Our Mission
Newman Theological College is a Roman Catholic School of Theology committed to theological education and missionary discipleship. The college prepares laity, religious, and ordained ministers for Christian service and leadership in Western Canada and beyond.
Our Vision
To develop life-long disciples and ministers of Christ through the formation of minds and hearts.
Context and Scope
A Roman Catholic School of Theology
NTC was founded in 1969 in the wake of the Second Vatican Council by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta. NTC grew out of the existing structure of St. Joseph Seminary which had already opened its doors in 1967 to lay people and religious for the study of theology. NTC is a private, Catholic academic institution dedicated to the study of theology and related disciplines. Its charter to confer degrees was originally granted by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on April 29, 1969. NTC has been an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada since 1992.
NTC carries out its mission for the Church in an ongoing partnership with St. Joseph Seminary whose particular mission is the human, spiritual and pastoral formation of future diocesan priests. Both institutions remain distinct, interdependent, and complementary. Lay men and women, diocesan clergy from Western Canada, along with several religious orders of men and consecrated women work together to fulfill the mission of NTC. In this way, NTC is infused with the life-giving collaboration of all members of the Body of Christ that is the beauty and grace of the Church.
About our Namesake
Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801—1890) was one of the great figures of theological reflection in the life of the modern Church. First as a leading Anglican divine and then as the premier Catholic theologian of nineteenth century England— Newman articulated a compelling vision of Catholic Tradition in challenging conversation with the modern world. This “illustrious man of the Church and important Catholic thinker” (Pope Benedict XVI) continues to shape Christian reflection and life and so serves as a life-giving model for the mission of Newman Theological College. Cardinal Newman was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in Coventry, England in September 2010 and canonized by Pope Francis in Rome in October 2019.
Theological Education:
Faith Seeking Understanding
Theology is situated within the broader evangelizing, teaching-educating mission of the Church which comes from Christ Himself. As is seen in the formation of the books of the New Testament, the special ministry of theology has been operative in the Church from apostolic times. Theology is primarily a faith-filled, intellectual, systematic, sustained, comprehensive and critical pursuit that probes and clarifies the meaning of Christian life in the light of the Revelation of God. It seeks to understand and integrate in the lived Christian reality the inexhaustible gift of God’s Truth and Love in Jesus Christ and the impact of this gift on every facet of Christian life: contemplative, apologetic, pastoral, spiritual, liturgical, inter-disciplinary, social and aesthetic. At NTC, we attempt to grasp a right understanding of the main issues of belief and behavior in response to the needs, problems, questions and challenges of the contemporary world and to the joy-filled urgency of the proclamation of the Word of God.
Christian theology at NTC is grounded in the divine-human drama which unfolds historically in Israel, Christ and the Church. As a result, at NTC, we study the special documentary witness to this history in Scripture and Tradition with the methodology and perspective embraced by the mind of the Church and required by all the historical documents.
The goal of theological education at NTC is the capacity for Christian service and leadership in the contemporary Church and world. Theological reflection on ministry is a part of every professional degree.
Spiritual formation and growth is integral to the preparation of men and women for service and leadership in the Church. Lay spiritual formation at NTC draws from Scripture and the many spiritualities in Christian tradition. It facilitates growth in discipleship and in living gospel values, recognizing the inter-relatedness in light of theological education, human maturing, and the universal call to holiness. We invite students to discover and develop a deeper relationship with God and Jesus Christ and to find the workings of the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.
A welcoming, personable and worshipping community is important to theological studies at NTC. We seek to incorporate in our communal life what is taught and learned. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to participate in worship as well as community and social events.
The learning goals of students at NTC are varied. Some students prepare for the ordained ministry, others for lay ministry, others to share in the special ministry of Catholic Education; still others attend NTC for personal faith enrichment and theological renewal. All men and women who have the necessary prerequisites for the various programs are welcome. Various teaching methodologies are used to respond better to the needs and learning styles of the adults enrolled at NTC. NTC, as an academic institution of higher learning in service to the Church, promotes that deepest satisfaction which derives from reflective discipleship of the crucified and risen Lord Jesus.
Inter-Catholic Collegiality
NTC recognizes, respects and supports the diversity of churches and church traditions within the Catholic communion, both Eastern and Western Catholic. Courses in Eastern Christianity are offered and the Eastern Christian perspective is incorporated into existing courses wherever possible.
Ecumenical Vision
This sensitivity to diversity also extends to the ecumenical dimension of Christian theology. NTC has students and professors from other Christian churches (e.g., Anglican, Evangelical, Lutheran, Orthodox) and it offers courses in some of these traditions. The college works collaboratively with local colleges of other denominations in many ways. There is also an awareness of the increasing importance of the knowledge of and dialogue with world religions.
The Church in Western Canada
NTC strives to remain open to the global dimensions of theology in the Church and in the world today as well as to be particularly aware of the Western and Northern Canadian context with its own experiences, problems and approaches. The important ministry of theological education is NTC’s invaluable contribution to the life and mission of the Church in Western Canada.