Pontifical Biblical Institute
The Pontifical Biblical Institute, founded by Pius X 7 May 1909 (by his apostolic letter is a university-level institution specializing in research and teaching of the critical study of biblical texts. The institute, located in Rome , is entrusted to the Jesuits.
Summary |
The institute was born in the historical context of the modernist crisis. Believing that the Dominican Marie-Joseph Lagrange and Biblical School of Jerusalem was too favorable to the modernist approach to biblical research, Pope Pius X entrusted to the Jesuits in Rome to create an institute that would do even greater work "in the spirit of the Catholic Church. "
Leopold Fonck appointed by Pius X , was its organizer and first president, from 1909 to 1930. During the first years the institute preparing students to pass the final exam from the Pontifical Biblical Commission. By 1916, however, the institute was authorized ( Benedict XV ) to award the degree of Bachelor of Sacred Scripture in the name of this Commission.
In 1927 the institute opened in Jerusalem a residence for students to make a long stay study archaeological and Judaic in the Holy Land. More recently, agreements signed with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have extended this collaboration.
Finally, the motu proprio maxim Quod 9 September 1930 made the Institute a complete independence vis--vis the Pontifical Commission and authorizes it to grant the degree of 'Doctor' in Scripture. In the same document Pius XI associated the 'Bible' (as it is commonly called) to the Gregorian University and the Pontifical Oriental Institute into a university consortium.
On 7 August 1932 a second faculty is created that examines the 'World Ancient Near East' (called Faculty Eastern)
Rectors
- Leopold Fonck (1865-1930), founder, president from 1909 to 1930
- Augustin Bea (1881-1968), rector from 1930 to 1949
- Ernest Vogt (1903-1984), rector from 1949 to 1963
- Roderick A. MacKenzie (1911-1994), rector from 1963 to 1969
- Carlo Maria Martini (* 1927), rector from 1969 to 1978
- Maurice Gilbert (* 1934), rector from 1978 to 1984
- Albert Vanhoye (* 1923), rector from 1984 to 1990
- Klemens Stock (* 1934), rector from 1990 to 1996
- Robert F. O'Toole (* 1936), rector from 1996 to 2002
- Stephen Pisano (* 1946), rector from 2002 to 2008
- Jos Maria Abrego de Lacy (* 1945) Rector since 2008
Today
The Bible Institute is composed of faculty and faculty biblical Eastern. It has a rich library, and publishes two magazines: Biblica and Orientalia. His publishing house is full of many collections such as Analecta Biblica, the Analecta Orientalia, the Elenchus of Biblica, the Subsidia Biblica and others.
At the recent Synod of Bishops on the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church (Rome, 6-27 October 2008) no fewer than 80 participants (bishops, experts and special guests) were 'old' s' Bible Institute.
The Bible Institute, to serve the universal Church, has a very strong international character. In 2008 the number of students rises to 326: 287 for the Bible School and 39 for the Eastern School. They come from 61 countries and belong to 149 different dioceses.
Purpose
a) To cultivate and promote, with the scientific research, biblical disciplines and oriental disciplines related thereto, taking care to leave at each of its disciplines, its own character, for a "deeper understanding and a better presentation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture ( Dei Verbum, No. 12);
b) provide students with education and training in its disciplines (especially the biblical languages), the preparation necessary both to scientific research than teaching and dissemination of Holy Scripture;
c) so that "with the sort of preparatory studies mature Judgement of the Church" (Dei Verbum, No. 12), and that Holy Scripture has an increasingly active role in the study of theology , pastoral ministry, ecumenical dialogue, in the sacred liturgy, in the reading of the faithful.
Bibliography
- Maurice Gilbert : The Pontifical Biblical Institute. A century of history (1909-2009), Rome, 2009.
Loading ...