Rome, Italy, Jul 15, 2020 / 09:10 am
Rome's pontifical universities will again hold in-person classes for the upcoming academic year, as they make adjustments to operations during the continuing coronavirus emergency.
After temporarily shutting down in early March -- and then switching to online classes for the remainder of the academic year -- the Vatican-accredited schools have been directed to make every effort to teach in person for the 2020-2021 academic year.
The Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education directed in June that ecclesiastical universities should "ensure that the teaching be delivered primarily and preferentially in the ordinary way ... with the system of lectures, exercises and seminars held in the presence of students and teachers."
The pontifical universities, which offer degrees in theology, philosophy, and related disciplines, will also be required to follow all health and safety measures indicated by local authorities.