of a student from a Faculty, the student’s right to defend himself or herself must be safeguarded.

Section V

Officials and Administrative and Service Personnel 
(Apostolic Constitution, article 36)

Section VI

Plan of Studies
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 37-44)

Article 30. The Plan of Studies requires the approval of the Congregation for Catholic Education.[108]

Article 31. The Plan of Studies of each Faculty must define which disciplines (principal and auxiliary) are obligatory and must be followed by all, and which are free or optional.

Article 32. Equally, the Plan of Studies is to determine the practical exercises and seminars in which the students must not only be present but also actively work together with their colleagues and produce their own written papers.

Article 33. § 1. The lectures and practical exercises are to be suitably distributed so as to foster private study and personal work under the guidance of the teachers.

§ 2. Part of the courses can be realized by distance learning, if the Plan of Studies approved by the Congregation for Catholic Education foresees it and specifies its conditions, especially as regards the examinations.

Article 34. § 1. The Statutes or Rule of the University or of the Faculty are also to determine in what way the examiners are to make their judgments about candidates.

§ 2. In the final judgment about the candidates for the individual academic degrees, account is to be taken of all the marks received in the various tests in the same cycle, whether written or oral.

§ 3. In the examinations for the giving of degrees, especially the Doctorate, it is also useful to invite examiners from outside the Faculty.

Section VII

Academic Degrees and Other Awards
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 45-52)

Article 35. In Ecclesiastical Universities or Faculties which are canonically erected or approved, the academic degrees are given by authority of the Holy See.

Article 36. § 1. The Statutes are to establish the necessary requisites for the preparation of the doctoral dissertation and the norms for its public defence and publication.

§ 2. Publishing the dissertation electronically is admissible, if the Plan of Studies foresees it and determines its conditions, in such a way that the dissertation be permanently accessible.

Article 37. A printed copy of the published dissertation must be sent to the Congregation for Catholic Education. It is recommended that copies also be sent to other Ecclesiastical Faculties, at least those of the same region, which deal with the same sciences.

Article 38. Authentic documents regarding the conferring of degrees are to be signed by the academic authorities, according to the Statutes, and then countersigned by the Secretary of the University or Faculty and have the appropriate seal affixed.

Article 39. In countries where the international conventions stipulated by the Holy See require it, and in institutions where the academic authorities deem it opportune, as well as the authentic documents of the academic degrees there is also to be a document with further information regarding the curriculum of studies completed (for example, the Diploma Supplement).

Article 40. Honorary doctorates are not to be conferred except with the consent of the Chancellor, who must first obtain the nihil obstat of the Holy See and listen to the opinion of the University or Faculty Council.

Article 41. So that a Faculty may grant other degrees, other than the academic degrees conferred by authority of the Holy See, it is necessary that:

1. the Congregation for Catholic Education has given its nihil obstat for the conferral of the degree in question;

2. the respective Plan of Studies establishes the nature of the degree, indicating expressly that it is not an academic degree conferred by authority of the Holy See;

3. the Diploma itself declares that the degree is not conferred by authority of the Holy See.

Section VIII

Didactic Facilities 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 53-56)

Article 42. The University or Faculty must have lecture halls which are truly functional and worthy and suited to the teaching of the various disciplines and to the number of students.

Article 43. There must be a library open for consultation, in which are available the principal works required for the scientific work of both teachers and students.

Article 44. Library norms are to be established in such a way that access and use are made particularly easy for teachers and students.

Article 45. Cooperation and coordination between libraries of the same city and region should be fostered.

Section IX

Financial Administration 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 57-60)

Article 46. § 1. To provide for continuous good administration, the academic authorities must inform themselves at set times about the financial situation and they must provide for careful, periodic audits.

§ 2. The Rector or President is to transmit an annual report to the Chancellor on the economic situation of the University or Faculty.

Article 47. § 1. Suitable ways should be found so that tuition fees do not prevent access to academic degrees for intellectually gifted students who give good hope of one day being most useful to the Church.

§ 2. Therefore care must be taken to set up for the students’ benefit particular forms of economic subsidy, funded by the Church, civil authorities or privately.

Section X 
Strategic Planning and Cooperation of Faculties
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 61-67)

Article 48. § 1. In order to undertake the erection of a new University or Faculty, it is necessary that:

a) a true need or usefulness can be demonstrated, which cannot be satisfied by affiliation, aggregation, or incorporation,

b) the necessary prerequisites are present, which are mainly:

1. permanently engaged teachers who in number and quality respond to the nature and demands of a Faculty;

2. a suitable number of students;

3. a library with instruments for scientific work, and lecture halls;

4. economic means really sufficient for a University or Faculty;

c) the Statutes, together with the Plan of Studies, be presented, which are to be in conformity with this Constitution and with these Norms of Application.

§ 2. The Congregation for Catholic Education - after listening to the advice both of the Bishops’ Conference and of the diocesan or eparchial Bishop, mainly from the pastoral viewpoint, and next of experts, principally from nearby Faculties, mainly from the scientific viewpoint - will decide about the suitability of a new erection.

Article 49. When, on the other hand, the approval of a University or Faculty is undertaken, this is to be done:

a) after the consent of both the Bishops’ Conference and of the diocesan or eparchial Bishop has been obtained;

b) after the conditions stated in article 48, § 1, under b) and c) are fulfilled.

Article 50. The conditions for affiliation regard, above all, the number and qualification of teachers, the Plan of Studies, the library, and the duty of the affiliating Faculty to help the institution being affiliated. Therefore, it is usually required that the affiliating Faculty and the affiliated Institute be in the same country or cultural region.

Article 51. § 1. Aggregation is the linking of some Institute with a Faculty, and embraces only the first and second cycles, for the purpose of granting the corresponding academic degrees through the Faculty.

§ 2. Incorporation is the insertion of some Institute into a Faculty, which embraces either the second or third cycle or both, for the purpose of granting the corresponding academic degrees through the Faculty.

§ 3. Aggregation and incorporation cannot be granted unless the Institute is adequately equipped to pursue those specific academic degrees, in such a way that there is a well-founded hope that, through the connection with the Faculty, the desired ends will be achieved.

Article 52. § 1. Cooperation is to be fostered among the Ecclesiastical Faculties themselves by means of teacher exchanges, mutual communication of scientific work, and the promoting of common research for the benefit of the People of God.

§2. Cooperation with other Faculties, even non-Catholic ones, should be promoted, care always however being taken to preserve one’s own identity. 

 

PART TWO

SPECIAL NORMS

Section I
Faculty of Theology 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 69-76)

Article 53. The theological disciplines are to be taught in such a way that their organic connection is made clear and that light be shed upon the various aspects or dimensions that pertain intrinsically to the nature of sacred doctrine. The chief ones are the biblical, patristic, historical, liturgical, and pastoral dimensions. The students are to be led to a deep grasp of the material, at the same time as they are led to form a personal synthesis, to acquire a mastery of the method of scientific research, and thus to become able to explain sacred doctrine appropriately.

Article 54. In presenting doctrine, those norms are to be followed which are in the documents of the Second Vatican Council,[109] as well as those found in more recent documents of the Holy See[110] insofar as these pertain to academic studies.

Article 55. The obligatory disciplines are:

1. In the first cycle:

a) - The philosophical disciplines needed for theology, which are above all systematic philosophy and the history of philosophy (ancient, medieval, modern, contemporary). Besides a general introduction, the systematic teaching must include the main areas of philosophy: 1) metaphysics (understood as philosophy of being and natural theology), 2) philosophy of nature, 3) philosophy of man, 4) moral and political philosophy, 5) logic and philosophy of knowledge.

- Excluding the human sciences, the strictly philosophical disciplines (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 66, 1, a) must constitute at least 60% of the number of credits in the first two years. Each year must include a number of credits suited to one year of full-time university studies.

- It is highly preferable that the philosophy courses be concentrated in the first two years of philosophical-theological formation. Within this two-year period, these philosophical studies, which are undertaken in view of theology studies, will be integrated with the introductory theology courses.

b) the theological disciplines, namely:

• Sacred Scripture: introduction and exegesis;
• fundamental theology, which also includes reference to ecumenism, non-Christian religions, and atheism, as well as other currents of contemporary culture;
• dogmatic theology;
• moral and spiritual theology;
• pastoral theology;
• liturgy;
• Church history, patrology, archaeology;
• Canon law.

c) the auxiliary disciplines, namely, some of the sciences of man and, besides Latin, the biblical languages insofar as they are required for the following cycles.

2. In the second cycle: the particular disciplines established in various sections, according to the diverse specializations offered, along with the practical exercises and seminars, including a special written dissertation.

3. In the third cycle: the Plan of Studies is to determine if particular disciplines are to be taught and which ones, together with practical exercises and seminars, as well as what ancient and modern languages the student must be able to understand to be able to write his or her thesis.

Article 56. In the five-year basic cycle, diligent care must be exercised that all the disciplines are taught with order, fullness, and with correct method, so that the student receives harmoniously and effectively a solid, organic, and complete basic instruction in theology, which will enable him either to go on to the next cycle’s higher studies or to exercise some office in the Church.

Article 57. The number of professors who teach philosophy must be at least three, who have the required degrees in philosophy (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 19 and 67 § 2). They must be permanent, i.e. dedicated full-time to the teaching of philosophy and to research in that field.

Article 58. Besides examinations or equivalent tests for each discipline, at the end of the first and of the second cycle there is to be a comprehensive examination or equivalent test, so that the student proves that he or she has fully achieved the scientific formation intended by the respective cycle.

Article 59. It belongs to the Faculty to determine under what conditions students who have completed the curriculum of studies in philosophy and theology in a major seminary or in some other approved institute of higher learning may be admitted into the second cycle, taking careful account of their previous studies and, where necessary, prescribing special courses and examinations.

Section II

Faculty of Canon Law 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 77-80)

Article 60. In a Faculty of Canon Law, whether Latin or Oriental, there must be a careful setting forth both of the history and texts of ecclesiastical laws and of their disposition and connection, as well as their theological foundations.

Article 61. The following disciplines are obligatory:

1. In the first cycle

a) elements of philosophy: philosophical anthropology, metaphysics, ethics;

b) elements of theology: an introduction to Sacred Scripture; fundamental theology; the transmission and credibility of divine revelation; Trinitarian theology; Christology; divine grace; in a special way, ecclesiology; general and special sacramental theology; fundamental and special moral theology;

c) fundamental canonical structures (institutiones generales) of canon law;

d) Latin.

2. In the second cycle

a) The books of the Code of Canon Law or the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, in all their parts, and the other norms in force;

b) Related disciplines: the theology of canon law; the philosophy of law; fundamental concepts of Roman law; elements of civil law; the history of the fundamental canonical structures of canon law; the history of the sources of canon law; the relationship between the Church and civil society; canonical administrative and judicial praxis;

c) an introduction to the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches for students at a Latin Faculty of Canon Law; and introduction to the Code of Canon Law for students at an Oriental Faculty of Canon Law;

d) Latin;

e) the optional courses, exercises and seminars as required by each faculty.

3. In the third cycle

a) canonical Latin

b) optional courses or exercises as required by each faculty.

Article 62. § 1. Students who successfully completed the philosophical-theological curriculum in a major seminary or in a theological faculty can be admitted immediately into the second cycle, unless the Dean deems it necessary or opportune, prior to their admittance, to require that they take a preliminary course in Latin or in the fundamental concepts of canon law.

Students who prove they have studied some of the subjects of the first cycle at an appropriate faculty or university-level institute may be dispensed from them.

§ 2. Students who hold an academic degree in civil law may be dispensed from some courses of the second cycle (such as Roman law and civil law), but may not be exempt from the three-year curriculum of studies for the Licentiate.

§ 3. After completing the second cycle, students must know Latin in such a way as to be able to understand thoroughly the Code of Canon Law and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, as well as the other canonical documents. In the third cycle, as well as the knowledge of Latin necessary so that they can interpret correctly the sources of law, they must also know the other languages necessary for writing their dissertation.

Article 63. Besides examinations or equivalent tests for each discipline, at the end of the second cycle there is to be a comprehensive examination or equivalent test, whereby the student proves that he or she has fully received the scientific formation demanded by the second cycle.

Section III

Faculty of Philosophy
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 81-84)

Article 64. § 1. The research and teaching of philosophy in an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy must be rooted in the “philosophical patrimony which is perennially valid”,[111] which has developed throughout the history, with special attention being given to the work of Saint Thomas Aquinas. At the same time, the philosophy taught in an Ecclesiastical Faculty must be open to the contributions that more recent research has provided and continues to offer. One must emphasize the sapiential and metaphysical dimensions of philosophy.

§ 2. In the first cycle, philosophy is to be taught in such a way that the students in the basic cycle will come to a solid and coherent synthesis of doctrine, will learn to examine and judge the different systems of philosophy, and will also gradually become accustomed to personal philosophical reflection.

§ 3. If students of the first cycle of theological studies attend first-cycle courses in the Faculty of Philosophy, care must be taken to safeguard the specific nature of the content and purpose of each educational track. At the end of the philosophical formation, an academic degree in philosophy is not awarded (q.v. V.G., art. 74 a), but the students can ask for a certificate attesting to the courses they have attended and the credits they have obtained.

§ 4. The formation acquired in the first cycle can be completed in the successive cycle, where one begins to specialize via greater concentration on one area of philosophy and greater dedication of the student to philosophical reflection.

§ 5. It is appropriate to distinguish clearly between, on the one hand, studies in Ecclesiastical Faculties of Philosophy and, on the other hand, the philosophical courses that form an integral part of the studies in a Faculty of Theology or in a major seminary. In an institution which has, at the same time, both an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy and a Faculty of Theology, when the philosophy courses that are part of the five-year first-cycle of theology are taken at the Faculty of Philosophy, the authority who makes decisions regarding the programme is the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, who will make those decisions in conformity with the law in force, and while favouring close collaboration with the Faculty of Philosophy.

Article 65. In the teaching of philosophy, the relevant norms should be observed which are contained in the documents of the Second Vatican Council[112] and in other recent documents of the Holy See concerning academic studies.[113]

Article 66. The disciplines taught in various cycles are:

1. In the first cycle:

a) The obligatory basic subjects:

- A general introduction which aims, in particular, at showing the sapiential dimension of philosophy.

- The main philosophical disciplines: 1) metaphysics (understood as philosophy of being and natural theology), 2) philosophy of nature, 3) philosophy of man, 4) moral and political philosophy, 5) logic and philosophy of knowledge. Given the particular importance of metaphysics, an adequate number of credits must be accorded to this discipline.

- The history of philosophy: ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary. Careful examination of the various currents of thought are to be accompanied, when possible, by the reading of texts of the more important authors. Depending on requirements, a study of local philosophies is to be added.

The obligatory basic subjects must constitute at least 60% and must not exceed 70% of the number of credits of the first cycle.

b) The supplementary obligatory subjects:

- A study of the relationship between reason and Christian faith – that is, between philosophy and theology – from a systematic and historical point of view, paying attention to safeguarding both the autonomy of each field as well as their interconnection.

- Latin, so as to be able to understand the philosophical works (especially of Christian authors) written in that language. The student’s knowledge of Latin must be verified within the first two years.

- A modern language other than one’s mother-tongue, the knowledge of which must be verified before the end of the third year.

- An introduction to the methodology of study and of scientific research, which serves also as an introduction to the use of research tools and the practice of disputation.

c) The optional additional subjects:

- Principles of literature and the arts;

- Principles of some of the human sciences or some of the natural sciences (for example, psychology, sociology, history, biology or physics). In a particular way, care must be taken to establish a connection between the sciences and philosophy.

- Some other optional philosophical disciplines: for example, philosophy of science, philosophy of culture, philosophy of art, philosophy of technology, philosophy of language, philosophy of law or philosophy of religion.

2. In the second cycle:

- some special disciplines established in various sections, according to the diverse specializations offered, along with practical exercises and seminars, including special Licentiate dissertation.

- Beginners or advanced ancient Greek, or a second modern language other than that required for the first cycle or an advanced study of the same.

3° In the third cycle:

The Plan of Studies of the Faculty is to determine if special disciplines are to be taught and which ones, together with the practical exercises and seminars. It is necessary to acquire a knowledge of another language, or to acquire an advanced knowledge of one of the languages previously studied.

Article 67. § 1. The faculty must employ, on a full-time basis, at least seven duly qualified teachers, who thus can ensure the teaching of each of the obligatory basic subjects (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 66, 1; art. 48, § 1, b).

In particular, the first cycle must have at least five permanent teachers allotted as follows: one in metaphysics, one in philosophy of nature, one in philosophy of man, one in moral philosophy and politics, one in logic and philosophy of knowledge.

For the other obligatory and optional subjects, the faculty can ask the help of other teachers.

§ 2. A teacher is qualified to teach in an Ecclesiastical institution if he or she has obtained the necessary academic degrees from an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 19).

§ 3. If the teacher possess neither a canonical Doctorate nor a canonical Licentiate, he or she may be appointed as permanent teacher only on the condition that his or her philosophical training is consistent with the content and method that is set forth in an Ecclesiastical Faculty. In evaluating candidates for teaching positions in an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy, the following must be considered: the necessary expertise in their assigned subject; an appropriate openness to the whole of knowledge; adherence, in their publications and teaching, to the truth taught by the faith; an adequately deepened knowledge of the harmonious relationship between faith and reason.

§ 4. It is necessary to ensure always that, in an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy, the majority of permanent teachers holds an ecclesiastical Doctorate in philosophy, or else an ecclesiastical Licentiate in a sacred science together with a Doctorate in philosophy obtained in a non-Ecclesiastical University.

Article 68. In general, so that a student can be admitted to the second cycle in philosophy, it is necessary that he or she has obtained the Ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in philosophy.

If a student has studied philosophy in a non-Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy at a Catholic University or in another Institute of Higher Studies, he or she can be admitted to the second cycle only after having demonstrated, by means of an appropriate examination, that his or her preparation is compatible with that which is set forth in an Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy, and after having filled any gaps with respect to the years and curriculum foreseen for the first cycle as established in the present Norms of Application. The choice of courses must foster a synthesis of the subjects taught (q.v. V.G., art. 82, a). At the end of these supplementary studies, the student will be admitted to the second cycle without receiving the Ecclesiastical Baccalaureate in philosophy.

Article 69. § 1. Given the reform of the three-year first cycle of ecclesiastical philosophical studies, which concludes with the Baccalaureate in philosophy, the philosophical affiliation must be in conformity with what has been decreed for the first cycle regarding the number of years and the Plan of Studies (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 66, 1). The number of permanent teachers in an affiliated Institute of philosophy must be at least five, with the required qualifications (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 67).

§ 2. Given the reform of the two-year second cycle of ecclesiastical philosophical studies, which concludes with the Licentiate in philosophy, the philosophical aggregation must be in conformity with what has been decreed for the first and second cycles regarding the number of years and the Plan of Studies (q.v. V.G., art. 74 a and b; Norms of Appl., art. 66). The number of permanent teachers in an aggregated Institute of philosophy must be at least six, with the required qualifications (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 67).

§ 3. Given the reform of the philosophy course as part of the first cycle of philosophy-theology studies, which concludes with the Baccalaureate in theology, the philosophy formation given in an affiliated Institute of theology must be in conformity with what has been decreed with regard to the Plan of Studies (q.v. Norms of Appl., art. 55, 1). The number of permanent teachers of philosophy must be at least two.

Section IV

Other Faculties 
(Apostolic Constitution, articles 85-87)

Article 70. In order to achieve the goals set down in art. 85 of the Apostolic Constitution, the following faculties or institutions “ad instar Facultatis” have already been erected and authorized to grant degrees by the Holy See itself:

-         Christian Archaeology
-         Bioethics
-         Social Communications
-         Law
-         Christian and Classical Letters
-         Liturgy
-         Missiology
-         Sacred Music
-         Ancient Near Eastern Studies
-         Psychology
-         Educational Sciences
-         Religious Sciences
-         Social Sciences
-         Spirituality
-         Church History
-         Arabic and Islamic Studies
-         Biblical Studies
-         Oriental Studies
-         Studies on Marriage and the Family

His Holiness Pope FRANCIS has approved and ordered to be published each and every one of these Norms of Application, anything to the contrary notwithstanding.

Rome, from the offices of the Congregation for Catholic Education, December 27, 2017, the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist.

Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi
Prefect

Angelo Vincenzo Zani
Titular Archbishop of Volturno
Secretary

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APPENDIX I

Relating to Article 7 of the Norms of Application 
Norms for Drawing Up Statutes of a University or Faculty

Taking into account what is contained in the Apostolic Constitution and in the attached Norms of Application – and leaving to their own internal regulations what is of a particular or changeable nature – the Statutes of a University or Faculty must mainly deal with the following points:

1.     The name, nature and purpose of the University or Faculty (with a brief history in the foreword).
2.     The governance: the Chancellor; the personal and collegial academic authorities and what their exact functions are; how the personal authorities are chosen and how long their term of office is; how the collegial authorities i.e. the members of the Councils are chosen and how long their term is.
3.     The teachers: what the minimum number of teachers is in each Faculty; into which ranks both the permanent and non-permanent are divided; what requisites they must have; how they are hired, appointed, promoted, and how they lose office (describing reasons needed and procedures); their duties and rights.
4.     The students: requisites for enrolment; reasons and procedures for their suspension; their duties and rights.
5.     Officials and administrative and service personnel: their duties and rights.
6.     Academic degrees: what degrees are given in each Faculty and under what conditions; other qualifications granted.
7.     Didactic and information facilities: the library, and how to provide for its maintenance and growth; other forms of didactic assistance and the scientific laboratories, if required.
8.     Financial administration: the financial endowment of the University or Faculty and its administration; norms for paying the leadership, teachers, administrative personnel; student fees; economic assistance for the students.
9.     Relationships with other Faculties and Institutes, etc.

Plan of Studies

1.     What the Plan of Studies is for each Faculty.
2.     What cycles there are.
3.     What disciplines are taught: whether they are obligatory, and how often they are taught.
4.     What seminars and practical exercises there are.
5.     What examinations or equivalent tests there are.
6.     Distance learning, where applicable.

---

APPENDIX II

Relating to Article 70 of the Norms of Application
Sectors of Ecclesiastical Studies according to their Current (2017) Academic Status in the Church

LIST

Note: These individual study Sectors, listed here alphabetically, are currently in existence. Under each of these headings is to be found a grouping of Specializations.
Existing Specializations are to be found in the data-base of Ecclesiastical Institutions of Higher Education, accessible via the web-site www.educatio.va.
Furthermore, the aforementioned data-base includes all Institutions of Higher Education erected or approved by the Congregation for Catholic Education as being part of the educational system of the Holy See.

-       Christian Archaeology
-       Bioethics
-       Social Communications
-       Canon Law
-       Law
-       Philosophy
-       Christian and Classical Letters
-       Liturgy
-       Missiology
-       Sacred Music
-       Ancient Near Eastern Studies
-       Psychology
-       Educational Sciences
-       Religious Sciences
-       Social Sciences
-       Spirituality
-       Church History
-       Arabic and Islamic Studies
-       Biblical Studies
-       Oriental Studies
-       Studies on Marriage and the Family
-       Theology

---

[1] Cf. Augustine, Conf. X, 23.33; I, 1, 1.

[2] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 22.

[3]  Sapientia Christiana, Foreword, III.

[4]  Video Message to Participants in an International Theological Congress held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina , 1-3 September 2015.

[5]  No. 14.

[6]  Ibid., 16.

[7]  Ibid.

[8] Cf. ibid.

[9]  Ibid.,19.

[10]  Ibid., 20.

[11] I.

[12] No. 85.

[13] No. 14.

[14] No. 20.

[15] Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 42.

[16] Cf. ibid., 54; Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 1.

[17] Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 33.

[18] Ibid., 30.

[19] Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Ch. 5.

[20] Ibid., 30.

[21] Cf. Address to the Fifth National Convention of the Italian Church, Florence, 10 November 2015.

[22] Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 55.

[23] Cf. Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 139.

[24] Ibid., 61.

[25] Cf. ibid., 194.

[26] Ibid., 53; cf. No. 105.

[27] Ibid., 114.

[28]  Address to the Community of the Pontifical Gregorian University, together with Members of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Pontifical Oriental Institute, 10 April 2014: AAS 106 (2014), 374.

[29]Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 11; 34ff.; 164-165.

[30]Cf. ibid ., 165.

[31]Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 1

[32]Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 111.

[33] Cf. Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy Misericordiae Vultus, 11 April 2015.

[34]Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 87 and 272.

[35]Ibid ., 92.

[36]Cf. Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 49.

[37] Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, Ch. 4.

[38] PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 52; cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 178.

[39] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 195.

[40]Cf. Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 240.

[41]Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 239.

[42] Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 4.

[43]Foreword, III, cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 62.

[44]Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 74.

[45] No. 31.

[46] Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 134.

[47]  The Idea of a University, Discourse VII, 7.

[48] Cf. Delle cinque piaghe della Santa Chiesa, a cura di A. Valle, (Opere di Antonio Rosmini, vol 56) Città Nuova Ed., Roma 1998 ², Ch. II, passim.

[49] No. 164.

[50] Ibid.

[51]  Video Message to the International Theological Congress held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina “Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires”, 1-3 September 2015.

[52] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 236.

[53] JOHN PAUL II, Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, 6 January 2001, 40.

[54] Ibid.

[55] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 116.

[56]  Catechesis, 26 April 2006.

[57]  Video Message to the International Theological Congress held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina “Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires”, 1-3 September 2015, with reference to Evangelii Gaudium, 115.

[58]  Letter to the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina for the Hundredth Anniversary of the Faculty of Theology, 3 March 2015.

[59] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 227-228.

[60] Foreword, III.

[61] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 133.

[62] Cf. Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 47; Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 50.

[63] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 45.

[64] Ibid., 132.

[65] No. 201.

[66]  Video Message to the International Theological Congress held at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina “Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires”, 1-3 September 2015.

[67] Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’, 202.

[68] Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, 278.

[69] Cf. CIC can. 815.

[70] Cf. CIC can. 817; CCEO can. 648.

[71] Cf. JOHN PAUL II, Apost. Const. Ex Corde Ecclesiae, art. 1, § 2: AAS 82 (1990) 1502.

[72] Cf. CIC can. 816, § 1; CCEO can. 649; JOHN PAUL II, Apost. Const. Pastor Bonus, art. 116, § 2: AAS 80 (1988) 889.

[73] Cf. CIC can. 817 and CCEO can. 648.

[74] Cf. Motu Proprio Sedula Cura: AAS 63 (1971) 665ff. and also the Decree of the PONTIFICAL BIBLICAL COMMISSION Ratio Periclitandae Doctrinae: AAS 67 (1975) 153ff.

[75] Cf. CIC can. 816 § 2; CCEO can. 650.

[76] Cf. CIC cann. 810 § 1 and 818.

[77] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 25 (November 21, 1965): AAS 57 (1965) 29-31; also the Instruction of the CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian Donum Veritatis (May 24, 1990): AAS 82 (1990), 1550-1570.

[78] Cf. CIC can. 833, 7°.

[79] Cf. CIC can. 152; CCEO can. 942.

[80] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 59: AAS 58 (1966) 1080.

[81] Cf. CIC can. 816 § 1; CCEO cann. 648-649.

[82] Cf. CIC can. 820.

[83] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum 24: AAS 58 (1966) 827.

[84] Cf. Instruction of the CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH on the Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian DonumVeritatis, May 24, 1990, AAS 82 (1990) 1552.

[85] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis, 10: AAS 58 (1966) 737; cf. Encyclical Veritatis Splendor (August 6, 1993): AAS 85 (1993) 1133 ff.; Encyclical Fides et Ratio (September 14, 1998): AAS 91 (1999) 5 ff.

[86] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church Ad Gentes, 22: AAS 58 (1966) 973ff.

[87] Cf. Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism: AAS 85 (1993) 1039 ff.

[88] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decree on Priestly Formation Optatam Totius, 15: AAS 58 (1966) 722.

[89] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 43ff.: AAS 58 (1966) 1061ff.

[90] Cf. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, 19-20: AAS 68 (1976) 18f.

[91] Cf. Ibid., 18: AAS 68 (1976) 17f., and also Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spes, 58: AAS 58 (1966) 1079.

[92] SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis, 10: AAS 58 (1966) 737.

[93]AAS 23 (1931) 241.

[94]AAS 42 (1950) 387.

[95]Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis, 10: AAS 58 (1966) 737.

[96]Ibid.

[97]Ibid., 11: AAS 58 (1966) 738.

[98] Cf. Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spe s, 62: AAS 58 (1966) 1083.

[99]Pope John XXIII, Allocution at the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council: AAS 54 (1962) 792; cf. also Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World Gaudium et Spe s, 62: AAS 58 (1966) 1083.

[100]POPE PAUL VI, Letter “Le transfert à Louvain - la – Neuve” to the Rector of the Catholic University of Louvain, September 13, 1975 (L’Osservatore Romano, September 22-23, 1975). Cf. POPE JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Redemptor Hominis, 19: AAS 71 (1979) 305ff.

[101] Cf. Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis, 11: AAS 58 (1966) 738.

[102] Cf. CIC can. 833, 7°.

[103] Cf. Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993), nn. 191 ff.: AAS 85 (1993), 1107 ff.

[104] Cf. Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993), n. 192: AAS 85 (1993), 1107-8.

[105] Cf. Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism (1993), n. 195: AAS 85 (1993), 1109.

[106] Cf. CIC cann. 1732-1739; CCEO cann. 996-1006; CIC can. 1445 § 2; JOHN PAUL II, Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus art. 123, AAS 80 (1988) 891-892.

[107] Cf. SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decree on Priestly Formation Optatam Totius, 13: AAS 58 (1966), 721 and the Chirograph of POPE PAUL VI Romani Sermonis: AAS 68 (1976), 481ff.

[108] Cf. CIC can. 816 § 2; CCEO can. 650.

[109]See especially SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum: AAS 58 (1966) 713ff.

[110]See especially the Letter of POPE PAUL VI Lumen Ecclesiae, about St. Thomas Aquinas, of November 20, 1974: AAS 66 (1974) 673ff. Also see the circular letters of the CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION: on the Theological Formation of Future Priests, February 22, 1976, on Canon Law Studies in Seminaries, March 1, 1975; on Philosophical Studies, January 20, 1972; Instruction on Liturgical Formation, June 3, 1979; Instruction on the Means of Social Communication, March 19, 1986; on the Social Doctrine of the Church, December 30, 1988; on the Study of the Fathers of the Church, November 10, 1989; and on Education on Matters regarding Marriage and the Family, March 19, 1995.

[111] Cf. CIC can. 251 and SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decr. Optatam Totius, n. 15.

[112]See especially SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Decree on Priestly Formation Optatam Totius: AAS 58 (1966) 713ff., and the Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis: AAS 58 (1966) 728ff.

[113]See especially the letter of POPE PAUL VI on St. Thomas Aquinas Lumen Ecclesiae of November 20, 1974: AAS 66 (1974) 673ff.; the Circular letter of the CONGREGATION FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION, On the Study of Philosophy in Seminaries, January 20, 1972; POPE JOHN PAUL II, Encyclical Letter Fides et Ratio: AAS 91 (1999) 5 ff.; id., Encyclical Letter Veritatis Splendor: AAS 85 (1993) 1133 ff. – insofar as they also concern academic studies.

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