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.

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