The Faculty of Theology at the University of Fribourg is the largest theological faculty in Switzerland, and one of two Catholic theology faculties integrated into a State University. It is subject to national law, like the other university faculties, but in addition, it is acknowledged by the Church and is supported by the Dominican Order and the Swiss Bishops’ Conference.
The Faculty of Theology serves the Church as a community, as well as its individual members, and helps society as a whole.
The Faculty of Catholic Theology is one of the six faculties of the University of Fribourg. It is therefore recognized both by state authorities and, as a faculty, by the Holy See.
The Faculty of Theology has the following tasks:
In particular, through its teaching and research, the Faculty has the task of fostering dialogue among diverse cultural and religious communities.
Department of Biblical Studies
Department of Patristics and Church History
Department of the Sciences of Faith and Religions, Philosophy
Department of Moral Theology and Ethics
Department of Practical Theology
Its creation was the result of long efforts that had continued since the 16th century. Indeed, St. Michael’s College, founded in 1580 by the Jesuit order, experienced periods in which it enjoyed a European reputation. As such, it provided a particularly rich intellectual foundation for an institution of higher learning. The creation of a law school in 1763 marked another important step toward the establishment of the university; about a century later, this school was incorporated into the newly created autonomous Faculty of Law.
Eminent figures from the Catholic intellectual world finally gave the decisive impetus for the creation of a university composed of four faculties, according to the custom of the time. The involvement of the Dominican Order gave the university, from its very beginnings, an international reputation.
The Dominicans have been in Fribourg since 1890. At the invitation of the founders of the University of Fribourg, the Master of the Order sent Dominican friars from different provinces to teach philosophy and theology there.
