THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION IN THE UKRAINIAN GREEK-CATHOLIC CHURCH AT THE END OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Abstract

The article analyzes the development of theological education in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at the end of the 20th century. It also determines the role of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in the formation of the strategy for the development of theological education within the framework of the «Concept for the development of theological education in Ukraine» approved by the same Synod (Concept, 2000) and other regulatory and legal documents, analyzes the development and activities of higher theological educational institutions and theological seminaries at the beginning of their formation in the context of the new legislation of Ukraine on higher education. In addition, here was revealed the organization of theological education in theological seminaries of the UGCC, taking into account contemporary challenges and problems in different regions of Ukraine. Attention is focused on the fact that the development of theological education in Ukraine is connected with the formation of regulatory and legal support, since in Soviet times theological education was under a de facto ban, during the period of independence it was limited by Ukrainian legislation, and only on the twenty-fifth anniversary of independence discriminatory restrictions on the development of theological education in Ukraine were finally removed. The gradual liberalization of the regulatory and legal framework regarding educational processes in the activities of institutions of higher spiritual education in Independent Ukraine is analyzed. It was established that gradually in various circles the question of the need to equalize the rights of spiritual (confessional) and secular education began to be raised. Until now, institutions of higher theological education held the exclusive right to provide theological education. It was established that with each subsequent year of Ukraine's independence, the issue of recognition of the results of educational and scientific activities of institutions of higher spiritual education was raised with increasing urgency. The discriminatory attitude towards the system of theological education in the Soviet era changed to an adequate attitude and the corresponding regulatory and legal consolidation in the educational Ukrainian legislation, which enabled institutions of higher theological education to fully function in the educational environment of Ukraine. The author of the article convinces about the need for the development of theological education in Ukraine in order to ensure the necessary level of training of candidates for pastoral ministry, theologians and specialists in other forms of church service, as well as the creation of conditions for social determination of the importance of higher spiritual education and social integration of graduates of higher theological educational institutions, who would be able to provide the formation of a Christian worldview and Christian spirituality in a modern citizen of Ukraine.

Key words: theological education; concept of theological education; theological seminary; theological institutions of higher education; Ukrainian greek-catholic church.