Editing Pontifical university

{{short description|University established or approved by the Roman Catholic Church}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
A '''pontifical university''' or '''athenaeum''' is an [[ecclesiastical university]] established or approved directly by the [[Holy See]], composed of three main ecclesiastical faculties (Theology, Philosophy and [[canon law (Catholic Church)|Canon Law]]) and at least one other faculty. These academic institutes deal specifically with Christian revelation and related disciplines, and the Church's mission of spreading the [[Gospel]], as proclaimed in the [[apostolic constitution]] ''Sapientia'' ''christiana''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.avepro.va/ |title=AVEPRO |website=avepro.va |access-date=1 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008095947/http://www.avepro.va/ |archive-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2018, they are governed by the apostolic constitution ''[[Veritatis gaudium]]'' issued by Pope Francis on 8 December 2017.

== Quality and ranking ==
Pontifical universities follow a European system of study hour calculation, granting the [[bachelor's degree|baccalaureate]], the [[Licentiate (degree)#Pontifical universities and faculties|licentiate]], and the [[Doctor of Sacred Theology|ecclesiastical doctorate]]. These ecclesiastical degrees are prerequisites to certain offices in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], especially considering that bishop candidates are selected mainly from priests who are [[Doctor of Sacred Theology|doctors]] of sacred theology (S.T.D.) or [[Doctor of Canon Law|canon law (J.C.D.)]] and that ecclesiastical judges and [[canon lawyer]]s must have at least the [[Licentiate of Canon Law]] (J.C.L.).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=The Pontifical Universities |url=https://vatican.com/The-Pontifical-Universities/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519135115/https://vatican.com/The-Pontifical-Universities/ |archive-date=2023-05-19 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=vatican.com}}</ref>

In 2003 the [[Holy See]] took part in the [[Bologna Process]], a series of meetings and agreements between European states designed to foster comparable quality standards in higher education, and in the "Bologna Follow-up Group". [[Pope Benedict XVI]] established the Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties (AVEPRO), an attempt to promote and develop a culture of quality within the ecclesiastical institutions and enable them to aim in developing internationally valid quality criteria.<ref name="avepro.va" />

Compared to secular universities, which are academic institutions for the study and teaching of a broad range of disciplines, ecclesiastical or pontifical universities are "usually composed of three principal ecclesiastical faculties, [[Roman Catholic theology|theology]], philosophy, and [[canon law (Catholic Church)|canon law]], and at least one other faculty. A pontifical university specifically addresses Christian revelation and disciplines correlative to the evangelical mission of the Church as set out in the [[apostolic constitution]] ''Sapientia christiana''{{-"}}.<ref name="vatican.va">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15041979_sapientia-christiana_en.html |title=Sapientia Christiana (April 15, 1979) {{!}} John Paul II|website=www.vatican.va|access-date=24 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920150336/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15041979_sapientia-christiana_en.html|archive-date=20 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="avepro.va">Agenzia della Santa Sede per la Valutazione e la Promozione della Qualità delle Università e Facoltà Ecclesiastiche (AVEPRO), http://www.avepro.va/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008095947/http://www.avepro.va/ |date=8 October 2012 }}  Accessed 1 November. 2012</ref>

== List of pontifical universities ==

'''Argentina'''
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina]], Buenos Aires

'''Belgium'''
* [[Katholieke Universiteit Leuven]], [[Leuven]]
* [[Université catholique de Louvain]], [[Louvain-la-Neuve]]

'''Bolivia'''
* [[University of Saint Francis Xavier|The Royal and Pontifical Major University of Saint Francis Xavier of Chuquisaca]]

'''Brazil'''
{{main category|Pontifical universities in Brazil}}
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas]], Campinas
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás]], Goiânia
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais]], Belo Horizonte
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo]], São Paulo
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná]], Curitiba
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro]], Rio de Janeiro<ref>[http://www.puc-rio.br/english/aboutpuc/history.html PUC-Rio]</ref>
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul]], Porto Alegre

'''Canada'''
*[[Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies]], Toronto
* [[Regis College, Toronto]]
* [[Saint Paul University]], Ottawa

'''Chile'''
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Chile]], Santiago
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso]], Valparaíso

'''Colombia'''
* [[Pontifical Bolivarian University]], Medellín
* [[Pontifical Xavierian University]], Bogotá

'''Dominican Republic'''
* [[Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra]], Santo Domingo, Santiago de Los Caballeros, and Puerto Plata.

'''Ecuador'''
* [[Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador]], Quito

'''France'''
* [[Institut Catholique de Paris]], Paris
* [[Catholic University of Toulouse|Institut Catholique de Toulouse]], Toulouse

'''Germany'''
* [[Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt]], Eichstätt & Ingolstadt

'''Guatemala'''
* [[Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala]], Guatemala City

'''India'''
* [[Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram|Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram Pontifical Athenaeum]], Bangalore 
* [[Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology|Jnana Deepa, Institute of Philosophy and Theology, Pontifical Athenaeum]], Pune

'''Ireland'''
* [[St Patrick's College, Maynooth]], Maynooth; Pontifical University charter 1896<ref>[https://maynoothcollege.ie/about Pontifical University St. Patrick's College Maynooth]</ref>
Can grant pontifical degrees.
* The Irish Dominican House of Studies (Studium) can grant pontifical degrees from the Angelicum, since 1971, originally from St. Mary's Priory but since 2000 from [[St. Saviour’s Priory, Dublin#Studium|St. Saviour's Priory]], Dublin.

'''Italy'''
{{Main|Pontifical universities in Rome}}
(Pontifical Institutes and Faculties are listed in the [[Ecclesiastical university#Italy|Ecclesiastical Universities]] article, while here are the Pontifical Universities and Atheneum.)
* [[Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm]] (Anselmianum), Rome
* [[Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum|Pontifical Athenaeum Queen of the Apostles]] (Regina Apostolorum), Rome
* [[Pontifical Gregorian University]] (Gregoriana), Rome
* [[Pontifical Lateran University]] (Lateranensis), Rome
* [[Pontifical University of the Holy Cross]] (Santa Croce), Rome
* [[Pontifical University of St. Anthony]] (Antonianum), Rome
* [[Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas]] (Angelicum), Rome
* [[Pontifical Urbaniana University]] (Urbaniana), Rome
* [[Salesian Pontifical University]] (Salesiana), Rome

'''Ivory Coast'''
* [[Université Catholique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest]], Abidjan

'''Kenya'''
* [[Catholic University of Eastern Africa]], Nairobi

'''Lebanon'''
* [[Holy Spirit University of Kaslik]], Kaslik
* [[Saint Joseph University]], Beirut

'''Mexico'''
* [[Pontifical University of Mexico]], Mexico City
* [[Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico]]

'''Montenegro'''
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Montenegro]], Kotor
* [[Pontifical College of Benedict XVI]], Nikšić

'''Panama'''
* [[Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua]], Panama City

'''Paraguay'''
* [[Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción]], Asuncion

'''Peru'''
* [[University of San Marcos|Royal and Pontifical University of San Marcos]] (UNMSM)
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Peru]], Lima

'''Philippines'''
* [[University of Santo Tomas|The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas]], Manila

'''Poland'''
* [[Pontifical University of John Paul II]], Krakow

'''Portugal'''
* [[Catholic University of Portugal]], Lisbon

'''Puerto Rico'''
* [[Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico]], Ponce

'''Spain'''<ref>[http://www.educatio.va/content/cec/it/istituzioni---facolta.html Voice:Europe/Spain]</ref>
* [[Comillas Pontifical University]], Madrid
* [[Pontifical University of Salamanca]], Salamanca & Madrid
* [[University of Navarra]], Pamplona

'''Ukraine'''
* [[Superior Institute of Religious Sciences of St. Thomas Aquinas]], Kyiv; since 1992. An institution of higher education in Kyiv (Ukraine), conducted by the Dominican Friars of the Vicariate General of Ukraine and affiliated to the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).

'''United Kingdom'''
* Mater Ecclesiae College, [[St Mary's University, Twickenham]], London; since 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/news/2019/09/mater-ecclesiae-college-st-marys| title=Mater Ecclesiae College – Ecclesiastical Faculties at St Mary's University}}</ref>

'''United States'''
* [[Catholic University of America]], Washington, DC
* [[Pontifical College Josephinum]], [[Columbus, Ohio]]

'''Uruguay'''
* [[Universidad Católica del Uruguay Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga]], Montevideo

===Former pontifical universities===
* [[Heidelberg University]], Heidelberg, Germany, until the [[German Reformation]] in 1518
* [[Leipzig University]], Leipzig, Germany, until the German Reformation in 1518
* [[University of Lund|Lund Studium Generale]], Lund, Sweden, until the [[Danish Reformation]]<ref>Denmark ruled Lund till the [[Great Northern War]]; Andrina Stiles (1992), ''Sweden and the Baltic, 1523–1721'', London:  Hodder & Stoughton.</ref>
* [[National University of Córdoba|Royal and Pontifical University of Córdoba]], Córdoba, Argentina, until 1856, during the presidency of [[Justo José de Urquiza]]
* [[Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico]], Mexico City, Mexico, until the [[Mexican War of Independence]]
* [[Sapienza University of Rome]], Rome, Italy, until the [[Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy]] in 1870. 
* [[Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva]], Havana, Cuba, until its closure in 1961, after the [[Cuban Revolution]]
* [[Universidad de San Ignacio]], Manila, Philippines, until 1768, after the [[Expulsion of the Jesuits]]
* [[Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino]], Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (then in Haiti), until 1823, during the [[Unification of Hispaniola]]
* [[King's College, Aberdeen|University of Aberdeen]], Old Aberdeen, Scotland, until the [[Scottish Reformation]]
* [[University of Cambridge]], Cambridge, England, until the [[English Reformation]]
* [[University of Cologne]], Cologne, Germany, until the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]
* [[University of Copenhagen]], Copenhagen, Denmark, until the [[Danish Reformation]]
* [[University of Erfurt]], until the [[German Reformation]]
* [[University of Freiburg]], until the [[suppression of the Society of Jesus]]
* [[University of Glasgow]], Glasgow, Scotland, until the Scottish Reformation
* [[University of Greifswald]], Greifswald, Germany, until the German Reformation
* [[University of Mainz]], until the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]
* [[University of Oxford]], Oxford, England, until the English Reformation
* [[University of Paris]], Paris, France, until the [[French Revolution]] in 1793
* [[University of Rostock]], Rostock, Germany, until the German Reformation
* [[University of Saint Andrews]], Saint Andrews, Scotland, until the Scottish Reformation
* [[National University of San Marcos|University of San Marcos]], Lima, Peru, until the [[Peruvian War of Independence]]
* [[University of Tübingen]], until the German Reformation
* [[University of Wittenberg]], until the German Reformation
* [[University of Würzburg]], Würzburg, Germany, until the [[Napoleonic Wars]]
* [[Uppsala University]], Uppsala, Sweden, until the [[Swedish Reformation]]
* [[Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy]], Dublin, Ireland. Pontifical Athenaeum (1968-2015)
* [[Heythrop College, University of London]]; Bellarmine Institute, London, United Kingdom, until its closure 2018
* [[Pontifical College of Saint Pius X of Đà Lạt]], Đà Lạt, Việt Nam; officially closed in 1977 after the [[Fall of Saigon]], confiscated by the government in 1980<ref>{{cite web |title=KỶ YẾU GIÁO HOÀNG HỌC VIỆN THÁNH PIÔ X ĐÀ LẠT - 50 năm nhìn lại (1958-2008) |url=http://ghhv.quetroi.net/01KYGHHV/kyyeuGHHV.pdf |website=GIÁO HOÀNG HỌC VIỆN THÁNH PIÔ X ĐÀLẠT, VIỆT NAM |access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref>

==Pontifical faculties==
{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2021}}
* Pontifical Faculty of Philosophy and Theology, [[Heiligenkreuz Abbey]], Heiligenkreuz
* Theological Faculty, [[Catholic-Theological Private University Linz]], Linz
* Facoltà di Teologia di Lugano, Lugano<ref>Offers the S.T.B., according to {{cite web |url=http://www.teologialugano.ch/gradi-accademici.html |title=Gradi accademici |language=it |publisher=Faculty of Theology |place=Lugano, Switzerland |access-date=4 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816205353/http://www.teologialugano.ch/gradi-accademici.html |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Marianum]] Theological Faculty, Rome
* Pontifical Faculty at the [[University of Saint Mary of the Lake]] (Mundelein Seminary), Mundelein, IL
* Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (PFIC), [[Dominican House of Studies]], Washington, DC
* [[School of Theology and Religious Studies]], [[The Catholic University of America]], Washington, DC<ref>[https://trs.catholic.edu/about-us/pontifical-status/index.html Pontifical Status, CUA]</ref>
* Wedabhakti Pontifical Faculty of Theology, [[Sanata Dharma University]], Yogyakarta

==Pontifical colleges==
{{Main|Roman Colleges}}
A number of national [[Roman Colleges]] designated as Pontifical Colleges serve primarily as residence halls for seminarians sent by the bishops of a particular country to study there, such as the [[Belgian Pontifical College]]. They may also provide housing for priests pursuing advanced degrees. Students may take classes at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University|Gregorian]], the [[Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas|Angelicum]] or other universities in Rome. In addition, other members of the clergy may reside there when in Rome.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Catholicism|Schools}} 
* [[Catholic university]]
* [[Doctor of Canon Law]]
* [[Ecclesiastical university]]
* [[Licentiate of Sacred Theology]]
* [[List of Roman Catholic seminaries]]
* [[Pontifical universities in Rome]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{cite book |title=Catholic Almanac 2010 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781592766147 |url-access=registration |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781592766147/page/546 546–550] |publisher=Our Sunday Visitor |year=2010 |editor=Matthew Bunson}}

{{Pontifical universities in Rome}}
{{Papacy}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Pontifical universities| ]]
[[Category:Catholic seminaries| ]]
[[Category:Catholic universities and colleges]]
[[Category:Types of university or college]]