Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt

The Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt is committed to its twofold historical roots: on the one hand, it emerged from the Episcopal Philosophical Theological College (since 1924), which in turn went back to the Collegium Willibaldinum, founded in 1564, which existed until 1807 and was rebuilt in 1843 as a lyceum has been. The other historical root is the Eichstätt University of Education, founded in 1958 by decision of the Bavarian bishops. In 1972, the two ecclesiastical universities in Eichstätt and newly established technical college courses were combined to form a comprehensive university. In 1980 it became the Catholic University of Eichstätt, and in 2001 the name was expanded to include Ingolstadt. Ingolstadt also looks back on a long tradition: in 1472 the University of Ingolstadt was founded there with papal approval as the first Bavarian university.

Under the protection of the church and the state, the universities were established in the 12th and 13th centuries; Popes and emperors have given these communities of learning, teaching and research privileges. The cooperation between state and church in Bavaria enables a Catholic university today – the only one in the German-speaking area.

The then chairman of the Bishops’ Conference in Freising, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, wrote about the transformation of the entire university into a Catholic university: “My wish for the Catholic University of Eichstätt is that it powerfully bring these spiritual origins of our culture into effect in the educational landscape of the present and thus far beyond the circle of teachers and students working on it, it was fruitful for the whole, which such forces urgently needed in a crisis situation. “[1]

The Catholic University shares this wish today and in the future. It is their constant endeavor to approach and implement the idea of ​​a Catholic University with seriousness and determination. The claim and obligation that derive from the term “Catholic University” consist in being open to the knowledge as a whole and widening the view for the whole. “Because of a certain kind of universal humanism, the Catholic University is fully dedicated to the research of all aspects of truth in its essential connection with the highest truth that is God.” [2] This mandate challenges and commits all those at the KU are active.

The model of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron of the university, who – “promissa nec aspera curans”, “taking care of promises, not earthly adversities” [3] – was helpful and guiding principle – remained true to her convictions. “If necessary, the Catholic University must have the courage to speak inconvenient truths that may not please public opinion, but which are necessary to protect the true good of society.” [4]

According to the foundation constitution, the “responsibility for the fulfillment of their mandate and the strengthening of the Catholic character (…) lies primarily with the university itself”. [5]