Academic
Bryan Roe and Father Tom Elich in
Liturgy Class.
Intellectual formation has its own characteristics, but it is also deeply connected with, and indeed can be seen as a necessary expression of, both human and spiritual formation: It is a fundamental demand of the human intelligence by which one “participates in the light of God's mind” and seeks to acquire a wisdom which in turn opens to and is directed toward knowing and adhering to God. (PDV # 51)
Through academic formation, the seminarian engages with the tradition of the Catholic Church through his study of Philosophy, Theology and Scripture and the ecclesiastical sciences. His study will cover for example the Fathers of the Church, the Magisterial Documents and the letters and encyclicals of the Holy Father. The Bishops of Queensland have set the required areas of study for an ordinand and these are;
- Scripture
- Theology
- Liturgy
- Church History
- Philosophy
- Ministry and Mission
Seminarians study these courses at Australian Catholic University and at the end of their studies, if successful, are awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Theology. At the end of their pastoral ministerial studies, they are awarded the degree of Graduate Diploma in Ministry.