Theological education is becoming an increasingly fragile affair. A decade of 'reform' in higher education, primarily directed towards the university sector, has had spin-off effects that have led to an increase in administrative and financial loads on theological colleges.
Previously colleges obtained accreditation of awards at little cost. Now state agencies operate on a cost-recovery basis. In order to achieve Higher Education Provider status, colleges must submit to a quality audit costing tens of thousands of dollars in audit fees, not to mention the internal institutional costs of the process.
With large institutions these costs can be defrayed, but with smaller enrolments and low student fees, theological colleges have little option but to turn to their churches for increased underwriting. This comes at a time when mainstream churches are suffering a significant decline which also impacts financially on them.
As they say, something has to give, and in Brisbane something has now given.
For two years the Catholic college of the Brisbane College of Theology (BCT), St Paul's Theological College has been in negotiations with Australian Catholic University (ACU) aiming to merge the two theological faculties. As both were located on the same site, this seemed a sensible rationalisation. The major sticking point in these negotiations was the importance of maintaining the relationship with and viability of the BCT.
However in a merger the financial costs of St Paul's, currently borne by the Queensland Catholic dioceses, would be lessened by access to Commonwealth supported places for their seminarian program. The BCT was aware of these negotiations and had signed a memorandum of understanding with ACU in relationship to research programs.
These negotiations have supposed the desire of the three constituent Churches, Catholic, Uniting and Anglican, to maintain their commitment to the BCT. It now seems that this commitment has faltered.
Various Anglican dioceses have desired to establish a more unified approach to ministerial training. The Anglican member of the BCT, St Francis' Theological College, has been subjected to various reviews over the past few years to consider options available to it.
Thse discussions have largely revolved around the availability of Commonwealth supported places either through St Mark's Theological College, associated with Charles Sturt University (CSU), or with St Barnabas' Theological College, associated with Flinders University in Adelaide.
Matters came to a head when the BCT faced the demands of its upcoming reaccreditation. Due to a particular set of circumstances — including