Catholic Church. Congregatio de Seminariis et Studiorum Universitatibus

Benedict XV (1914-1922), having reviewed the history of seminaries, concluded that the task of overseeing them was too burdensome for the Consistorial Congregation (ID VATV003-A). With his motu proprio Seminaria clericorum (4 Nov 1915) he instituted the Congregation of Seminaries, joined to it the Congregation of Studies (ID VATV024-A), defined its functions, and gave it the new title of Congregatio de Seminariis et Studiorum Universitatibus. All seminaries were to depend on this congregation with the exception of those under the jurisdiction of the Congregations for the Oriental Church (ID VATV416-A) and for the Propagation of the Faith (ID VATV016-A), and those instituted for the formation of religious. Three years later these basic regulations were included in the Code of Canon Law [canon 256 supplemented by canons 1376 and 1377].

Pius XI in his constitution Deus scientiarum Dominus (May 24,1931) reserved to the congregation authority over all seminaries, without prejudice to the rights of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith or of the Congregation for the Oriental Church. The congregation was assigned supreme authority over all Catholic universities or faculties designated as pontifical. However, certain other universities and colleges under Catholic auspices were not subject to this congregation.

The constitution of Paul VI (Regimini Ecclesiae Universae, 15 Aug 1967) changed the name of the congregation to Congregatio pro Institutione Catholica (Congregation for Catholic Education). This newly named congregation was given authority over everything that concerned the formation of the clergy and the education of clergy and laity, without prejudice to the authority of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes over matters that concerned the formation of members of religious orders as such, or the authoirty of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in certain specific areas of the globe.

Pope John Paul II with the apostolic constitution Pastor bonus (28 Jun 1988) once again changed the title of the congregation. It is now known as the Congregation for Seminaries and Institutes of Study.

As under Pope Paul VI, the congregation carries on its work by means of three offices: (1) an office for all matters connected with the direction, discipline, and temporal administration of seminaries and with the education of diocesan clergy, religious, and members of secular institutes; (2) and office for the supervision of Catholic universities, faculties of study, and other institutions of higher learning dependent on the authority of the church, and for the encouragement of cooperation between Catholic institutions and the establishment of Catholic hospices and centers on campuses of non-Catholic institutions; and (3) an office for general questions concerning education and studies for Catholic schools below the college/university level, and for cooperation with conferences of bishops and civil authorities in educational matters.

The congregation also supervises the Pontifical Works for Priestly Vocations founded by Pius XII with his motu proprio Cum Nobis (4 Nov 1941). The Statuto e le Norme (8 Sep 1943) give the guidelines for its application.

To see a general agency history for the Curia Romana, enter "FIN ID VATV214-A"