Research Unit Pastoral and Empirical Theology (original) (raw)

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies contains five Research Units: Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology and the Study of Religions, Theological and Comparative Ethics, History of Church and Theology, and Pastoral and Empirical Theology. These research units have been entrusted with the teaching of theology and religious studies in the Faculty programs, with research, with the formation of research personnel, and with social and ecclesiastical services related to each discipline.

Research in Pastoral and Empirical Theology

Pastoral theology is the critical theological reflection on the pastoral mission of the church. Aligned with the four dimensions of the Christian community, four domains of pastoral theology can be distinguished. The research unit is structured according to these domains:

• Koinonia: identity and community
• Kerygma: religious education and communication
• Leitourgia: liturgy and sacraments
• Diakonia: pastoral care and Christian social engagement

The research unit opts, in line with the profile of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, for a hermeneutical approach, involving a mutual interpretation of both the Christian theological tradition and the lived faith of people. This hermeneutical approach is the ground for both fundamental and practical theological research in the field of pastoral theology.

A prominent place in the research unit is given to practical theology. This is the critical theological reflection on current practices of faith in the light of the Christian theological tradition in order to formulate a revised practice. Empirical research, featuring quantitative as well as qualitative methods, plays an increasing role in the research unit.

The hermeneutical and practical theological approach, together with the variety of methodologies, gives shape to the interdisciplinarity of pastoral theology and fosters cooperation with other domains of theology, with religious studies and philosophy, and with other (human) sciences, especially with psychology, education, social sciences, and medicine.

Professors

• Frederiek Depoortere: catechetics; public theology; theology and culture; religious and spiritual aspects of technology
• Annemie Dillen: empirical theology; spirituality; lived religion; children; families; pastoral care
• Joris Geldhof: liturgical theology; Eucharist; sacramentality and sacredness; secularism and sacraments; Romanticism
• Hans Geybels: Church and media; theology and art; religious folklore
• Axel Liégeois: care ethics and personalism; theology, mental health, and disability; Christian identity of care organisations
• Didier Pollefeyt: post-Holocaust Jewish-Christian relations; identity of Catholic schools; religious education
• Anne Vandenhoeck: pastoral and spiritual care; spirituality; practical theology
• Wim Vandewiele: empirical research; sociology of the Church/religion; religious communities and organisations

Emeritus Professors

• Marc Steen: God and human suffering; practical ecclesiology; eschatology

Research Unit Updates

• Click here for updates for and within the Research Unit.

First- and Fourth-Year Presentations

• Researchers in their first and fourth year are expected to present to the Research Unit. At the beginning of the academic year, relevant parties will be contacted by the secretary to determine which general meeting the presentation will occur in.
• Presentation guidelines can be found here.

Second-Year Doctoral Evaluations

• Researchers in their second year will be contacted by the secretary to arrange a time for their doctoral evaluation.
• Additional information on the second-year doctoral evaluations can be found here.

Doctoral Course

The doctoral course component of the PhD program is to be determined in agreement with the promotor and researcher. Once all requirements have been met, the researcher is to upload "Attest 4: course component on doctoral level" to KULoket (in the "PhD Progress" section). Be mindful of the due date.