THE CURIA
The Congregation of Studies has been more fortunate in its positive efforts than the Congregation of the Index has been in its negative efforts. Since 1915 the Congregatio Studiorttm is known as the Con- gregation for Seminaries and Universities, and its task is now much more extensive than formerly. It watches over and controls not only the religious universities and institutions of higher study conducted by Orders, but also all the educational foundations dedicated to the train- ing of the clergy, among which the very numerous diocesan seminaries require the largest measure of attention. This centralization of the clerical educational system under one authority guarantees that the minimum requirements for the training of priests will be met uni- formly by each country and people, even though some differences may persist in so far as the Church as a whole is concerned- It is the duty of the bishop and the diocese to conduct and maintain the seminary. The controlling hand of Rome is felt only when matters are not entirely as they should be, or when a bishop causes trouble. In addition, every exception an institution makes to the rules laid down must receive the assent of the Congregation. It decides, for example, whether illegitimate or physically abnormal young men are to be permitted to study theology.
Relations between the Congregation and the Universities are more intimate. The faculties of Catholic theology are naturally under its supervision, but it also is a court of last appeal in so far as Catholic universities in general are concerned, whether they have been founded and endowed by the Church or by lay benefactors. The Congrega- tion determines the degrees that are to be earned by priests and has the right to confer the honorary doctorate. The amount of control exercised is different in the several countries and varies also with the universities of a given country. Where the idea of academic freedom is as highly developed and as sensitive as it once upon a time was in Germany, the Congregation makes very little stir and carries out its official control more or less silently. The religious universities and colleges in Rome itself are naturally nearest to the hand and the heart of the Congregation. The national colleges, all of which are con- trolled by the Jesuits and are affiliated with the four Papal Universities, now number more than a dozen; and it is the Pope's express wish that every country should be united with Rome by a college of its own.
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