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Study of Religion

Fribourg profile

In the modern age, religion, with its promises and perceived platitudes, is under suspicion of inhibiting endeavours to educate humans and speed up social progress. In the meantime, we live in a «religion friendly» society, characterised by new-found interest in «religious phenomena». So, the new role of religions in a pluralist and multicultural society is everything but clear. They provide potential for conflict and at the same time urge peace. They oppose secularisation and encourage it at the same time, as they are the expression of a confession and therefore promote neutralisation of the public.

The Faculty of Theology in Fribourg is the largest theology faculty in Switzerland and one of two Catholic theology faculties integrated into a state university. It is subject to national law, like the other University faculties, but in addition is acknowledged by the Church and is supported by the Dominican Order and the Swiss Bishops Conference.

The Faculty of Theology takes into consideration the variety of methods, but at the same time, as a science of faith, approaches religion as a confession and uses scientific resources to analyse and provide critical and constructive support to stimulate interreligious dialogue.
The Faculty of Theology offers study programmes which not only impart knowledge, but also lead to students clarifying and deepening their own position in the dialogue of religions and with religions.

Professors who are eligible to supervise theses

Biblical studies

  • Prof. Luc Devillers

Areas of specialisation:
– Origins of Christianity
– Canonical gospels

  • PD Dr. Philippe Hugo

Areas of specialisation:
– Hebrew Bible
– Greek Septuagint Bible

  • Prof. Philippe Lefebvre

Areas of specialisation:
– Bible
– Relationship between the Bible (Christianity) and culture, the Bible and literature, cinema

  • Prof. Thomas Schumacher

Areas of specialisation:
– Exegesis of the New Testament

  • Prof. Hans-Ulrich Steymans

Areas of specialisation:
– Exegesis of the Old Testament

Patristics and Church History

  • Prof. Mariano Delgado

Areas of specialisation:
– History of the Church
– Church and society in Latin America
– Church and society in Europe in general, with a focus on Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain
– Dialogue between religions
– Religion and violence
– Religion and migration
– Multiculturalism
– Christianity/Church and politics

  • Adj.Prof. Gregor Emmenegger

Areas of specialisation:
– Patristics and the history of the Church

  • Prof. Paul-Bernard Hodel

Areas of specialisation:
– History of the Church in the Middle Ages, modern and contemporary times

  • Prof. Franz Mali

Areas of specialisation:
– Early Christianity
– History of Christianity in the East, particularly in the Middle East

Faith and Religious Studies, Philosophy

  • Prof. Benoît-Dominique de La Soujeole

Areas of specialisation:
– Dogmatic theology

  • Prof. Gilles Emery

Areas of specialisation:
– The question of God
– The Trinity
– Christ
– Creation
– The Christian vision of mankind
– Life after death

  • Prof. Barbara Hallensleben

Areas of specialisation:
– Ecumenical questions
– Churches in the East
– Theology and spirituality of Churches in the East
– Questions on faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church
– Questions concerning the promotion of research

  • Prof. Veronika Hoffmann

Areas of specialisation:
– Dogmatic theology
– German-language theological currents of the 20th century
– The theological reception of Charles Taylor and Paul Ricoeur
– The doctrine of salvation
– Faith and religious indifference

  • Prof. Joachim Negel

Areas of specialisation:
– Fundamental theology

  • Adj.Prof. François-Xavier Putallaz

Areas of specialisation:
– Ethical, bioethical and societal issues

  • Adj.Prof. Bernard Schumacher

Areas of specialisation:
– Ethical, bioethical and societal issues

  • Prof. Helmut Zander

Areas of specialisation:
– Comparative history of religions and interreligious dialogue

Moral theology and ethics

  • Prof. Daniel Bogner

Areas of specialisation:
– General moral theology and ethics

  • Prof. Thierry Collaud

Areas of specialisation:
– Special moral theology and Christian social ethics

  • Prof. Hansjörg Schmid

Areas of specialisation:
– Islam and society, interreligious ethics

  • Prof. Michael Sherwin

Areas of specialisation:
– Spirituality
– Moral development
– Virtue ethics
– The theology of charity
– Philosophy and psychology of love

  • Adj.Prof. Markus Zimmermann

Areas of specialisation:
– Foundation of Christian social ethics
– Theological bioethics
– Equal distribution of health
– Decisions at the end of life
– Ethics of palliative care
– Work and social security
– Migration and integration

Practical theology

  • Prof. François-Xavier Amherdt

Areas of specialisation:
– Pastoral issues
– Parishes and dioceses, religious education and catechism
– Theology and humanities, particularly psychology and sociology
– Public Relations

  • Prof. Astrid Kaptijn

Areas of specialisation:
– Canon law

  • Prof. Martin Klöckener

Areas of specialisation:
– Liturgy
– Worship
– Celebration of the Sacrements
– Litugical periods and celebrations, Church year
– Rites
– Prayer
– Piety
– Popular piety
– Liturgical space, construction and furnishing of churches

  • Prof. Salvatore Loiero

Areas of specialisation:
– Pastoral theology

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

No ECTS credits can be earned.

Doctoral school

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Admission

In order to be admitted to a doctorate the candidate must have been awarded an academic Bachelor's and Master's degree or an equivalent qualification by a university recognised by the University of Fribourg.

Before applying for a doctorate the candidate must contact a professor who would be willing to supervise the thesis work.

There is no general right to be admitted to a doctorate.

The respective conditions of admission for each doctoral study programme are reserved.