Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Mar 30: As many as 83 students including 30 laity completed the one year diploma course in theology on Saturday March 29. The course was introduced by St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, with the intention of equipping the laity and the religious with basic and sound knowledge of theology in 2002.

Handing over the certificate to the participants, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, said, “This was the largest batch since the inception of the course. Initially, the course lasted for two years and four batches (2002–2010) had completed the course. But in 2010, the course was shortened to a year and together with the current batch, four more batches have completed the course,” he said, and added that over the years, 300 people have benefited from the course. The classes are held on Saturdays (July to March) from 3 to 6 pm.

Dr Aloysius D’Souza further said that the course was introduced in order to educate the laity more about spiritual aspects. He asked the participants to disseminate what they learnt and thanked them for participating in the programme.

The course on theology included introduction to theology and Bible, fundamental liturgy, the synoptic gospels, Christology, the Gospel of John, moral theology, Pauline Letters, Mystery of the Church, canon law, and so on.

Fr Joseph Martis, rector of Jeppu seminary, and Fr Ronnie Serrao, co-ordinator of the programme, were present on the occasion. Mavis Rodrigues, Bendore, one of the participants, shared her experience.