The papacy — one of the biggest stumbling blocks for non-Catholics (and possibly for some Catholics as well). Have you ever struggled to answer questions about the papacy? Can you defend papal authority from both the Old and the New Testaments?
Beginning March 1, The Catholic Distance University will present a three-week Online Interactive Seminar: Jesus, Peter, and the Keys: the Papacy in Scripture. The seminar will be an in-depth study of the biblical foundations of the papacy and will feature returning scripture scholar, Ph.D. candidate Sebastian Carnazzo. The Diocese of Arlington Office of Catechetics is co-sponsoring this adult faith-formation opportunity. Continuing Education Units (CEUs)/Clock Hours are available for catechist and Catholic school teacher certification. Participation is open to anyone, and those who are involved in any way with faith education or evangelization are particularly encouraged to participate in the seminar. Discounts are available for catechists and Catholic school teachers in the Diocese of Arlington.
Seminar Highlights
The first week will explore the meaning behind Simon Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the Christ, literally “The Anointed One” of the House of David.
Week two will focus on Jesus’ re-naming of Simon to Peter, literally “rock,” and how it is foreshadowed by the rock of Moriah — foundation stone of the Temple — and Abraham, who was the “father” and “rock” of the Old Testament.
In the third week participants will come to understand that with a change of name comes a change of mission. Peter’s new mission as the living rock on which Christ would build His Church involved the power and responsibility of the keys to the kingdom, just as the Lord had given Eliakim the “key to the kingdom of David” centuries before.
How They Work
Each week of the seminar includes a posted “lecture” in the virtual conference room, an online self-check quiz over that week’s material, posted Q&A/discussion and a reflection question. Throughout the seminar participants have the opportunity to ask questions of the instructor, and discuss the material with others from around the country and the world. Upon completion of the seminar, the participants submit a simple one-page reflection paper to CDU. Other features include “Coffee on the Porch” — an area where participants can enjoy informal, student-led conversation — and a virtual chapel that presents an opportunity for prayer through weekly meditations.
For more information or to enroll, go to CDU’s website at www.cdu.edu.
Who is CDU?
Distance education caters to those whose schedules, locale, or family obligations don’t allow them to attend traditional, on-site classes. Since it was founded in 1983, The Catholic Distance University (CDU) has educated over 10,000 people in 40 countries in the Catholic faith.
CDU serves Catholics and non-Catholics who wish to learn more about the Catholic Church, deepen their Faith, and/or pursue professional development in religious studies. CDU is the first Catechetical Institute in the United States officially recognized by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy to teach the Faith through distance learning. Besides two Master Degrees in Religious Studies, CDU offers the Vatican-approved Catechetical Diploma, undergraduate courses and programs in adult continuing education. CDU is approved for DANTES and Veterans educational benefits and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, which is recognized by the US Department of Education as the officially recognized accrediting agency for distance learning.
