The Institute is named in honor of The Rev. Prof. Dr. Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger, the renowed German Catholic theologian (1799-1890), who is widely considered the founder of Old-Catholic theology through his scholarship that focused on the ancient Catholic Church. Among other leading German scholars, Döllinger was the leading voice objecting to the pronouncement of the doctrine of papal infallibility that was declared by the First Vatican Council in 1870.

Established in order to provide continuing formation and advanced training in Old-Catholic theology and related fields for clergy and laity, the Institute is authorized to grant a Graduate Diploma in Old Catholic Theology to all participants who complete the course through affiliation with the Collegium Augustinianum Graduate School of Philosophy, Theology and Classics

The Institute for Old-Catholic Theology offers an annual intensive summer course open to clergy and laypeople seeking advanced study of Old-Catholic theology along with other sacred sciences and related fields.

The Institute focuses on Old-Catholic theological methodology, patristic theology and traditional Old-Catholic approaches to dogmatic theology, historical theology, moral theology, sacramentalogy and ecclesiology in addition to workshops in liturgical and sacramental praxis. The esteemed Faculty and Fellows of the Collegium Augustinianum Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology serve as the Institute Faculty along with distinguished Guest Lecturers and Visiting Scholars from nearby universities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Villanova University.

The total cost of the summer course is $1,050.00, which includes a Continental breakfast and lunch every day. The 2021 Summer Discounted Pre-Registration is now open! A minimum of 50% of the course tuition is due at the time of registration and the remaining 50% is due May 20, 2021. Housing fees must be paid at the time of registration for reservation.

Download the Summer Course Program here (PDF)