Madam, - The special report on postgraduate studies in your edition of March 7th gives the impression that there are only "two main Irish institutions focusing on religious education, spiritual guidance and theological studies".
Maynooth College, founded in 1795 "for the better education of persons of the Popish persuasion", has since 1896 offered degree courses in theology to ordinands, and since 1979, with the co-operation of what is now NUI Maynooth, degrees in theology and arts to lay students also. For the past number of years there is also a bachelor's degree in theology available, designed mainly with the needs of lay students in mind. Religious education/catechetics and theology of spirituality are among the courses taught.
These degrees are awarded in virtue of a pontifical charter, and are state-recognised in many countries (including Ireland) as entitling their holders to consideration for admission to - especially but not only - the teaching professions. They also enjoy worldwide recognition as qualifying graduates for admission to postgraduate studies in theology. There is, incidentally, no "religious test", and students have regularly included people who are not Roman Catholic.
The theology faculty's own postgraduate section, accounting for about a quarter of its 400 or so students, offers postgraduate qualifications from higher diploma to doctoral level. Master's programmes include the possibility of specialising in systematic or moral theology, scripture, liturgy, church history and pastoral studies. The faculty also provides the religious studies component for NUI Maynooth's taught Master's programme in "Culture, Religion and Society in Modern Ireland".
Holders of postgraduate degrees in theology from Maynooth are to be found at all levels of teaching, including universities abroad, but also in the media and in the public service as well as among the clergy and people in religious life. - Yours, etc.,
MARY TANSEY,
Admission Officer,
Maynooth College,
Co Kildare.