Moscow scientific university announces chair in theology
Moscow (AsiaNews)
- One of the most prestigious scientific schools in Russia, the National
University for Nuclear Studies, also known as "Mefi" is about to open
a new department dedicated to theological studies. Announced
by Forbes magazine, the news has quickly spread on the internet causing some
controversy. The
initiative, reportedly, was undertaken by the university, but there are those
who will see yet another "pitch invasion" of the Russian Orthodox
Church in society, in a climate of tension in relations between the Moscow Patriarchate
and civil society, after the Pussy Riot case.
The
Department will be chaired by the Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, Hilarion,
chairman of the Synodal Department for External Relations of the Patriarchate. Archpriest
Vladimir Shmaliy, Vice Chancellor of the University's postgraduate church
studies, explained that the idea of a theology department belongs solely to the
university and dates back to 2010, during a visit by Patriarch Kirill. In
the past Mefi hosted courses for Orthodox seminarians on physics, astronomy and
chemistry and now Christian scholars "reciprocate" with courses on
the history of the Church, dogma and religious culture. They
are, however, voluntary lessons and the university said it would not prohibit
students expressing different and contrary views and religious beliefs will not
be a discriminating factor for access to courses.
As
reported by Izvestia, the Church is preparing a document entitled "The balance
between faith and science" and the new theology department should help to
provide students with a less Manichean vision of reality, "in which faith
and reason are not necessarily at odds, "explained the Patriarchate.
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