Few would argue that the Pope is the most-recognized
person in the world. As religious leader for approximately
one-sixth the world's population his spiritual influence
is vast, and the Pope is also capable of tremendous political
and moral influence that transcends religious denominations.
For Catholics, the Pope's significance is based on the Pope
being "the perpetual and visible source and foundation of
the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of
the faithful"; (Catechism para. 882). The aim of
this course is to allow participants to explore what the
Church teaches about the Pope by examining three aspects
of the Papacy: primacy, infallibility, and elections. While
not a comprehensive history of the Papacy, the historical
dimensions of each of these aspects will illuminate and
enrich our understanding of the contemporary situation.
Unit 1: Course introduction, overview
of Papal primacy, infallibility, and the election of Popes.
Unit 2: Papal Primacy:
- How did we get from Peter (Apostle,
Jerusalem) to Pope (Bishop, Rome)?
- What makes the Bishop of Rome different
from other Bishops?
- What is the nature of the authority
and ministry of the Pope, and how has it developed?
Unit 3: Infallibility
- What does the Church mean by infallibility?
- How and when did the Church's teaching
on infallibility arise?
- How is this teaching interpreted?
Unit 4: Papal elections
- How is the Pope elected?
- What are different ways that Popes
have been elected?
- Can the Pope resign, or be removed
from office?
- Six weeks in duration (orientation
to online learning included).
- Typically 15-20 students in each course.
- All course content available online
in text format.
- Supplemental readings are provided
to encourage further exploration of topic.
- Short written assignments required
for each unit.
- Weekly facilitator-moderated chat session
with students in course.
All course material included online.
Readings will include:
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Excerpts from Vatican I and Vatican
II Councils.
- Writings and excerpts from Popes, Church
Fathers, and the current Magisterium.
- Selected articles and other resources.
Requirements for course include:
- Weekly reading of assigned texts.
- Participation in class discussion using
discussion area (minimum 2 comments, questions or responses
weekly.)
- Weekly written assignment (150-200
words.)
- Course evaluation.
- 4 to 6 hours a week (time varies from
student to student depending on your learning style and
schedule.)
A Certificate of Completion awarding 30
Contact Hours will be sent upon completion of all course
requirements.
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Greg Doyle is originally
from the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC. After
completing undergraduate degrees at Notre Dame, he
served in the Navy as a submarine officer in Charleston,
SC and then worked at a commercial nuclear power plant
in Maryland. He returned to Notre Dame for theological
studies, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree.
Greg began working with STEP while a graduate student
during the first year that STEP eCourses were offered,
and started full-time work there upon graduation.
He and his wife have two sons.
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