Old Catholic Theology: Faith, History and Praxis

Description

The topics covered by the course include the following aspects of Old Catholic theology and tradition: The History of Old Catholicism, Spirituality, Ecumenism, and more!

Students will be taught by experts in Old Catholic theology from the faculty at the Old Catholic Seminary, Utrecht. The topics covered by the course include the following: History of Old Catholicism, Old Catholic Spirituality, Ecumenism and Old Catholicism, Old Catholic Canon Law and Ecclesiology, Old Catholic Liturgy, and Old Catholic Systematic Theology.

The course also includes an exploration of religious art in cooperation with the main Dutch museum on this topic, Museum Catharijneconvent. Participants will also engage with Old Catholic liturgy and church music by attending Mass in St. Gertrud’s Cathedral. Because of its succes, the excursion to Amsterdam, where the participants will tour sites of (Old) Catholic history will be offered again this year. Besides lectures and excursions, it will also be possible to participate in social activities, in which you can learn from the knowledge and backgrounds of your fellow students and have a good time together as well.​​

At the end of the course, students will have a broad overview of major topics and themes in Old Catholic theology and spirituality and will be able to pursue further independent study of the subject. The course is at the introductory level of an M.Div. curriculum; good BA students may also apply. Students may be expected to do advance reading for the course.​

More information about the programme and lecturers can be found in the Day-to-day programme that will be uploaded as soon as possible..

This course can be combined with a second week of advanced studies: Ecumenical Catholicity: The Old Catholic Witness. That course is offered in immediate connection with the introductory course. Combining both courses leads to a reduction of the total course fee. You can apply for the combination track: Old Catholic Theology: Contexts and Calling.

Day to Day Documents

I Brochure met day-to-day programme Summerschool - 2025.pdf

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 - Ecumenism;
• The Most Rev. Bernd Wallet, MA - Archbisshop of Utrecht.
• The Rev. Louis Runhaar - Praxis Spirituality​

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 for students from Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Roman Catholic and ecumenical backgrounds.

Aim of the course

Upon completing the course:

1. the student will be familiar with central aspects of Old Catholic identity and theology;
2. the student will be able to contextualize Old Catholic theology within the broader spectrum of theology and religious studies;
3. the student will be able to undertake further independent exploratory studies of specific aspects of Old Catholic theology.

Study load

Four contact hours per day, about 40 hours or preparatory self-study will be required.

Tags

• church
• biblical studies
• theology
• old catholic theology
• Old Catholic
• Utrecht