Catholic Theological Union & DePaul University form alliance

Chicago, IL, Oct. 5, 2011—Catholic Theological Union (CTU), the largest Roman Catholic graduate school of theology and ministry in the United States, and DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States, announced that they are forming an educational alliance.

"This is an opportunity for both schools to strengthen their academic 'muscle' to address the challenges that we face as a society and in the church," said the Rev. Donald Senior, C.P., president of CTU.

"The CTU-DePaul alliance is an extraordinary way to advance the discussion about the future of theological study and to create exciting new ways to deliver ministerial education," said the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul. "CTU has been home to some of the finest Catholic theological scholars in the nation. We are proud to align ourselves with them."

The alliance comes at a pivotal point in the life of theological education in the United States. Many schools are looking for ways to combine resources to strengthen their ability to provide educational opportunities for today's students.

The alliance is a vehicle for both institutions to explore exciting new ways to deliver educational opportunities to their respective students, faculties and staffs. CTU sees advantages in making available to its students preparing for ministry the managerial, communications and social media education, among other opportunities, that DePaul provides.

The alliance will make it possible for DePaul students interested in theological graduate study to begin doing so while still at DePaul. Faculty will be able to expand their experience by teaching both at CTU and DePaul. The two schools also anticipate mutual benefits through common purchasing strategies and shared IT expenditures.

CTU and DePaul are both healthy and financially sound institutions. The alliance will not include any changes in governance or financial structures. Through the alliance, however, both institutions will be in a better position to meet the changing needs of those students interested in theological study, and be better prepared to take a leading role in shaping the discussion of how that education should be delivered. This will include joint conferences designed to advance the discussion of ministerial education.

CTU and DePaul both have missions that are firmly rooted in Roman Catholic tradition and both institutions are committed to ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, and global outreach. This alliance will enable both institutions to enhance their Catholic character and strengthen Catholic educational opportunities in Chicago.

According to Francis Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, "The importance of these two institutions to the life of the Archdiocese is without question. This alliance will strengthen the Catholic mission of both institutions."

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Education

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• catholic theological union
• depaul university
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• Education