Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – After seven years of education and research, the Bioethics School at the Pontifical Ateneo Regina Apostolorum has been canonically erected by the Holy See, with a decree dated October 16, 2008. The announcement was made by Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès, OP, Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, during the ceremony inaugurating the 2008-2009 academic year. The students, staff, and faculty of the Ateneo were moved with deep gratitude at the news, which was communicated through a letter from the Prefect of the same Congregation, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, addressed to the Grand Chancellor, Father Alvaro Corcuera, LC.
“The final erection of the School of Bioethics,” said Rector Father Pedro Barrajon, LC, “is a great source of joy for us, because it strengthens our bond to the Holy Father and encourages us to continue in our commitment to defending human life from conception until natural death.” In his inaugural speech, Archbishop Bruguès explained that “the most urgent task for our Church today is that of once more offering the delight of eternity.” Addressing the academic community of the Ateneo, he reminded them that this task “should be a priority for those who, like you, are responsible for transmitting and educating. Keep in mind the paths of hope. In more secular terms, teach our society how to believe in its future.” The School of Bioethics of the Pontifical Ateneo Regina Apostolorum began its classes in October 2001.
The school, which is the first of its kind in the world, was begun as a response to John Paul II's invitation in Evangelium Vitae, to “activate a great campaign in support of life.” The objective is to form biotechnical professionals that can competently respond to the many complex ethical problems that arise in the area of biomedical and bioethical science, in regards to respect for human dignity and the defense of life for each and every person. There are various possibilities for working in this area: clinical bioethics committees, hospitals, and biomedical and biological research centers, universities and centers for higher education, institutions dedicated to studies on marriage and the family, structures for help and service, and various ecclesiastical institutions. The formative plan for the School of Bioethics is made up of three main stages: Bachelor's, Licentiate, and Doctorate, in addition to the Masters Program and the International Summer Course for Higher Perfection. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2008)
