ROME - For the first time, the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome will be offering a Licentiate in Judaic Studies and Jewish-Christian Relations, the first course of the kind for any Pontifical University. The Congregation for Catholic Education established this new category of canonical Licentiate at the university, entrusting its preparation to the Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies.

  “This is not only exciting for us, but also symbolically relevant,” explains Father Etienne Vetö, Director of the Centre. “Built on decades of hard work and bonds of friendship to which it lends testimony, it is a sign that not only openly declares the constitutive importance of Judaic studies for Christianity, but also purposely recognises, within the structure of the education of our faith, the powerful mutual enlightenment that occurs when — side by side — we study Revelation. This model can continue to be generated in our communities and our schools. May this novelty set a precedent.”

  The new academic path will be presented in a special event on April 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - the speeches will be in English and Italian with simultaneous translation.

  Following a greeting from the Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Father Nuno da Silva Gonçalves SJ, Father Etienne Vetö will present the new curriculum in detail and Father Norbert Hofmann SDB, Secretary of the Commission for Religious Relations with Jews of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity will explain the potential impact of the Licentiate on Jewish-Christian relations. Following this, a “taste” of the activity of the Bea Centre will be offered through a rabbinic-patristic discussion between two professors, Rav David Meyer and Dr. Massimo Gargiulo.

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