ROME, SEPT. 25, 2002 (Zenit.org).- The Catholic Church and Rome’s La Sapienza University signed an agreement to offer for the first time a master’s degree in church design and planning.
The master’s program will begin at the end of November at the university’s School of Architecture. It is designed for architects and construction engineers.
«This is a very important initiative — I would say necessary,» said Father Giancarlo Santi, an architect who is director of the ecclesial Department of Cultural Properties.
«The Catholic Church has always promoted architecture,» he said. «Over the past 50 years, some 100 parishes have been built every year. Hence, a synergy between those who project the work and the liturgist is increasingly necessary, so that the final result is in keeping with the spirit and letter of the liturgy.»
The idea is to offer formation to young people with a bachelor’s degree, which will enable them to design and plan these buildings but also to foster dialogue, explained Roman architect Giuseppe Mongelli, director of the master’s program.
«We want those people who design and plan [churches] to meet with people of the religious realm, stimulating fruitful reflection, both in those who commission the work, who are the first users, as well as the technical personnel who must carry it out,» he added.
The course, which runs from November to July 2003, is sponsored by the Diocese of Rome, the College of Architects of that city, Roman construction associations and a lighting company.
More information is available through unbce@chiesacattolica.it.
