What is a mandatum and why does a Catholic theology professor need one?
The mandatum is an authorization to teach as one who is in communion with the Catholic Church. The requirements for gaining or losing the mandatum have not been very specifically spelled out yet, so we’ll just have to see how it works out. Some bishops are inclined to give the mandatum to practically anyone who asks for it, or even people who don’t ask for it. Others might be a lot more stringent in terms of orthodoxy. To put it in context, it is important to say that the mandatum is not the main thing. The tone of the university is set by a lot of things other than the theology department. The theology department has its importance, but at present it is a minor thing at most universities. I think the mandatum is a fairly minor element in the whole picture. Do you think more than theology professors should have to have some kind of mandatum, or at least sign onto some specific mission? I don’t put a lot of confidence in loyalty oaths. I think people can be extremely loyal without takin
