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The professional qualification in religious education

Although the Catholics, Baptist, Orthodox and Lutherans Churches have their own highest educational establishments and seminars, they are not state accredited and their diplomas are not recognized by the state. Currently, there are Christian educational establishments of 7 religious communities (churches - 5 interdenominational and 2 Catholic), 12 private educational establishments (6 interdenominational, 5 Catholic) and one private educational establishment (the Habad Lubavich private secundary school). In Latvia, professional qualification in religious education can be acquired in seven high schools: Latvian University – Theological faculty, Latvian University – Pedagogical faculty, existing in one educational program, as well as Lutheran Academy, Institute of Religious Science of Riga, Theological Seminary of Congregation Union of Latvian Baptists, Theological Seminary of Synod of Orthodox Church, Latvian Christian Academy. The University of Latvia’s Theological faculty is nondenominational. The Faculty of Theology at the University of Latvia was established in 1920, however in 1940, in consequence of occupation by the Soviet Union, it was abolished. During the collapse of the Soviet regime in the end of the 80s the Faculty of Theology of the LU was renovated. Nowadays, the Faculty of Theology pursuant to the 1998 Faculty Regulations approved by the University Senate is a Christian-ecumenical, academic and research structural unit of the University of Latvia, educating theologians, religion researchers of academic education and professional teachers of religion and ethics, as well as specialists in ethical issues. The Faculty is not subordinate to any church, it cooperates with all the churches. Students and lecturers are from various denominations. There are rather specific consequences of such a non-denominational line: separation of the state and the church here manifests itself as separation of the theology and the Church. Tasks of the Faculty are reflecting the direction of theology more than the social needs, which really should be within the sphere of church activities under the classical model, instead of training of clergymen.
Although the governing body of the University of Latviahas declined in 1999 resumption of the denominational (church) course in the Faculty of Theology, according to the article 21 of the Concordat, Roman Catholic Church have taken promise from state: "The Reinstatement of the Faculty of Catholic Theology within the University of Latvia will be negotiated in the future between the Holy See and the Government of the Republic of Latvia."

D 27 September 2012    ARingolds Balodis

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

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