(VIS) - A press conference was held to present the newly-published Decree on the Reform
of Ecclesiastical Studies of Philosophy Tuesday. Participating in the event were Cardinal
Zenon Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education; Bishop Jean-Louis
Brugues O.P., secretary of the same dicastery, and Fr. Charles Morerod O.P., rector
of Rome's Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). Cardinal Grocholewski
explained how the normative documents concerning ecclesiastical studies - and hence
also philosophy - currently comprehend John Paul II's 1979 Apostolic Constitution
"Sapientia christiana" and its norms of application issued in the same year by the
Congregation for Catholic Education. "Nonetheless", he said, "'Ecclesia semper est
reformanda' in order to respond to the new demands of ecclesial life in changing historical-cultural
circumstances and this also (perhaps especially) involves the academic world". The
reasons for the reform are, the cardinal explained, "on the one hand, the shortcomings
in philosophical formation at many ecclesiastical institutions, where precise points
of reference are lacking especially as regards the subjects to be taught and the quality
of teachers. ... On the other hand there is the conviction - expressed in John Paul
II's 1998 Encyclical 'Fides et ratio' - of the importance of the metaphysical component
of philosophy, ... and the awareness that philosophy is indispensable for theological
formation". For this reason today's decree of the congregation aims to re-evaluate
philosophy, above all in the light of that Encyclical, ... restoring the 'original
vocation' of philosophy; i.e., the search for truth and its sapiental and metaphysical
dimension". The preparation of the text dates back to 2004 when the congregation
established a commission of specialists in philosophy. That commission, possessing
both intellectual and institutional expertise and representative of the principal
linguistic and geographical areas, was charged with presenting a reform project. The
definitive version "was ratified in the Congregation for Catholic Education's ordinary
meeting of 16 June 2010", while Benedict XVI "approved 'in specific form' the modifications
made to the Apostolic Constitution 'Sapientia christiana' and confirmed the rest of
the text 'in common form'. In fact", the cardinal explained, "only three articles
of 'Sapientia christiana' have been reformed while the vast majority of the modifications
concern the congregation's own applicative norms". For his part Bishop Brugues
focused on some of the details of the new reform in ecclesiastical theological faculties,
including the length of the course which from now on will last three years. As regards
the syllabus, "the document adds a subject: ... logic, and in particular highlights
the role of metaphysics", he said. The reform will likewise affect academic staff
who must be full-time and adequately qualified. The reform also concerns the first
cycle of studies in ecclesiastical faculties of theology and affiliated institutes,
defining the duration of formation and explaining that "strictly philosophical disciplines
must constitute at least sixty percent of the number of credits in the first two years".
This condition also holds for affiliated major seminaries. In his remarks the rector
of the Angelicum affirmed that "the study of philosophy helps theologians to an awareness
of their own philosophical criteria, to examine them critically and to avoid imposing
a conceptual framework incompatible with the faith on their theology or preaching.
In order to be correct, critical reflection on philosophical theories must seek the
truth beyond appearances. A non-Christian philosopher can be useful to theology whereas
a Christian philosopher who wishes to prove the existence of God can have the opposite
effect". (VIS)