Laymen and Theology

Six,--The letter printed in your issue of June 26 under the heading "Laymen and Theology" is one that should be answered sympathetically and without delay. E. M. Brooke will be delighted to know that there is already in existence a full course of Theology, Holy Scripture, Church History and other subjects, which is well adapted to the needs of laypeople and normally leads to a diploma in theo/ogy. The course was first devised in the summer of 1943. and I was nominated by the Hierarchy as Director of Studies. Since then large number of people have successfully completed the four years' course and have received the diploma, sometimes with honours, sometimes with a simple pass. One of the great merits of the course is that it can be taken as well at Land's End or John o' Groat's as in one of the larger educational centres, since all the tuition is given by correspondence. The standard for the diploma is high. though not impossibly so. but it is always practicable for a student to take one or two subjects of study without proceeding to the full diploma.
All particulars may be obtained from the Secretary of the Diploma Course. St, rideswides, Cherwell Edge, Oxford.
John M. T. Barton, (Rt. Rev. Mgr.)
Director of Studies, Consultor, Pontifical Biblical Commission.