91性息港

The Ecclesiastical Faculties have always been considered as the primary components of听 the 91性息港, which Leo XIII proclaimed a Pontifical University听 (Constitution Quae Mari Sinico, VII, 17 September 1902), and Pius XII honored with the听 title of The Catholic University of the Philippines (Litt. Apost. 10 April 1947). The Faculty of听 Sacred Theology is as old as the University itself since the primary purpose of the听 Dominican Fathers in founding this institution of learning was to train from among the听 young men who flocked to their lecture rooms worthy ministers of the altar. This Faculty, established at the same time as the Faculty of Philosophy, received official ecclesiastical听 recognition in the Brief, In Supereminenti, given on 20 November 1645 in Rome under the听 pontificate of Innocent X.听

In 1896, particularly as a result of the influence exerted by the Government and the special听 circumstances of the times, the Faculty of Philosophy was reshaped into the Faculty of听 Philosophy and Letters. However, in 1928, owing to the creation of the Inter-diocesan听 (also called Central) Seminary, the old Faculty of Philosophy was revived, this time听 mainly for seminarians.听

In answer to previous requests of the Dominican Fathers in the Philippines regarding the听 creation of a Faculty of Canon Law, Innocent XI issued on 7 August 1681 his Brief, Inscrutabili; however, said Brief could not be implemented then due to the troubled听 circumstances of the period. Its implementation was carried out on 11 November 1733.听 On 23 October 1733, the King of Spain approved the project, which was confirmed by听 Clement XII on 2 September 1734 in his Brief, Dudum Emanarunt.听

In view of the peculiar nature of the goal of the students enrolled in these faculties, and听 in view of the ecclesiastical regulations governing the holistic formation of candidates for听 the priesthood, these particular Statutes were formed to govern the three Faculties. Taking as point of departure the previous Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, these听 Statutes have been drawn up in accordance with Pope Francis鈥� Apostolic Constitution听 Veritatis Gaudium (8 December 2017), the Congregation for Catholic Education鈥檚 Norms听

of Application (27 December 2017), its decree revising the order of studies in the Faculty of听 Canon Law (2 September 2002), its decree on the reform of Ecclesiastical Studies of听 Philosophy (28 January 2011), and the emendations introduced by the respective Faculty听 Councils, bearing in mind the Congregation鈥檚 response to the Triennial Report of the听 Ecclesiastical Faculties in 2013, the issuance of the Congregation鈥檚 Handbook for听 Ecclesiastical Faculties (Quality Culture), and the Qualifications Framework of the听 Ecclesiastical Higher Education System of the Holy See.听

Moreover, the Faculty of Philosophy has restructured its course offerings in order to听 harmonize the courses with the prevailing requirements of the Commission on Higher听 Education whose curricular programs have been updated as a response to the K-12听 educational reforms of the Republic of the Philippines. These reforms in the University听 programs are expected to commence in AY 2018-2019 and the Faculty of Philosophy,听 particularly in its civil degree program, has taken proactive steps by adjusting its听 curriculum in response to such instruction.听

These Statutes are to be applied only to the Ecclesiastical Faculties, leaving therefore the听 community life of the Inter-diocesan Seminary and its governance to the Statutes of said Seminary, approved by the Sacred Congregation on 26 July 1962.听

Art. 1: ECCLESIASTICAL FACULTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS听

The Ecclesiastical Faculties of Sacred Theology, Canon Law, and Philosophy are an听 integral part of the 91性息港. To these three, other Faculties may be听 added in the future. Each Faculty may also establish other specialized Institutes under听 the jurisdiction of the Dean of the establishing Faculty.听

Art. 2: THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE THREE FACULTIES听

The purposes of Ecclesiastical Faculties are:听

1. To deepen the knowledge of Christian revelation and of matters connected with听 it: to enunciate systematically the truth contained therein; to consider in the light听 of revelation, the problems of the times, presenting them in a manner adapted to听 the local culture. Each Faculty shall cultivate and promote its own disciplines听 through scientific research, by establishing or availing itself of specialized research听 centers, by publishing scientific journals and collections, and by organizing听 and/or participating in scientific workshops or conferences (see Veritatis Gaudium,听 Art. 3, 搂1).听听
2. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are tasked by the Church to train the students to a level听 of high qualification in their own disciplines, according to Catholic doctrine, to听 prepare them properly to face their tasks, and to promote the continuing听 permanent education of the ministers of the Church (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 3,听 搂2). The studies in the Ecclesiastical Faculties 鈥渁re called to offer opportunities and听 processes for the suitable formation of priests, consecrated men and women, and听 committed lay people. At the same time, they are called to be a sort of providential听 cultural laboratory in which the Church carries out the performative interpretation听 of the reality brought about by the Christ event and nourished by the gifts of wisdom and knowledge by which the Holy Spirit enriches the People of God in听 manifold ways鈥︹�� (Veritatis Gaudium, Foreword, 3).听听

3. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are closely connected with the evangelizing mission of听 the Church; hence, they have 鈥�to collaborate intensely, in accordance with their own nature and in close communion with the Hierarchy, with the local and the universal Church the whole work of evangelization鈥� (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art.听 3, 搂3). 鈥淭he worldwide network of Ecclesiastical universities and faculties is called听 to offer the decisive contribution of leaven, salt and light of the Gospel of Jesus听 Christ and the living tradition of the Church which is ever open to new situations听 and ideas鈥� (Veritatis Gaudium, Foreword, 3).听听
4. As the primary component of the 91性息港, the Catholic听 University of the Philippines, the Ecclesiastical Faculties share in the University鈥檚听 responsibility to be an educative community permeated with the 鈥渟pirit of liberty听 and charity鈥� (Gravissimum Educationis, no. 8); in particular, the Ecclesiastical听 Faculties strive to become, in word and witness, a fraternal Christian community,听 nourished by prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist.听

Art. 3: THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE THREE FACULTIES听

1. THE FACULTY OF SACRED THEOLOGY. The Faculty of Sacred Theology has听 the aim of profoundly studying and explaining, according to the scientific method听 proper to it, Catholic doctrine, derived with the greatest care from divine听 revelation. It has the further aim of carefully seeking the solution to human听 problems in the light of the same revelation (Veritatis Gaudium, 69), taught by the听 Catholic Church and lived in union with it by the Christians in Asia, particularly听 the Philippines. Its function is the formation of the clergy, the religious, and the听 laity at the level required for the certification of academic degrees conferred under听 the authority of the Holy See. A main objective of the Faculty is its continued close collaboration with the Hierarchy of the Church, particularly with regard to the scientific analysis of the issues and problems of the times and their theological discernment in the light of Christian faith, directed to integral Christian praxis.听
2. THE FACULTY OF CANON LAW. The Faculty of Canon Law has the aim of听 cultivating and promoting the juridical disciplines in the light of the law of the听 Gospel and of deeply instructing the students in these, so as to form researchers,听 teachers, and others who will be trained to hold special ecclesiastical posts听 (Veritatis Gaudium, 77) like teaching in Seminaries, Houses of Studies and听 Ecclesiastical Faculties, professional practice in diocesan and religious curia, as听 well as other ecclesiastical posts. The Faculty of Canon Law shall search with听 special interest for the ways and means to harmonize the difference between the听 laws of the Church and those of the State.

3. THE FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY. The Faculty of Philosophy intends, through听 the proper organization of its courses, to help students gradually acquire a solid听 and consistent knowledge of man, of the world and of God based on the philosophical heritage of St. Thomas Aquinas as the best guide in this听 philosophical journey (Fides et Ratio, nos. 43, 57 and 58). It also aims to make the听 students conversant in the history of ideas and other human sciences (Pastores听 Dabo Vobis, no. 52) as well as 鈥渙f investigating philosophical problems according听 to scientific methodology, basing itself on a heritage of perennially valid听 philosophy鈥� (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 81, 搂1). The Faculty trains its students to听 search 鈥渇or solutions in the light of natural reason and, furthermore鈥� to听 demonstrate their consistency with the Christian view of the world, of man, and听 of God, placing in a proper light the relationship between philosophy and听 theology” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 81, 搂1). Training in the Faculty of Philosophy听 will give the students a solid base for the study of theology and a preparation for听 the life and ministry which await them, thus enabling them to enter into dialogue听 with the men and women of their own time.听

Art. 4: LAWS AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ECCLESIASTICAL FACULTIES听

1. LAWS. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are governed by the following laws: a. The common law of the Church;听
2. Apostolic Constitution Veritatis Gaudium and its Norms of Application, and other听 norms laid down by the Apostolic See;听
3. The General Statutes of the University of Santo Tomas in so far as they are not听 inconsistent with these particular statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties; d. The Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties approved by the Congregation for听 Catholic Education.听
4. REGULATIONS. In addition, the Faculties are governed by the following regulations: a. The norms issued by the Rector in accordance with these Statutes; b. The rules issued by the Deans with the respective Faculty Council in accordance听 with these statutes;听
5. The legitimate customs related to these Faculties in so far as they are in conformity听 with the laws of the Church and have been recognized by the authorities of the听 Faculties.听

Art. 5: ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTION听

1. The three Ecclesiastical Faculties are organically independent of one another, each听 one having its own governing body, faculty staff, and students, as well as their听 particular academic courses and programs.

2. There shall be close cooperation among the three Ecclesiastical Faculties as well as听 coordination with the Civil Faculties of the University. This cooperation and听 coordination shall be shown in the interdisciplinary approach to common or听 related subjects and problems.听
3. In the organization of courses and in the planning of research programs, due听 importance shall be given to the socio-cultural and religious problems of the Asian听 region, particularly of the Philippines.听

Art. 6: AUTHORITIES听

1. The Archbishop of Manila is the Honorary Patron of the Ecclesiastical Faculties.听
2. The Master of the Order of Preachers is the Chancellor, and as such is the Prelate听 Ordinary of the 91性息港, of which the Ecclesiastical Faculties听 are an integral part. Besides the duties and prerogatives of the Chancellor, as听 described in art. 8 of the General Statutes of the University, it belongs to his听 competence to confer, either acting personally or through a delegate, to those who听 will teach academic subjects that deal with matters of faith and morals, after they听 have made the profession of faith, the missio canonica to those who teach disciplines听 concerning faith and morals and the venia docendi to those who teach other听 subjects, since they will be teaching not on their own authority but by commission听 received from the Church (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 27, 搂 1). Furthermore, it is听 the duty of the Chancellor to transmit to the Congregation for Catholic Education听 the Quinquennial Report of the Ecclesiastical Faculties (Norms of Application of the听 Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 9, no. 7).听
3. The Vice-Chancellor of the University is the Prior Provincial of the Dominican听 Province of the Philippines, as determined in art. 9 of the General Statutes of the听 University. It pertains to him:

   a. To promote cooperation between the Ecclesiastical Faculties and the local听 Church. He seeks the support of the Local Ordinary for the Faculties, and, in听 agreement with him, ensures that the Faculties make an appropriate contribution to the life of the local Church. It is through the Vice-Chancellor听 that the Local Ordinary normally takes any steps that he considers to be听 required by the exercise of his pastoral responsibility in relation to the听 Faculties;

   b. To give the missio canonica or venia docendi in the name of the Chancellor for all听 appointments and promotions, except those which require the nihil obstat of the听 Holy See;
   c. To receive the profession of faith of all teachers whose courses are concerned听 with matters of faith and morals.听

4. The academic authorities of the Faculties are both personal and collegial. The听 personal authorities are the Rector and the Vice-Rector of the University, and the听 Deans of the respective Faculties. On the collegial level, each Faculty is governed听 by the Faculty Council, which occasionally may include the entire Faculty Staff.听

Art. 7: THE DEAN听

1. The Deans of the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall be elected by secret ballot by the听 Dominican professors affiliated to each Faculty. Being affiliated to a Faculty means听 that one has an active appointment of at least the rank of an Instructor and has听 taught in the Faculty within the past two academic Terms.听
2. Only Dominican professors with a rank of at least an associate professor in the听 respective Faculties are considered candidates for election. Otherwise, any听 Dominican professor below the rank of an associate professor will need a听 postulation.听
3. To be elected as Dean, the eligible candidate must gather a majority vote (1 vote听 more than half the number of the present voters) within the first two scrutinies. If听 no winner is declared after two scrutinies, only those two candidates with the听 highest votes will be considered for the third scrutiny. On the third ballot, the听 person free from any impediment who obtained a relative majority would be听 elected.听
4. A postulation is needed if the candidate does not possess the appropriate rank or听 if the candidate is the incumbent Dean who has served the Office for two听 consecutive Terms. Only a Dominican friar may be postulated for the Office of the听 Dean.听听
5. In the case of postulation, the following shall be observed: a) a postulated听 candidate must obtain a number of votes, that is, at least two-thirds of the total听 number of voters, and b) in the third scrutiny, an eligible candidate with a relative听 majority vote wins the election. A candidate for postulation who reaches the third听 ballot shall automatically be excluded if he does not obtain two-thirds of the听 number of votes.听
6. The elected Dean shall be appointed by the Rector after approval of the Council of听 Regents. The Deans鈥� term of office shall last for a period of three (3) years.听 However, they may be reelected for another consecutive term of three (3) years听 only.

7. The appointment of the Dean, including the succeeding Terms, requires the听 Confirmation of the Congregation for Catholic Education (Veritatis Gaudium, Art.听 18).听听
8. It belongs to the Dean:
   a. To direct, promote and coordinate all activities of the Faculty, especially those听 connected with studies;
   b. To promote teaching efficiency in the Faculty;
   c. To ensure that in their teaching function, professors follow faithfully the听 approved courses of study;
   d. To convoke and preside at the official meetings of the Faculty and the Faculty听 Council;
   e. To present to the Faculty Council important problems for discussion and, if听 necessary, for approval;
   f. To admit to or exclude students from the Faculty;
   g. To distribute the teaching load to the professors and to prepare the timetable听 of classes and examinations;
   h. To designate the members of the tribunals for academic degrees;
   i. To preside at the tribunals of examination for degrees;
   j. To appoint advisers of students in the preparation of their theses; k. To see to it that laws and norms affecting the Faculty are observed.听

Art. 8: THE FACULTY COUNCIL听

1. Normally, the Council of the Faculty is composed of the Dean, as Chair, four professors and two representatives from each of the other ranks of the teaching听 staff (cf. art. 11, infra). These representatives are elected by the members of the听 respective ranks, and confirmed by the Rector of the University for a term of three听 (3) years. In addition, at least one (1) representative of the Student Body shall be听 included whenever matters concerning students are discussed. The Secretary of听 the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall serve as the Secretary of the Faculty Council. In听 some cases, the Faculty Council is composed of the entire Faculty staff.听
2. The concurrence of a majority of the Faculty Council acting as a body shall be听 required:
   a.听To propose to the Rector for approval any major changes in the curriculum;
   b. To plan and formulate concrete special courses, seminars, symposia, etc. to听 be undertaken by the respective Faculties during the school year;
   c. To propose to the Rector the appointment and promotion of faculty听 members who meet the prescribed requirements;
   d. To propose to the Rector the removal of members of the Faculty for cause听 and after due process as stated in the Faculty Code of the University;
   e. To propose to the Rector candidates for graduation;
   f. To ascertain the convenience of extending teaching function of professors after reaching the age of seventy (70), in accordance with art. 15, no. 1;
   g. To approve the conferment of the titles of Professor Emeritus or Honorary Professor in accordance with art. 18 of these Statutes.听

Art. 9: THE COMMISSION ON AFFILIATION, AGGREGATION AND听 INCORPORATION听听

1. The Commission on Affiliation of each Faculty shall be composed by professors of the Ecclesiastical Faculties who received appointment from the respective Deans. The members of the Commission shall serve a Term of Office that lasts for three years.听
2. The Commission is tasked to review and monitor the Institutes that are affiliated, aggregated or incorporated to any of the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the 91性息港.听
3. The Commission shall be assisted by an Academic Collaboration Officer.

Art. 10: APPOINTMENT AND ASSIGNMENT听听

1. New professors shall be formally appointed by the Rector upon recommendation of the Faculty Council, which ascertains their academic qualifications as well as their moral integrity (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 26, 搂1) and with the authorization of the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor, who confers the appropriate missio canonica or venia docendi (see Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 27, 搂1).听
2. Diocesan priests, religious, or others from whatever Institute, before being appointed by the Rector, upon the recommendation of the Faculty Council, 鈥渋n order to be teachers in a Faculty or to remain as such, must have the consent of their proper Ordinary or Religious Superior, following the norms established in these matters by competent Church authority鈥� (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25).听

Art. 11: CLASSIFICATION听听

1. Ranking in the Academic Staff shall be as follows (General Statutes, 91性息港, 2011, art. 38.1):
   a.听Professors
   b. Associate Professors
   c. Assistant Professors
   d. Instructors

In addition to these professorial ranks, there may be guest lecturers for specific听 assignments.听

2. A professor becomes permanent upon attaining the rank of Assistant Professor.听 To be legitimately incorporated into the Faculty as a permanent member, the听 person concerned must:
   a.听Be distinguished by wealth of knowledge, witness of life, and a sense of听 responsibility (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, 搂1, 1);
   b. Possess a suitable doctorate degree or an equivalent title, or exceptional and听 singular scientific accomplishments. By a suitable doctorate is meant one that听 corresponds to the discipline that is being taught. If the discipline is sacred or听 connected with the sacred, the doctorate must be canonical. In the event that听 the doctorate is not canonical, the teacher will usually be required to have at least a canonical licentiate (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, 搂1, 2, and its Norms of听 Application, Art. 19);
   c. Show documentary proof of suitability for doing scientific research, especially听 by a published dissertation (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, 搂1, 3);
   d. Demonstrate teaching ability (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, 搂1, 4).
3. Although these requirements are properly applicable to permanent faculty听 members, they must also be applied proportionately to non-permanent ones听 (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 25, 搂2).听

Art. 12: PROMOTION听

1. For purposes of promotion, the following requirements shall be considered: a. Academic preparation and training;
   a.听Teaching skills and experience;
   b. Ability for research work as shown by suitable scientific publications; d. Upright life, integrity of doctrine and devotion to duty (Veritatis Gaudium, Art.听 26, 搂1); c. Spirit of cooperation in teaching and research, and commitment to the welfare听 of the Faculty.
   d. Declaration of a nihil obstat from the Holy See (see Veritatis Gaudium, 27, 搂2).
2. No Instructor shall be considered for promotion to the rank of Assistant Professor听 unless:
   a.听he holds a doctorate degree or its equivalent title;
   b. he has shown efficient and commendable performance for at least three (3)听 years;
   c. he has published original scientific works.
   d. he has obtained a nihil obstat from the Holy See (Veritatis Gaudium, 27, 搂2).
3. No Assistant Professor shall be considered for promotion to the rank of Associate听 Professor unless:
   a.听he has shown an efficient and commendable academic performance for at least听 three years (3) as Assistant Professor;
   b. he has shown his scientific competence through additional published scholarly works;
   c. he has obtained a nihil obstat from the Holy See (Veritatis Gaudium, 27, 搂2).
4. No Associate Professor shall be considered for promotion to the rank of Professor听 unless:
   a.听he has shown an efficient and commendable professorial performance for at听 least three years (3) as Associate Professor;
   b. he has shown his scientific competence through additional scholarly published听 works;
   c. he has a doctorate degree that corresponds to the discipline being taught;
   d. he has obtained a nihil obstat from the Holy See (Veritatis Gaudium, 27, 搂2).

Art. 13: TEACHING PERFORMANCE听

1. It is the fundamental responsibility of a faculty member to maintain competence in听 his field of specialization, to exercise appropriate restraint, to show respect for the听 opinion of others, and to be judicious in the handling of controversial matters in the听 classroom.听
2. To help the teachers attain a truly professorial competence, the authorities should give听 them subjects which are related to their field of specialization. Furthermore, they听 鈥渕ust be free from other employment which cannot be reconciled with their duty to听 do research and to instruct, according to what the Statutes require for each rank of听 teacher鈥� (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 29).听
3. Faculty members who teach matters related to faith and morals 鈥渁re to be conscious听 of their duty to carry out their work in full communion with the authentic听 Magisterium of the Church, above all, with that of the Roman Pontiff鈥� (Veritatis听 Gaudium, Art. 26, 搂2); however, they enjoy “just freedom in research and teaching” (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 38, 搂1, 1). Opinions against the Magisterium of the Church听 shall be presented as such and duly evaluated according to said Magisterium. Faculty听 members, moreover, must seriously strive to be witnesses of the living truth of the听 Gospel to their students and the faithful and thus build the ecclesial community. In听 teaching, which is a special ministry of the Word of God, faculty members should听 strive to follow the unique example of St. Thomas Aquinas (Optatam Totius, no. 16;听

Gravissimum Educationis, no. 10), who distinguished himself by 鈥渉is complete听 submission of mind and heart to divine revelation,鈥� 鈥済reat respect for the visible听 world,鈥� 鈥渉is sincere, total and lifelong acceptance of the Teaching Office of the听 Church,鈥� and most of all, 鈥渉is manner of teaching [which] was that of a saint who听 lives the Gospel fully鈥� ( John Paul II, Address at the Angelicum University on the 100th听 Anniversary of 鈥淎eterni Patris,鈥� November 17, 1979).听

Art. 14: ACADEMIC FREEDOM听

1. Faculty members shall enjoy full freedom in the discharge of their duties as such听 within the field of their given specialization, most particularly with regard to听 imparting the same according to the best of their capabilities, subject to the established听 objectives and policies of the University and the Faculty.
   
2. Following the norms of the Second Vatican Council and in line with the nature of each听 Ecclesiastical Faculty:
   a.听Just freedom (Gaudium et Spes, no. 59) should be acknowledged in research and听 teaching so that true progress can be obtained in learning and understanding divine truth (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 38, 搂1, 1);
   b. However, 鈥渢rue freedom in teaching is necessarily contained within the limits of听 God鈥檚 Word, as this is constantly taught by the Church鈥檚 Magisterium; likewise听 true freedom in research is necessarily based upon firm adherence to God鈥檚 Word听 and deference to the Church鈥檚 Magisterium, whose duty is to interpret听 authentically the Word of God鈥� (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 38, 搂1, 2a-2b).
   c. Fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church is always to be emphasized, particularly听 in the basic cycle where those things which belong to the received patrimony of听 the Church are to be imparted, (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 73).
3. Each Faculty member is the sole authority to determine the academic standing of all听 students under his charge in a given subject. However, if a faculty member fails to do听 so within a reasonable period of time, and after serious warnings, the Dean of the听 Faculty shall assume this responsibility.听

Art. 15: SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL听

1. No sanction may be imposed upon a faculty member except for cause and after due听 process, so as to safeguard the rights of all involved.听
2. The following steps should be taken before any sanction is imposed: a. A dialogue between the Dean and the Faculty member concerned; b. If the matter is not settled, the case should be referred to the Faculty Council for听 the examination of the case and its possible solution;
   c.听If this is not sufficient, the matter should be referred to the Rector, who with the听 help of a committee of experts must consider the matter and provide for a solution,听 after due consultation with the University Vice-Chancellor. If further action is听 necessary, the matter must be referred to the Chancellor;
   d. The possibility for recourse to the Holy See is always open to the teacher听 concerned.
3. In more grave or urgent cases, the Rector or the Chancellor may suspend the teacher听 involved for the duration of the regular procedure.听

Art. 16: RETIREMENT听

1. As a rule, the teachers in the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall continue exercising their听 academic functions up to the age of seventy (70) years. If the faculty member is willing听 to continue teaching after such age, and the Faculty Council has no objection, he may听 continue teaching as Professor Emeritus.听
2. Upon retirement, the professor shall be entitled to financial assistance from the听 University in accordance with the program of retirement already in existence.听

Art. 17: GUEST PROFESSORS听

1. Professors of other Ecclesiastical Institutions, who are experts in the Sacred Sciences,听 may be invited to give short courses on relevant problems. They may also be invited听 to teach in the Ecclesiastical Faculties as 鈥楪uest or Visiting Professors.鈥櫶�
2. Likewise, professors of the Civil Faculties, who are prominent in areas somehow听 related to the Ecclesiastical studies, may be invited to lecture on specific problems so听 that the aspirants for the priesthood may be able to grasp the relations and harmony听 between profane and sacred sciences (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 66).听
3. The guest lecturers are invited by the Dean upon consultation with the Faculty听 Council. Other professors, experts in particular fields, may be invited to speak to the听 students as the occasion arises.听
4. The appointment of Guest Professors shall be renewed every Academic Term.

Art. 18: PROFESSORS 鈥淓MERITI鈥� AND HONORARY PROFESSORS听

1. Professors who have discharged their academic assignments in an outstanding听 manner may be conferred, upon the approval of the respective Faculty Council, the听 title of Professors 鈥�Emeriti鈥� upon their resignation or retirement in accordance with听 the Statutes.

2. Likewise, upon the approval of the respective Faculty Council, the title of Honorary听 Professor may be awarded to scholars who have excelled in research work or scientific听 writing and who earned international reputation in their respective fields.听

听

2. 2. 听

Art. 19: ADMISSION听

1. The Ecclesiastical Faculties are primarily open to future members of the diocesan听 clergy. However, they are also open to religious men and women and lay persons,听 provided they meet the required qualifications including the completion of the 鈥渒ind听 of study title which would be necessary to permit enrollment in a civil university鈥澨� (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 32, 搂1).听
2. To be admitted to any Faculty, all applicants must present a written permission or a certificate of good moral character from their respective Ordinary or his delegate (Art.听 31 of Veritatis Gaudium and its Norms of Application, Art. 26, 搂1).听
3. The admission of students to the Ecclesiastical Faculties is handled by their respective听 Admission Committee, whose functions are the following:
   a.听To evaluate the academic records and other pertinent credentials of the applicants;
   b. To administer the entrance examination;
   c. To propose to the Dean who among the applicants may be admitted after due听 verification of their qualifications.听
   
   
4. The Admission Committee is composed of the Dean of the respective Faculty as Chair,听 the Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, and if needed, one professor from the听 respective Faculties, as members. In the admission of diocesan resident seminarians,听 the Rector of the Central Seminary should also be a member of this Committee.听

Art. 20: CLASSIFICATION听

Students in the Ecclesiastical Faculties are classified as follows (cf. Norms of Application of听 the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 27):听

1. Ordinary – those who pursue courses for the purpose of obtaining a degree; b. Extraordinary – those who pursue courses in order to meet the requirements of the听 ecclesiastical career;听
2. Special – those who take up individual subjects, either main or auxiliary, for their听 own advancement and without the intention of working for academic degrees.

Art. 21: ENROLLMENT听

No student may be enrolled in more than one Faculty to work for simultaneous academic听 degrees (General Statutes, 91性息港, 2011, art. 46, no. 4). However, in the听 Ecclesiastical Faculties whose programs of studies are recognized by the Government,听 the students are allowed to enroll simultaneously in the corresponding Civil Faculty.听

Art. 22: CREDENTIALS听

1. To be admitted as an ordinary student in the Faculty of Sacred Theology, a student听 must have completed the Ecclesiastical degree of Bachelor in Philosophy. In the absence听 of an Ecclesiastical degree of Bachelor in Philosophy, the student may present a civil听 degree of Bachelor of Arts major in Philosophy awarded by a seminary or any approved听 institution without prejudice to Art. 74.a of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis听 Gaudium. In the absence of any of these two degrees, any Bachelor degree may be听 presented but the student shall be required to undergo the preparatory program听 (Associate in Philosophy program), which lasts for two years of study and requires the听 completion of basic philosophy courses and Latin (see Norms of Application of the听 Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 55.1.a).听听
2. To be admitted as an ordinary student in the Faculty of Canon Law: a. Students who have no previous training in philosophy or theology, including听 those who already hold an academic degree in civil law must complete the first听 cycle, lasting for four semesters or two years (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 78, a).听 鈥淪tudents who prove that they have studied some of the subjects of the first听 cycle at an appropriate faculty, university or institute may be dispensed from听 them鈥� (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 62, 搂1).
   b.听Students who have successfully completed the philosophical-theological curriculum in a seminary or in a theological faculty can be admitted听 immediately into the second cycle, unless the Dean deems it necessary or听 opportune, prior to their admittance, to require that they take a preliminary course in Latin or in the fundamental concepts of canon law (Norms of听 Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 62, 搂1). Students who hold an听 academic degree in civil law may be dispensed from some courses of the听 second cycle (such as Roman law and civil law), but may not be exempt from听 the three-year curriculum of studies for the Licentiate (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 62, 搂2).听
3. Students who intend to pursue the course of Philosophy must present valid听 credentials of their having satisfactorily completed the civil requirements for听 admission to the University, aside from possessing a working knowledge of Latin.

4. With regard to new student applicants for the second or third cycles, the particular听 norm stated in the curriculum of each Faculty should be followed. In order to be admitted to the Doctorate, one must have first obtained the Licentiate (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 49. 搂 1).听
5. All international students who are not native speakers of the English language must听 take the TOEFL examination and submit a certificate of English proficiency.听听

Art. 23: DISCIPLINE听

1. Students admitted to and enrolled in the Ecclesiastical Faculties are bound by virtue听 of the fact to abide by and comply with all rules, regulations, policies and听 requirements of the institution. Students found wanting in the observance of rules,听 regulations, policies and requirements particularly, the observance of the study听 program, the attendance at classes, and the taking of examinations shall be subject to听 commensurate disciplinary action, as decided by the respective Faculty Council.听
2. In cases of grave violation of regulations, students may be suspended or even expelled from the Faculty. However, the students involved shall always be given the chance to听 defend themselves and thus, to safeguard their rights in accordance with the听 procedure established in the Student Handbook of the University (Veritatis Gaudium,听 Art. 35).听

Art. 24: STUDENT ACTIVITIES听

1. To provide the students with an adequate forum for student dialogue, with a venue听 to exercise co-responsibility in their formation, and with a representative body for听 their participation in the life of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, each of these shall have a听 Student Council to be governed by the rules of the Church and the University.听
2. Through the Student Council and its various commissions, the students shall be听 encouraged to organize academic, cultural, liturgical and community service activities. These and other related activities, particularly the academic, are to be听 supervised by the Administration of the respective Faculty according to the principles听 of solidarity and subsidiarity.听

Art. 25: OFFICIALS AND OFFICE STAFF听听

1. The authorities of the Ecclesiastical Faculties are assisted by a Faculty Secretary and a听 Prefect of Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties who shall be assistants to the Secretary听 General and the Prefect of Libraries of the University respectively.
2. The duties and functions of the Secretary are:
   b. To conduct the official correspondence of the Faculties;
   c. To keep the archives and records of the Faculties;
   d. To issue and sign the official transcript of records;
   e. To keep the official seal and affix it to the official documents;
   f. To assist the Vice-Rector for Finance of the University in the collection of fees and听 act as property custodian;
   g. To supervise the office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties;
   h. To be 鈥�ex officio鈥� secretary of the various Faculty Councils;
   i. To do other duties as may be delegated to him by the respective Deans.
   
   
3. The Prefect of Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties is responsible for the maintenance,听 improvement and supervision of the libraries and prepares the annual budget thereof.听 It is the duty of the Librarian to acquire books, old and new, as well as the principal听 reviews and magazines necessary for research, teaching and the practical exercises听 and seminars.听
   
   The Prefect of Libraries shall attend the Faculty Councils whenever matters pertinent听 to his duty are considered.听

4. To safeguard confidential information of the Ecclesiastical Faculties, the office staff听 must not be members of any labor union of the University.听

Art. 26: ECONOMIC MATTERS听

1. The University, through its Vice-Rector for Finance, shall provide the Ecclesiastical听 Faculties with the necessary financial assistance to carry out their educational mission.听 The annual budget shall include, among other things, an amount sufficient for the听 preparation and training of faculty members and their participation in scientific听 seminars and congresses as well as for the organization of special courses, symposia听 and lectures.听
2. Students are given appropriate scholarship for their studies. All are required to pay听 miscellaneous fees. Moreover, additional courses or subjects necessary to fulfill the听 A.B. or M.A. degree requirements are subject to fees similar to those charged in the听 Civil Faculties.

Art. 27: LIBRARY AND OTHER FACILITIES听

1. The Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall be provided with a sufficient number听 and variety of books, magazines, periodicals and Internet services, and other means听 of scientific information for study and research. Furthermore, all the materials in the听 Library shall be systematically cataloged, carefully stocked and made readily听 available. Complete indexes of subjects and authors must be easily accessible for use.听The library is headed by a trained librarian (Veritatis Gaudium, 55).听

2. The Library of the Ecclesiastical Faculties shall establish linkages with other similar听 libraries (Norms of Application of the Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 45).听
3. The Ecclesiastical Faculties must also have lecture halls, audiovisual and technical听 equipment and other tools suited to the teaching of the disciplines and proportionate听 to the number of students enrolled (Veritatis Gaudium, Art. 56, 搂1, and its Norms of听 Application, 42).

Art. 28: COURSES OF STUDY听

1. The courses of study are covered in three cycles:
   a.听The first cycle covers all the institutional subjects and a general initiation in the听 scientific method, after which the bachelor鈥檚 degree may be acquired.
   b. The second cycle covers special courses and special training in scientific听 investigation, after which the student may acquire the licentiate degree.
   c. The third cycle aims to lead the students towards academic maturity and a greater听 proficiency through scientific investigation as may be evidenced in the production听 of a scholarly thesis/dissertation truly relevant to the progress of the听 corresponding discipline.听
   
   
2. In the second and third cycles, the number of class hours shall be reduced in favor of听 practical exercises and seminars directed personally by the teachers of the disciplines听 concerned, to enable the students to devote more time for research.听
   
   
3. The subjects offered in the above-mentioned cycles are divided into:
   a. Main subjects which are mandatory for both ordinary and extraordinary students;
   b. Auxiliary subjects which must be taken by all ordinary students in addition to the听 main subjects;
   c.听Elective subjects may be offered in the second and third cycles.听
   
   
4. The Faculty Council shall decide which auxiliary subjects are to be assigned to the听 extraordinary students.

Art. 29: OFFICIAL EXAMINATIONS听

1. The sessions for Official Examinations are classified as:
   a.听Regular, which are given at the end of the Academic Year for the subjects offered听 throughout the year or at the end of the Academic Term.
   b. Special, which are given at the beginning of the school year.听

Outside of the aforementioned time schedule, no official examinations shall be听 allowed except for academic degrees.听

2. Examinations for the school year may be oral or written according to the decision of听 the Council of the respective Faculties.听
3. To be eligible for examination, the following are required:
   a.听To have been enrolled in the subject or course concerned;
   b. To have attended the required number of classes and seminars;
   c. In the case of a cleric or religious student, to have permission from his Superior if听 the examination is for a degree.听
   
   
4. An ordinary student who fails in a main subject is disqualified to pursue a course for听 an academic degree. Furthermore, a student who incurs two failures shall be听 disqualified from further admission to the Faculty.听
5. Ordinary students must successfully pass the final examinations in all subjects offered听 during the school year, before being admitted to the examinations for academic听 degrees.听
6. The Faculty Council shall determine whether the examination for academic degrees听 shall be oral, written, or both, as well as their duration. In any case, they shall cover听 the subjects pertaining to the respective cycles.听
7. Failure in an examination for a degree disqualifies the candidates from further听 admission to that degree. In individual meritorious cases, the Faculty Council, for听 good reason, may readmit a candidate to another examination.听

Art. 30: ACADEMIC DEGREES听

The cyclical Courses of Study offered in the three Ecclesiastical Studies lead to the听 following degrees:听

Bac. Lic. Doct.听

Philosophy 3 yrs. 2 yrs. 3 yrs.听
Theology 3 yrs. 2 yrs. 2 yrs.
Canon Law NA 3 yrs. 2 yrs.

Art. 31 OTHER REQUIREMENTS听

1. In the selection of the topic and the elaboration of the thesis, the requirements,听 pertinent thereto and as specified in the prospectus of each faculty, shall be followed.听
2. After the approval of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must have his thesis听 printed according to a form prescribed by the Office of the Ecclesiastical Faculties.听 Thirty (30) copies of the published dissertation shall be submitted to the Office of the听 Ecclesiastical Faculties before the diploma is granted to the graduate concerned, who听 only then may use the title 鈥渄octor.鈥� A printed copy of the dissertation is to be sent to听 the Congregation for Catholic Education.听
3. Candidates who have fulfilled all the requirements for degrees and are approved for听 graduation are required to attend the Graduation Exercises