Ecumenical Catholicity: The Old Catholic Witness

Description

The course focuses on the ecumenical commitment, witness, highs and lows of ecumenical theology of the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht. These churches are part of an exceptional global communion of communions that includes the European Old Catholic churches, the churches of the Anglican Communion, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, the Philippine Independent Church, and the Church of Sweden. The Old Catholic Churches also maintain a very active role in local, national and international bodies, such as the World Council of the Churches and the Conference of Churches in Europe. 

The key question that the course asks, is how and why this life in ecumenical communion came about and what its impact is on catholic theology in the Old Catholic tradition. Taught by the staff of the Old Catholic Seminary in Utrecht and invited experts, the course answers this query in four ways: 

• by tracking the growth, characteristics and challenges of this worldwide network;
• by exploring the theological and liturgical exchange and enrichment that takes place through life in communion;
• by engaging with dimensions of lived ecumenical catholicity in praxis are explored in relation to churches and communities in Utrecht and beyond;
• by giving attention to the missionary, diaconal, and public theological aspects of being church in ecumenical communion.  

The course is shaped as an ecumenical community of learners, with ample opportunity for informal exchange and fellowship and for exploring the ancient episopal city of Utrecht with its rich history. 

The course is suitable for those with a grounding in Old Catholic theology, either through attending the course ‘Old Catholic Theology in Its Ecumenical Context’ or studies of Old Catholic theology in other settings. In case of doubt, please contact the course director, prof. dr. Peter-Ben Smit, p.b.a.smit@uu.nl.  To combine both courses you can apply to the track Old Catholic Theology: Contexts and Calling which will give you a reduction of €50 on the total costs.

Lecturers

• Rev. Dr. Mattijs Ploeger - Systematic theology and liturgical studies
• The Rt. Rev. Dr. Dirk Jan Schoon - Church History
• Rev. Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit - Ecumenical Theology
• Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs - Old Catholic and Ecumenical Theology
• The Most Rev. Dr. Joris Vercammen​ - Archbishop Emeritus of Utrecht

Target audience

• Students of theology interested in Old Catholicism and ecumenism;
• Clergy and theologians interested in Old Catholicism and ecumenism;
• Laypersons with formal or informal theological training interested in Old Catholicism and ecumenism.

The course is of specific interest to students from Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic, and ecumenical backgrounds.

Aim of the course

Upon completing the course:

• Students will be familiar with the historical emergence of Old Catholic ecumenical commitment and relationships
• Students will have gained insight into the theological dimensions of Old Catholic ecumenism
• Students will be able to relate the historical and ecumenical dimensions of the Old Catholic tradition to their own position

Study load

About four contact hours per day; about 40 hours of preparatory self-study will be required.

Tags

• theology
• old catholic theology
• Utrecht
• Liturgy
• ecumenical
• church
• Old Catholic
• Christianity