Mission
1. The Episcopal Theological College of Pécs is an institution maintained by the Diocese of Pécs, which aims to train staff for the Diocese and for ecclesiastical institutions in Hungary and abroad, to foster dialogue between theology, other disciplines and contemporary culture, and to play a role in the pastoral mission of the Diocese. To this end, it aims to become a leading intellectual centre in the region, characterised by Christian values, intellectual quality, and social responsibility.
OBJECTIVES
Meeting the needs and challenges of the twenty-first century is one of the fundamental objectives of our College. To achieve this, we are constantly looking at what the world expects and demands of us. In addition to external expectations, we are mindful of our own inner vocation, of the specific value we can bring to the world. In response to this dual expectation, we want to implement a model of higher religious education that can serve as an example for other institutions. To complement and strengthen the training of religious professionals at the College, we are building and operating a vocational college aimed at training Christian leaders to meet the needs of the Diocese of Pécs and the South Transdanubian Region.
The College has taken upon itself the responsibility for the operation and continuous development of the Pécs Catholic University Chaplaincy, thereby contributing to the education of future Christian intellectuals.
- The community of the Theological College of Pécs is made up of citizens who are open to experiencing, growing in and passing on the gospel of Jesus Christ in an academic way. The inspiring experience of the gospel builds up the community of the college, strengthening it in its mission: „What we have seen and heard, we proclaim to you, so that you may also be in communion with us” (1 Jn 1,3).
We strive to deepen the community of teachers, staff and students in the spirit of the gospel and the academic mind.
We work tirelessly to strengthen our relationship with alumni and all those who support the aims of our institution.
- The College prepares students for pastoral, educational and charitable work, with a focus on the physical, spiritual, intellectual and communal dimensions of human existence and on our relationship with the created world. The college culture „is to be subordinated to the integral perfection of the human person, to the good of the community and of the whole society. ” (GS 59).
We aim to create a student-centred institution and system of education, upholding the principles of personhood, solidarity, and subsidiarity.
We work to enhance the five dimensions of the human condition – body, soul, spirit, community, and relationship with the created world – in both the classroom and in our residential college.
- Training at our College essentially faith-based. In addition to theology, philosophy, pedagogy and social sciences, the institution is open to the whole range of disciplines, responding to the universal need for knowledge.
We strive to build and maintain close interdisciplinary relations with the faculties of the University of Pécs, organising joint lecture series with different faculties every semester.
We are increasingly involved in national and international interdisciplinary research and education programmes.
We plan to develop and launch non-university courses for the wider public.
- The College cherishes its links with the Diocese of Pécs and the South Transdanubian Region, as well as with its international ecclesiastical and academic partners.
We constantly assess the local pastoral needs of the present (kairos), especially in the field of university pastoral care, taking care to support local pastoral efforts.
We strengthen the international relations of the college by helping the pastoral care of foreign students studying in Pécs, launching courses for foreign students in foreign languages, and publishing an international theological journal.
6. The size of the student population enables the College to enhance the principles of individuality, solidarity and subsidiarity, especially when it comes to organizing student life.
We are committed to strengthening our student government and supporting pastoral activities of the university chaplaincy.
We seek to reward students pastoral activities in the college with academic recognition (credits).
7. The College sees itself as the laboratory of the future Church.
We support student initiatives and academically/pedagogically innovative initiatives.