Courses offered Fall Semester

Survey of the Catholic Tradition

Fr. Dr. Roman Fihas

Study the foundations of Catholic theology, culture, and history under Dr. Peter De Mey, professor of Catholic Theology at the Catholic University of Leuven. Dr. De Mey’s thematic approach to the great breadth of the Catholic tradition leads his students to cover key aspects such as Scriptural Tradition, Eschatology, Ecumenism, Ecclesiology, and the relationship of the Latin and Eastern (Catholic) Churches. Video presentation of the course.

Survey of the Protestant Tradition

Rev. Dr. Ted Campbell

Study the history, development, and variations within the Protestant tradition under Dr. Ted Campbell, professor of Theology at the Perkin’s School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas (USA). This course follows a ‘historical’ progression whereby the course begins with coverage of the origins of the Reformation as well as the variants that followed the Reformation (the Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, and Pietist traditions). This course will also emphasize the role of European Protestantism and its relationship to early stages of modernity and enlightenment as well as the continued development and variation of Protestantism within America and the broader, contemporary world. Video presentation of the course.

History of the Ecumenical Movement

Dr. Taras Kurylets

The twentieth century has been often been described as the ‘century of ecumenism.’ Within this course, students will study the forerunners and origins of the Ecumenical movement as well as the progression of this movement up to the present day. Students will consider the various aspects and ecumenical perspectives that each of the major traditions have contributed to the formation of contemporary Ecumenism. Moreover, this course will cover key movements within the history of ecumenical development such as the establishment of the World Council of Churches, theratification of significant ecclesial communions and agreements, the convening of the Second Vatican Council, and others.VideoPresentation of the course.

Liturgy and Sacraments

Dr. Daniel Galadza

For Christians of Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and many Protestant traditions, liturgy and sacramental understanding are at the very heart of Christian belief, commitment, and faith experience. In this course, taught by Fr. Thadee Barnas, a Benedictine monk of Chevtogne Monastery in Belgium, students will study the role of Liturgical theology within Ecumenical dialogue. This course will specifically focus on the monumental 1982 document, “Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry” (BEM) released by the World Council of Churches as well as the responses from the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions concerning this document.

Orthodox and Oriental Churches in Ecumenical Dialogue

Fr. Dr. Oleh Kindiy

Within the Orthodox world, the ‘split’ between ‘Chalcedonian’ (Orthodox) and ‘Non-Chaceldonian’ (Oriental Orthodox) churches (as referring to those who either accepted (Chalcedonian) or rejected (non-Chaceldonian) the terms of the council of Chaceldon in 451) has long been a point of contention and division. It has only been up to the very recent past in which there has been progress and steps toward reconciliation between these respective churches. Father Ken Yossa, a priest of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church in the United States and Doctor of Theology invites students to study this unique history of division, theological development, and progress toward reconciliation and unity. Video-Presentation of the course.

Bi-Lateral and Multi-Lateral Ecumenical Dialogues

Dr. Pavlo Smytsnyuk

In this course, students will study, in detail, significant and ongoing ecumenical dialogues and agreements on both the bi-lateral (dialogue among two respective traditions) and multi-lateral (discussion and agreement among three or more respective traditions) levels. Throughout the course, students will study the most significant dialogues and agreements among Christian traditions within the contemporary Ecumenical movement. Special attention will be given to ongoing dialogues within the past thirty years. VideoPresentation of the course

Ecumenical Hagiology

(Deacon) Didier Rance

For many Christians, the 20th century has often been referred to as the ‘century of Ecumenism’ as well as the ‘century of Martyrs’. Taking these two descriptions into consideration, Deacon Didier Rance proposes the ‘ecumenical’ role of martyrdom and most importantly, the witness of Christian holiness as found among ‘saints’ from across Christian traditions. Taking much inspiration from the seminal thought of Pope John Paul II on this matter, Deacon Rance invites students to a detailed study of martyrologies and accounts of personal sanctity from across Christian traditions, with special emphasis given to 20th century accounts. Participants within this course will consider the ‘ecumenical potential’ of this very new and promising field of ecumenical research. Video-Presentation of the course.

Christian Social Teaching and its Ecumenical Perspective

Dr. Zinoviy Svereda

The course will introduce you to critical theological reflection on the role of ethics in societies, states and the international community. It tries to combine substantial description and a functional perspective, because CSE is not only interested in foundational issues, but also in the functioning of CSE in social practices. Its domain belongs to theological ethics/moral theology and to practical theology/pastoral theology.