A short history of the Faculty Of Theology

The Facultas Sacrae Theologiae in the old University (1432-1797)

During the late Middle Ages, it was not common practice to allow the establishment of a faculty of theology except at those universities that had given proof of their worth. As a result, theology was not included among the faculties of the University at Leuven in 1425. In 1432, however, Pope Eugene IV issued the bull In apostolicae dignitatis which allowed the Alma Mater to add a fifth faculty, that of Theology. Beginning with an academic staff recruited from the universities of Paris and Cologne, the Faculty soon had five professors-in-ordinary. The Faculty flourished throughout the sixteenth century and its theologians became quite respected and were influential in the theological debates of their day. Adrian of Utrecht, for example, later to become Pope Adrian VI, studied at Leuven, became a professor of theology, and also rector of the University. (As a tribute to his Alma Mater, Adrian bequeathed his home to the students of theology at Leuven. This college of Pope Adrian VI, in the immediate vicinity of the Faculty of Theology, is now used as a student residence).

In 1519 the Collegium Trilingue was founded as an independent institute for the study of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Erasmus of Rotterdam, the eminent humanist, was among those who contributed to this venture. Although the study of sacred texts in their original language did not find immediate acceptance within the University, it soon proved to be the beginning of a long tradition in the philological approach to exegesis. The rapid development of the University slowed during the 17th and 18th centuries as a result of the unstable political situation of the Netherlands. The southern Netherlands were subjected to various forms of foreign domination and devastating warfare. Unfortunately, all this was but a prelude to total catastrophe. Having overrun the country in 1794, the French Republic judged the University to be out of step with Republican principles and decided to close it in 1797. Three hundred and sixty-five years of history had come to an end, but the University was soon to be an active force once again.

The Facultas Theologica in the new University (1834-1969)

1830 saw the birth of Belgium as an independent nation. The University was re-established in 1834 and included a restored Faculty of Theology. Originally, this Faculty was intended as a place for continued and specialized study. It was oriented towards students who had completed four years of theology in the seminary. This concentration on students with advanced standing provided a stress on academic proficiency which remains to this day. The final decade of the 19th century proved to be especially favourable for the development of the Faculty. In 1898, a Schola Minor was created to provide preliminary theological training. In the general atmosphere of renewal, characteristic of the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII, the theologians of Leuven strove for greater scholastic achievement. The methodology which would insure the Faculty's renown, i.e., the close association of positive research and speculative theology, was further developed and brought to fruition in each of the disciplines of theological research. A first step was taken in 1889 with the creation of a course entitled Critical History of the Old Testament, taught by Albin Van Hoonacker. This course was one of the first attempts to apply the historical method to biblical texts. The appointment of Albert Cauchie as professor of Church History six years later was to have an even more decisive influence on the renewal of methodology and spirit within the Faculty. Cauchie, who founded the Revue d'histoire ecclésiastique in 1900, was the inspiration of a scientific approach in the fields of exegesis (as illustrated by the publications of Lucien Cerfaux and Joseph Coppens), patristics (with the work of Joseph Lebon, the founder of Spicilegium Sacrum Lovaniense, and of René Draguet, the dynamic director of the Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium) and Church history (as seen in the efforts of Albert De Meyer who, in 1928, took over the direction of the Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques). The launching of a new theological journal, the Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses in 1923 and the inauguration of the Colloquium Biblicum Lovaniense after the Second World War, also increased the reputation of the Faculty and bore witness to the continuation of its exegetical tradition. The Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium publishes, among many other items, the proceedings of the biblical colloquia. Louvain theologians had a special role to play in the deliberations at Vatican II, working with both the Belgian bishops and with their former students, the latter being represented in great number among the Council fathers. One Louvain theologian, Msgr. Gerard Philips, was especially prominent in the deliberations which led to the formulation of the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium. True to the spirit of the Council, the years following Vatican II witnessed an attempt by the university's theologians to enter even more vigorously into dialogue with scientists and all others who apply themselves to the study of the human condition, in the hope of developing a theological language faithful to tradition and in touch with the mentality and situation of modern times.

The Faculty of Theology (1969-2011)

From the beginning of the 19th century courses at the University were given only in French. In order to meet the demands of the Dutch-speaking Flemish community, however, courses began to be given in Dutch from 1911 onwards. By 1936, most courses were being taught both in Flemish and in French. Since the traditional language of the Theology Faculty was Latin, the linguistic problem that eventually led to the division of most faculties of the University did not at first affect the Theology department. When in 1969 the decision was taken to create a Faculté de Théologie de langue française, its counterpart became the Flemish Faculteit Godgeleerdheid, established in the heart of the Dutch-speaking Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. At this new start of the Faculteit Godgeleerdheid, it was decided to organize a full Theology programme with English as the official language. This decision led to the formation of the Programmes in English. This initiative was taken not only on the basis of the already existing cordial relations with the English-speaking world and the presence of an international student population, but also as the result of a desire to serve the needs of the churches in those countries which had not yet established programmes of theological studies at the university level. The programmes of both the Flemish and the English Theology departments were revised in compliance with the Normae worked out by the Sacra Congregatio pro Institutione Catholica. The Schola Minor (a four year programme) was replaced by a three year first cycle programme, leading to the Bachelor's Degree in Theology. The Master's and Doctoral programmes now offer specializations in the fields of Biblical Exegesis, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, History of Church and Theology and Pastoral Theology. The Faculty enjoys excellent contacts with institutions for theological research and formation throughout the world. The Missionary Institute of London has been affiliated with our Faculty since 1972, the four Major Seminaries of the Flemish dioceses since 1974. More recently, they have been joined by Oscott College in Birmingham and Allen Hall in London. Many institutions in all of the continents have Louvain alumni and alumnae among their staff, and many graduates have assumed important functions in the Church and in christian organizations.

The faculty of Theology and Religious Studies (since 2011)

Since its start in 1432, our faculty has always tried to anticipate the local and international context and to find a balance between academy, church and society. This is still the case today. In the last few decades we have made room for other scientific approaches of religion, for getting to know other religions and religious movements and for oecumenical and interreligious dialogue in our theological research and teaching. In doing so, we we have been able to maintain and reinforce our role of pioneer in the theological landscape. This interdisciplinarity, which is essential for theology, is clearly appreciated. The number of researchers as well as of international students has increased the last few years, while the number of Dutch speaking students has remained the same.

The faculty name change in 2011 does not announce a radical change of course. On the contrary, the new name reflects exactly what we stand for today and which programmes we offer our students and researchers. From an international point of view, the name is an obvious and recognizable choice.