This track consists of two connected courses that offer in the first week an introduction to Old Catholic theology in its ecumenical context and in the second week the possibility to deepen your understanding of Old Catholic Theology by in-depth classes related to the subject of Communion. Old Catholic theology is understood as the main theological currents as they exist in the Union of Utrecht of Old Catholic Churches. The courses in the first week will offer a broad overview of main topics and themes in Old Catholic theology and spirituality which will be deepened in the courses of the second week.
The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: the history of Old Catholicism, fundamental and liturgical theology, spirituality, ecumenism, canon law and ecclesiology, liturgy, and systematic theology.
The courses will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology of the Old Catholic Seminary, Utrecht.
The course includes excursions to, among others, a major collection of related religious art (Museum Catharijneconvent). The beginning of the course is marked by attending the Eucharist in St. Gertrud’s Cathedral, facilitating an encounter with ‘lived Old Catholicism’.
Besides the programme of lectures and seminars, social activities will be organised to meet and get to know each other. This, we believe, is important because studying theology is also studying in practice, in relation with the other students from all different contexts.
At the end of the course, students will have a deepened knowledge of, and insight into Old Catholic theology and of the search of being in communion as Old-Catholic Church. You will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflection and research. The course is partly at the introductory level of an M.Div. curriculum and partly at the advanced level of a MA curriculum. Good BA students may also apply, as well as others. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.
This track combines the two courses of Old Catholic Theology in its Ecumenical Context and Old Catholic Theology beyond the Basics: in search of being Church in Communion. For more information about the course you can read the separate course pages. It is also possible to participate in only one of the two weeks.
Copyright picture: Kerkfotografie
Lecturers
- The Rev. Dr. Mattijs Ploeger - Systematic Theology and Liturgical studies
- The Rt. Rev. Dr. Dirk Jan Schoon - Church History
- The Rev. Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit - Ecumenism
- The Rev. Leonie van Straaten, MA - Practical and Ecumenical Theology
- Thelma Schoon, MA - Practical Theology
- Adriaan Snijders, L.L.M - Canon Law
- Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs - Old Catholic and Ecumenical Theology
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:
- The student will be familiar with central aspects of Old Catholic identity and theology;
- The student will be familiar with the key tenets of Old Catholic reflection on communion in theology and history;
- The student will be able to apply this knowledge in theological reflection and research;
- The student will be able to undertake further independent study of aspects of Old Catholic theology.
- The student will be able to contextualize the Old Catholic approach to communion within the broader spectrum of theology and religious studies;
- The student will be able to relate the diverse aspects of communion explored in the course to the own religious tradition or worldview in a dialogical manner.
Study load
Two weeks of which each week has four contact hours per day.
About 60-80 hours of preparatory self-study will be required.
Costs
Additional information
As this course starts on Sunday 2 July 2023, you are welcome to check-in at the Utrecht Summer School accommodation on Saturday 1 July 2023. This is a different arrangement from the other Summer School courses, so please make sure to take a look on the course page for housing information. More information will be presented in the pre-departure document, which all fully registered students will receive in March 2023.
Application
If it is somehow not be possible to organize the summerschool in Utrecht there will be a back-up plan to deliver the summerschool online. There will be a possibility to cancel your application if you only want to attend the summerschool when it takes place in Utrecht.
N.B. there won't be a recording or online livestream if the course takes place on location in Utrecht.
Contact details
Prof. Dr. Peter-Ben Smit | Utrecht University | E-mail: P.B.A.Smit@uu.nl