Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum

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The Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum or simply Collegium Germanicum is a German-speaking seminary for Roman Catholic priests in Rome, founded in 1552. Since 1580 its full name has been Pontificium Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum de Urbe.

1 History
2 Teaching
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The Collegium Germanicum was established on 31 August 1552 by Pope Julius III with the bull Dum sollicita. Cardinal Giovanni Morone and Saint Ignatius Loyola were instrumental in its establishment, and Saint Ignatius formally opened it on 28 October. The direction of the college was given to the Jesuits.

In 1580 Pope Gregory XIII merged it with the Collegium Hungaricum ("Hungarian College"), founded in 1578, since when it has been called the Pontificium Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum de Urbe, or the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum for short.

After the abolition of the Jesuits in 1773 the direction was taken over by secular priests.

After Emperor Joseph II in 1781 forbade all students of his realm to study in Rome, and the city was shortly afterwards occupied by French troops, the college was obliged to close in 1798. It was reopened under Pope Pius VII in 1818, and reorganised by Pope Leo XII, who strengthened its connection to the Jesuits and gave it the form which it still has today.

During World War I the members of the college had to move to share the premises of the Collegium Canisianum in Innsbruck from 1915 to 1919.

[edit] Teaching

At its foundation the defence against the Reformation, improvement of theological training and the education of priests loyal to Rome were the principal aims. "From the territories, endangered in faith, of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation" were to be trained "fearless warriors for the faith" (quotations from the founding bull). After the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 it was possible to restore the original internationalism of the college.

[edit] References

Dachsberger, Johann and Leiber, Robert, 1934. Kollegien in Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche, 1st edition. vol. 6. Freiburg im Breisgau: Herder.
Schmidt, Peter, 1984. Das Collegium Germanicum in Rom und die Germaniker. Zur Funktion e. röm. Ausländerseminars (1552 - 1914). Tübingen: Niemeyer. ISBN 3-484-82056-X
Leitgöb, Martin, 2004. Vom Seelenhirten zum Wegführer. Sondierungen zum bischöflichen Selbstverständnis im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert. Die Germanikerbischöfe 1837-1962. Rome: Herder. ISBN 3-451-26458-7