Theological Studies for Laypeople in Italy
Emerging in the immediate post-war period (1945) in several Italian university cities, these studies aim to revive among laypeople the study of theology and other sacred sciences.
They were promoted by the Conventual Franciscans, who organized and still oversee them in Florence (from 25 January 1945), Padua (21 December 1945), Naples (27 January 1946), Perugia (12 January 1947), and Messina (11 January 1948); and as theological institutes for laypeople, with more accessible and suitable programs for smaller, non-university centers, in Assisi (from 12 January 1947), Viterbo (21 November 1947), Albano (4 December 1947), Potenza (22 February 1948), and Nola (9 February 1950).
The program of the theological studies for laypeople includes a four-year course with fundamental subjects (dogmatic theology, moral theology, Sacred Scripture, canon law, church history, philosophy, etc.); complementary subjects (patrology, Christian archaeology, art, pedagogy, sociology, etc.); special and elective courses in literature, history, and science; and corresponding examinations for the attainment of a diploma that recognizes the high level of religious cultural formation for possible teaching of religion in schools.
The foundation’s official organ is the bimonthly journal *Città di vita* (v.).