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 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. Sigrid Eder

Areas of specialisation:
– Exegesis of the Old Testament

• Adj.Prof. Nesina Grütter

Areas of specialisation:
– Old Testament / Hebrew Bible
– Semitic linguistics
– Septuagint
– Textual criticism
– History of religions and materiality (Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region)

• Prof. Gudrun Nassauer

Areas of specialisation:
– New Testament

• Prof. Philippe Lefebvre

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

• Prof. Thomas Schumacher

Areas of specialisation:
– Exegesis of the New Testament

Patristics and Church History

• Prof. Mariano Delgado

Areas of specialisation:
– 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. Bernhard Blankenhorn

Areas of specialisation:
– Dogmatic theology

• Prof. Emmanuel Durand

Areas of specialisation:
– The question of God
– The Trinity
– Christ
– Creation

• 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 20^th 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. Bernard Schumacher

Areas of specialisation:
– Ethical, bioethical and societal issues

Moral theology and ethics

• Prof. Daniel Bogner

Areas of specialisation:
– General moral theology and ethics

• Prof. Didier Caenepeel

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

• Prof. Hansjörg Schmid

Areas of specialisation:
– Islam and society, interreligious ethics

• Prof. Luc-Thomas Somme

Areas of specialisation:
– General moral theology and ethics

• 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. Talitha Cooreman-Guittin

Areas of specialisation:
– Pastoral and practical theology
– Disability, old age, cognitive impairment
– Spiritual care

• Prof. Astrid Kaptijn

Areas of specialisation:
– Canon law

• Prof. Michel Steinmetz

Areas of specialisation:
– Liturgy
– Worship
– Celebration of the Sacrements
– Rites