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Ex-corde ecclesiae and CDU
The Catholic Church has been operating universities for a thousand years and was involved in education for a thousand years before that. When John Paul II issued the apostolic constitution Ex corde ecclesiae (15 August 1990), he restated the tradition and experience of the Church as it relates to Catholic universities.
He explained the role of faith in the working of the faculty, staff, and students. He also set down how research and teaching are illuminated by Faith. The university is an intellectual community but it is intellectual in a uniquely Catholic way because it respects the truth. As Pope Benedict XVI said: "Only in faith can truth become incarnate and reason truly human, capable of directing the will along the path of freedom" (cf. Spe Salvi, 23).
It is this faith that nourishes and guides the Catholic university and makes it a genuine intellectual community. The Catholic Distance University takes Ex corde ecclesiae as its guiding light.
The principles that guide us are:
“Every Catholic university, as a university, is an academic community which, in a rigorous and critical fashion, assists in the protection and advancement of human dignity and of a cultural heritage through research, teaching and various services offered to the local, national and international communities.” (art.12)
“Since the objective of a Catholic university is to assure in an institutional manner a Christian presence in the university world confronting the great problems of society and culture, every Catholic university, as Catholic, must have the following essential characteristics:
[1]. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such;
[2]. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research;
[3]. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church;
[4]. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life.”(art. 13)
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A global community dedicated to a love of truth
The Catholic Distance University is the premier online Catholic institution of
higher education using the latest technology to create a global community of faculty and students dedicated to the search for truth and a love of knowledge for the glory of God.
Communicating the mind and heart of the Church through technology
The mission of CDU is to educate adults worldwide in the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. CDU’s mission responds to the command of Christ to teach all nations (cf. Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15; Lk 24:47). It does this in support of the evangelizing and catechizing mission of the Roman Catholic Church, in fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium, the documents of the Second Vatican Council, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other magisterial documents, and in cooperation with local dioceses.
CDU serves, in particular, Catholics who wish to deepen their faith and/or pursue professional development: the laity, among them parents and catechists; priests, permanent deacons, and religious. It also welcomes non-Catholics who wish to learn more about the Catholic Church. CDU offers degree and non-degree programs using a variety of distance education techniques and technologies, including online courses and distance programs requiring no residency.
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Hamilton, Virginia 20158-9012