Page 25 - B_ProfiloStorico
P. 25
Profilo storico | Historical Profile 37
Theology
Modena didn’t have a tradition of theological studies at university level.
The only teachings that were given, were the ones by the Seminary
room, which was placed at that time in the rectories of the Dom, seat of
the present notary Archive.
Since in the public Studium the degrees were awarded by the respective
professional Colleges and that in Modena a College of Theologians was
missing, it was erected from the ducal authority, that provided motu pro-
prio (on its own initiative) to emanate the relative Statutes. The creation by
the civil power – without any papal authorization – of such organism
caused, predictably, contrary opinions and objections about the canonic
validity of the qualifications awarded, a problem destined to find a solu-
tion, as explained below, only in the third decade of eighteenth century.
Basing on the Statutes of the Theologians College, the prior role was
given by right to the pro tempore Guardian of the Congregation of Beata
Vergine (Blessed Virgin) and of San Carlo (Saint Carl); the members,
indeed, were chosen impartially between the exponents of the several
religious orders present in the city.
In the fact, however, the theology chairs were held almost exclusively by
the priests of San Carlo and by the Dominicans. It’s exactly thanks to the
Dominicans, that occurred the regularization of the situation of the Theo-
logians College, and so the definitive recognition of the University to grad-
uate in theology: father Giovanni Domenico Agnani, prominent member
of the Preachers order, intervened by the Roman Curia in favour of the
Modena Studium, where he taught for twelve years. Thanks to his good
offices, the rector Sassarini could send a letter to Benedict XIII, he too Do-
minican, to ask for the authorization to the award of the Theology degrees.
The permission arrived, through a proper papal breve, on the 23 of
rd
June 1728, together with the indemnity for the degrees awarded before
of that date.
Antonio Consetti, Portrait of Ludovico Antonio Muratori, 18th century, Aedes Muratoriana, Modena Frontespizio del Tractatus in universam Theologiam Moralem di Filippo Maria Grossi, Modena, 1694 Frontispiece of the Tractatus in universam Theologiam Moralem by Filippo Maria Grossi, Modena, 1694