DECREE OF ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. ALBERT INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION: (AN INSTITUTE FOR STUDIES IN ECCLESIASTICAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES)DIOCESE OF KAFANCHAN, NIGERIA

In pursuance of the pastoral objective of self –reliance for the purposes of effective evangelization, which is understood as: self-ministration, self-propagation and self-support as called for by Pope St. John Paul II in his Ecclesia in Africa (no 104), and having received the required consultative vote from the Diocesan Presbyteral Council at our first quarter meeting of 2010, I now Decree that there shall be established in the Diocese of Kafanchan, An Institute for Higher Education named after St. Albert the Great. The Institute shall at this initial stage concentrate on academic activities leading to the attainment of first cycle degrees in ecclesiastical studies and other humanities particularly in the areas of Philosophy and Theology. The Institute shall have within it a special “Seminary-Hostel” for Seminarians who will be studying for the Priesthood. It shall be for our local Church a great undertaking and a Ministry towards realizing our quest for capacity building for effective evangelization in such places like: our Parishes, Schools, Pastoral Centres, Tribunals and in some of our economic empowerment and social development centres. During our first Diocesan Synod in 2001, we understood self –reliance as: The ability of a particular Church to determine the direction and pace of its development according to its special circumstances and with regard to the peculiar problems it faces and the resources available to it to deal with such problems (cf. Acts and Proceedings of 1st. Kafanchan Diocesan Synod no.266). The quest for self-reliance is not an end itself but a necessary stepping stone to realizing Our Lord’s mandate to proclaim the Good News of Salvation to the whole world (Mtt 28:19)

Signed__________________________	Signed    _______________________
+Most Rev. Joseph D. Bagobiri	Rev. Fr.  Jonah Stephen
Bishop of Kafanchan	Chancellor/Notary
Date: 8th. April 2010

 

PROPOSED STATUTES OF ST ALBERT’S INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION:

1. ENACTMENT:

Be it enacted by the Diocese of Kafanchan (hereinafter referred to as Diocese) that there shall be established an Institute for Higher Education IN THE Diocese to be located at Fayit – Fadan Kagoma, of Jema’a Local Government Area in Kaduna State, and named after St. Albert the Great. It shall be a body corporate by the name “St. Albert’s Institute for Higher Education (hereinafter called, "The Institute") and shall be constituted in accordance with these Statutes.

CHAPTER ONE

NATURE, PURPOSE, PROPRIETORSHIP AND LOCATION OF THE INSTITUTE
2. NATURE OF INSTITUTE:

It shall be a first cycle degree awarding Institution in ecclesiastics and humanities. It shall be affiliated to a Pontifical Faculty in accordance with the norms of Sapientia Christiana especially art.62 no.2 – for the ecclesiastical sciences and to a Nigerian University for the Humanities. Students shall graduate at the end of a four-year study programme with a bachelor degree that is recognized by both the Laws guiding higher education in Nigeria (National Policy on Education) and those of the Catholic Church as is contained in Sapientia Christiana of 1979 and Ex Corde Ecclesiae 1990, and the code of canon law of 1983. The Institute shall therefore grant ecclesiastical degrees at the Baccalaureate level especially in the area of Philosophy, Theology, New Evangelization and other degrees as well as diplomas and certificates in affiliation with a reputable Nigerian University.
3. STUDENT ENROLLMENT:
The Institute shall enrol as students both those studying for the Catholic Priesthood (with a view to ministry in the Church), and other students who have the talent and disposition for higher education but (with a view to service in the wider secular society). Those studying for the priesthood will live in the specially designated Seminary Hostel - within the large expanse of land covering 109 Hectres belonging to the Institute under the named “Christ the King Seminary Hostel/College”(cf.Pastores Dabo Vobis 60,61, 62).
OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SEMINARY HOSTEL:
It is to implement without compromised what is envisioned by the Synod Fathers in nos.60, 62, and 63 pastores Dabo Vobis: The Seminary above all else, an educational community in progress. It is a community established by the Bishop to offer to those called by the Lord to serve as apostles the possibility of re-living the experience of formation which our Lord provided for the Twelve. In fact the Gospels present a prolonged and intimate sharing of life with Jesus as a necessary premise for the apostolic ministry. Such an experience demands of the Twelve the practice of detarchment in a particularly clear and specific fashion, a detachment that in some way is demanded of all the disciples, a detachment from their roots, from their usual work, from their nearest and dearest (cf. Mk1:16-20, 10: 28, Lk9:23, 57-62, 14: 25-27). As St. Mark teaches, before being sent out to preach to heal, they are called to be with him (Mk 3:14). In its deepest identity the Seminary is called to be, in tis own way, a continuation in the Church of the apostolic community gathered about Jesus, listening to his word, proceeding toward the Easter experience, awaiting the gift of the Spirit for the mission.... In the Seminary, the Bishop is present through the ministry of the rector and the service of co-responsibility and communion forstered by him with the other teachers, for the sake f the pastoral and apostolic growth of the students. The various members of the Seminary Community, gathered by the Spirit into a single brotherhood, cooperate, each according to his own fift in the growth of all in faith and charity so that that they may prepare suitably for the priesthood and so prolong in the Church and in history the saving presence of Christ, the good Shepherd..... The Seminary shoud strive to become a community built on deep friendship and charity so that it can be considered a true family living in joy. Experiencing the Seminary as an educational ecclesial community, must be the must be the particular physiognomy of every seminary. Inasmuch as it is an educating community, the Seminary and its entire life must be committed to formation in the : human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions of future priests. The purpose of this to help candidates for the priesthood acquire the following qualities: a right intention, a sufficient degree of human maturity, a sufficiently broad knowledge of the doctrine of faith, some introduction into the methods of prayer and behaviour in conformity with Christian tradtion. They should also have attitudes proper to their regions, through which they can express their effort to find God and the Faith (Cf. EN no.48).
4. MISSION STATEMENT:

TRAINING VISIONARY AND PURPOSEFUL LEADERS FOR CHURCH AND SOCIETY: BY FORMING MEN AND WOMEN TO CHRISTIAN MATURITY: ON THE HUMAN, SPIRITUAL, INTELLECTUAL AND PASTORAL DIMENSIONS OF LIFE (AND ALL THIS DONE IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL) IN ORDER PREPARE THEM TO BECOME RESPONSIVE TO THE TASK, NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF BOTH THE PARTICULAR CHURCH AND THE SECULAR ENVIROMENT SHE LIVES IN.

5. VISION STATEMENT:
The Institute aspires to be nationally recognized as a Catholic institution of choice for higher education in ecclesiastical sciences (with a biased to new ways of evangelization) and other humanities towards forming visionary leaders in both the Church and society. As an educational Institute, it shall strive to become a suitable environment for the development of critical minds who will be engaged in systematic enquiry into fundamental life issues and challenges.
6. GOALS/PURPOSE OF THE INSTITUTE:
i. To prepare young people for productive life and effective leadership in both the Church and society through sound formation aimed at wholistic development of the person, with a bias in the art of critical and systematic enquiry on fundamental life issues and challenges; and this done in an atmosphere that is respectful of the mutual and complementary roles of faith and reason in the human search for truth. The Institute shall promote fruitful dialogue between faith and reason; between the Gospel and Culture and between Christian thought and modern sciences. It will prepare students for a form of life where African culture is penetrated by the light of the Gospel, and the Gospel of Christ is given an African expression (cf forward Sapientia Christiana).
ii. To run Courses first in Philosophy aimed at the formation of critical minds and through this prepare recipients for further studies in theology and evangelization and other Humanities or secular sciences with a view to producing visionary leaders with passion, for both the Church and Society in the future. iii. It shall prepare students to live their Christian vocation in a mature and responsible manner, able to assume positions of responsibility in the Church and Society. The students will be challenged to pursue an education that combines excellence in the humanities, cultural and high moral development, sound religious convictions and specialized professional training.
iv. The Institute shall endeavour to provide tertiary education and a well-balanced training in an atmosphere of peace, tailored towards meeting various needs and challenges both in the Church and Society without discriminating against or excluding any set of students of our society, provided they are qualified and socially fit to pursue such studies in the Institute.
v. The Institute shall run a Chaplaincy ministry in view of the mixed nature of its enrolment. The Chapel is situated in the heart of the premises of the Institute to highlight its importance as a place of worship and encounter with the living Christ for both the Formators and Formandees. The pastoral ministry of such an organ will seek to integrate faith and life in a healthy way through the various activities and disciplines in the Institution. It is hoped that through the opportunities that the chaplaincy services shall provide such as: prayer, the sacraments and catechesis, the Catholic-Christian-spirit of staff and students is nourished and strengthen for vigorous and productive academic and physical work.
vi. To respond positively to the very encouraging vocations to both the priesthood and religious life by providing a platform for sound formation and this too being done within the cultural setting of our particular Church.
vii. To promote scholarship at tertiary level within this locality for the teeming young people who want to study philosophy, Catholic Social teachings, theology, evangelization and other humanities not only with a view to becoming Priests or Religious (but for some of them), to work in the public domain and earn a living through the knowledge and skills acquired in the Institute.
viii. To encourage more lay people with the aptitude for studies in these areas to do so in order to live more effectively as a leaven in the secular world and help in the transformation of the social order by constructively engaging it from within (Cf. EN 18).
ix. To help upgrade the knowledge and capacities of the multitude of our catechists so as to better equip them for ministry and service both within the Church and in society.
x. To overcome the challenge of Students from Kafanchan Diocese having to travel long distances (sometimes running to over 1000 kilometres) for the purpose of studies in Philosophy, theology, evangelization (missiology) and other humanities which can now be obtained right at their door steps.

xi. All round development of candidates is four main dimensions understood as follows: Human maturity: The training should help the formandee to mould his personality in such a way that becomes a bridge and not an obstacle for others in their quest for meeting with Jesus Christ the Redeemer of humankind. This means, they are not be arrogant, or quarrelsome, but effable, hospitable, sincere in words and heart, prudent and discreet, generous and ready to serve,capable of opening themselves to clear fraternal relationships(devoid of sin and lust), and of encouraging the same in others, quick to understand, forgive and console, mastery over human sexuality (PDV 44). SPIRITUAL MATURITY: That they would have hearts that wont, until they are rested on Christ and Gospel, that they will possess an intimate and unceasing relationship with the Trinity. INTELLECTUAL MATURITY: That their training prepares them capable of “making a defense of their faith and give an account of the hope we have in Christ (IPt 3:15). The purpose here is not primarily to make each of them an intellectual, but to equip each with what they need for an intelligent and effective ministry /service. While Philosophy leads to a deeper understanding and interpretation of the person, his freedom and relationship with God and the world; the social sciences would provide a deeper understanding of man and society, and theology, the study of sacred doctrine, would nourish their faith, to that point that in all things, they would proceed from faith, be sustained in faith, and to attain their fullest potentials in faith. PASTORAL MATURITY: That this will help them come to the appreciation of the axiom that the purpose of all formation is help them to become servant leaders, after the example of Christ the Good Shepherd (M10:40ff).

7. LINK WITH THE HOLY SEE:
The Institute falls under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for Catholic Education of the Holy See. It shall also maintain close links and collaboration with the Congregation for the Evangelization of the Peoples and its Organs.
8. LINK WITH NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY:
The Institute shall maintain close link with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) with regard to affiliation of programmes for the award of degrees recognised by the State. The Institute shall be located at Fayit-Fadan-Kagoma, in the Diocese of Kafanchan, as its official and central administrative offices.
9. PRESERVATION OF THE CATHOLIC IDENTITY OF THE INSTITUTE:
The Local Ordinary of the Diocese who doubles as the Proprietor of the Institution, shall, working closely with the Rector who represents him in the Institute (cf PDV no. 61),and other functionaries/organs of the Institution, see that the Catholic Identity and academic goals and objectives of the Institution are maintained at all levels of its life. Any official action or commitment of the Institute shall be in accord with its Catholic identity. The Institute shall carry out its teaching, research and other activities with Catholic ideals, principles and attitudes ((Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Gen. Norms art.2.2).
10. PROPRIETORSHIP:
The Diocese being the sole Founder and Owner of the Institute, it follows that the Local Ordinary of the Diocese shall in perpetuity be the Sole Proprietor, and consequently the Chancellor of the Institute.
11. CHRIST THE KING SEMINARY HOSTEL WITHIN THE INSTITUTE:

It shall be the general function of the Seminary to provide in accordance with the principles laid down in the Code of Canon Law, especially can 232ff on the Formation of Clerics, The Ratio Fundamentalis for Seminary formation produced by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), and other relevant Church documents such as Pastores Dabo Vobis and Optatam Totius, the necessary education for those who wish to go forward for the Catholic Priesthood. For the purpose of carrying out this function, it shall be the duty of the Seminary:-
I. To provide such facilities as are necessary and adequate for a seat of learning at this level and make same available to all those involved in the Seminary formation.
II. The CKC Seminary Hostel/Institute shall enjoy the rights of Juridical Personality (C. 238.1262).
III. The CKC Seminary Hostel/Institute Shall function as an educational Community established by the Bishop of Kafanchan to offer those called by the Lord to serve as Apostles the possibility of re = living the experience of formation which our Lord provided for the twelve. The CKC Seminary Hostel Shall offer formation in a manner that meets with laid down ecclesiastical standards and reflects the particular pastoral peculiarities of our diocese as have been accentuated in the two diocesan synods held in 2001 and 2011 respectively. It will therefore adopt a method of formation that will strive to build a community of friendship and charity so that it can become truly a family living in joy and deep faith in Christ.(cf PDV 60)
IV. As an educational ecclesial Community, The CKC Seminary Hostel shall be committed to the wholistic development/formation of candidates, paying special attention to their growth at the Human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral dimensions and levels of the human person.
V. In order to achieve these goals, due solicitude will be given to can.253 on the need for the recruitment of personnel who are suitable and competent, who will help the Seminary/Institute realize its defined objectives.
VI. The Diocese shall employ her vast experience with the Renew Process, to make Faith Sharing in small groups an integral formation=ingredient for the personal appropriation of the faith by the Seminarians and students of the Institute.
VII. The Seminary Hostel Model will provide the Diocese the singular opportunity to train future priests in ways that will make them conversant with the Challenge of New Evangelization in present day circumstances.
VIII. The purpose for this is to help candidates for the priesthood shade off the “leaves of the flesh” and imbibe gifts and fruits of the Holy spirit that would enable them become Shepherds after the Heart of Jesus = the Good Shepherd (Jer 3:1five and