An idea of a Catholic University
Canon law
Catholic Universities and Other Institutes of Higher Studies
- Can. 807
- The Church has the right to erect and direct universities, which contribute to a more profound human culture, the fuller development of the human person, and the fulfillment of the teaching function of the Church.
- Can. 808
- Even if it is in fact Catholic, no university is to bear the title or name of Catholic university without the consent of competent ecclesiastical authority.
- Can. 809
- If it is possible and expedient, conferences of bishops are to take care that there are universities or at least faculties suitably spread through their territory, in which the various disciplines are studied and taught, with their academic autonomy preserved and in light of Catholic doctrine.
- Can. 810
- §1. The authority competent according to the statutes has the duty to make provision so that teachers are appointed in Catholic universities who besides their scientific and pedagogical qualifications are outstanding in integrity of doctrine and probity of life and that they are removed from their function when they lack these requirements; the manner of proceeding defined in the statutes is to be observed.
- §2. The conferences of bishops and diocesan bishops concerned have the duty and right of being watchful so that the principles of Catholic doctrine are observed faithfully in these same universities.
- Can. 811
- §1. The competent ecclesiastical authority is to take care that in Catholic universities a faculty or institute or at least a chair of theology is erected in which classes are also given for lay students.
- §2. In individual Catholic universities, there are to be classes which especially treat those theological questions which are connected to the disciplines of their faculties.
- Can. 812
- Those who teach theological disciplines in any institutes of higher studies whatsoever must have a mandate from the competent ecclesiastical authority.
- Can. 813
- The diocesan bishop is to have earnest pastoral care for students, even by erecting a parish or at least by designating priests stably for this, and is to make provision that at universities, even non-Catholic ones, there are Catholic university centers which give assistance, especially spiritual assistance, to youth.
- Can. 814
- The prescripts established for universities apply equally to other institutes of higher learning.
Profession of Faith
- Can. 833
- The following are personally bound to make a profession of faith, according to the formula approved by the Apostolic See in the presence of the Chancellor or, in the absence of the Chancellor, the local Ordinary, or the delegates of either:
- the rector of an ecclesiastical or catholic university, at the beginning of the term of office--in the presence of the rector if he is a priest, or of the local Ordinary or the delegates of either;
- those who in any universities teach subjects which deal with faith or morals, at the beginning of their term of office; ...
Ex corde ecclesiae
"Apostolic Constitution of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II on Catholic Universities," 15 August 1990.
The virtuous life
- St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (1769-1852), Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- ‎"You may dazzle the mind with a thousand brilliant discoveries of natural science; you may open new worlds of knowledge which were never dreamed of before; yet, if you have not developed in the soul of the pupil strong habits of virtue which will sustain her in the struggle of life, you have not educated her, but only ...put in her hand a powerful instrument of self-destruction."