Goethe University, the Jesuit Order, and the Diocese of Limburg sign letter of intent for collaboration
The Jesuit Order, as the carrier of the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology (PTH), the Diocese of Limburg, and Goethe University Frankfurt aim to collaborate more closely in the future. A newly signed letter of intent outlines the goal of deepening the cooperation between the university and the higher education institution, as well as jointly strengthening teaching and research offerings. This initiative seeks to secure the future of the Catholic Theology field of study as well as the Sankt Georgen campus.
The letter of intent focuses on an inter-institutional cooperation between Goethe University’s Faculty of Catholic Theology and PTH Sankt Georgen, forming an inter-institutional faculty as permitted under the Hessian Higher Education Act. Students will be enrolled at both institutions, with faculty members from both available to them. Joint research projects will also be intensified. A cooperation council will address fundamental questions related to the inter-institutional faculty.
The university is also considering the acquisition of the Sankt Georgen campus using funds from the foundational assets of its endowment to specifically utilize the site for research, teaching, and international exchange. These funds come from endowment earnings and foundational assets, which must generally be preserved in their original form during such an acquisition. The purchase will not draw on financial resources from the university’s current budget. From Goethe University’s perspective, this investment not only offers opportunities for academic work and student housing but also provides a chance to relocate units currently housed in rented spaces to Sankt Georgen, thereby reducing expenses – an important goal in light of the budgetary constraints set by the state of Hesse.
“The future of smaller academic fields – among them Catholic Theology – is a matter of great importance to us, and this cooperation can make a significant contribution,” explains Goethe University President Prof. Enrico Schleiff. “At the same time, the Oberrad Campus has the potential to become a site where the humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts take center stage in societal debates with renewed vigor. As a complement to Westend Campus, this location offers the opportunity to conduct research and teach in a different environment, whether through flexible shared-office solutions, uninterrupted masterclasses, or international conferences. The available space also offers opportunities for the development of much-needed student housing – a strategic step that positions Goethe University as an active partner in addressing pressing urban and societal challenges.”
Speaking on behalf of the Jesuit order, Provincial Father Thomas Hollweck SJ states: “We Jesuits aim to enhance our global network of around 200 universities and colleges by collaborating with Goethe University to establish a theology site in Germany that strengthens Catholic theology’s engagement with neighboring disciplines and in public discourse. Additionally, we seek to provide high-quality education for various professional fields that have emerged and continue to evolve within Germany’s dioceses. The campus will continue to serve research and teaching as well as global church networking. It will offer education that enables young people to engage existentially and spiritually with questions of worldview and faith.”
Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing of Limburg, speaking on behalf of the dioceses supporting Hochschule Sankt Georgen (Hamburg, Osnabrück, Hildesheim, and Aachen), stated: “Frankfurt’s strength as a hub for theological research and teaching, deeply shaped by interreligious and intercultural connections, is further enhanced by the strengthened cooperation between Goethe University’s Faculty of Catholic Theology and Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology. This collaboration not only raises the profile of theology in Hessen and across Germany but also internationally, thanks to the Jesuits’ commitment. It provides significant momentum for a theology that is both academically robust and globally engaged.”
Following the signing of the Letter of Intent, the specific goals of this partnership will now be refined, and a detailed agreement will be developed to outline the intended structural collaboration. This agreement will be reviewed by the Jesuit committees, the diocese, and the university.
The two Frankfurt-based higher education institutions already maintain numerous connections, including a joint dual master’s program in Social Ethics in Healthcare, as well as several other collaborations between Sankt Georgen, the Faculty of Catholic Theology as well as other Goethe University faculties.
