The Department of Old Catholic Studies offers a unique theological education that combines interdenominational and interreligious perspectives with a strong focus on ecumenism and the history and theology of Old Catholicism.
The German Old Catholic Church emerged in 1873 from a broad-based movement of Catholics who opposed the papal dogmas of the First Vatican Council (1870). Drawing on the spirit of the ancient, undivided Church, many of these reform-minded Catholics sought to meet the needs of their time with ecumenical openness and with a commitment to freedom of conscience and to the dignity of every human being. We understand this tradition not as a closed legacy but as a resource that can help us engage the challenges of today.
The department works closely with the Faculties of Protestant Theology, Catholic Theology, and Philosophy at the University of Bonn, as well as with Old Catholic university institutes in Bern, Prague, Utrecht, and Warsaw. We also collaborate with Anglican, Islamic, Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox scholars, and participate in academic exchanges with Anglican institutions in the US and UK.
Our staff:
Achim Jegensdorf (Secretary) E-Mail
Dr. des. Theresa Hüther (Research Fellow) E-Mail
Prof. Dr. Andreas Krebs (Director) E-Mail
Dr. des. Ruth Nientiedt (Research Fellow) E-Mail
Prof. Dr. Günter Eßer (Emeritus) E-Mail
Prof. Dr. Christian Oeyen (Emeritus) E-Mail
Our address:
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Alt-Katholisches Seminar
Adenauerallee 33
D – 53 113 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 228 / 73 – 7330 🇩🇪🇬🇧🇫🇷 (Achim Jegensdorf)
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