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BTI Consortium | Last Updated November 17, 2025 - 3:00PM
CHURCH POLITY & CANON LAW
School
Boston College School of Theology & Ministry
TMPS8122
Canon Law of the Sacraments
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
This course examines Book IV of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, the sanctifying munus of the Church. It presents a canonical study of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, other Acts of Divine Worship, and Sacred Places and Times. Special emphasis is placed on the Sacrament of Marriage, not only on substantive norms (cann. 1055-1165) but also on Book VII as regards the Process for Declaration of Marriage Nullity. A comparison with selected norms of the 1990 Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches will highlight some specificities of Sacramental Law of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Students who have not completed an introductory course in Canon Law are required (prior to the beginning of the course) to submit a preliminary essay to the instructor demonstrating basic knowledge and appropriation of the essential elements of the Code of Canon Law and insights from the work of Martin De Agar, Joseph T., A Handbook on Canon Law (Wilson & Lafleur, 2007).
Professor
Class Day & Time
Ponzone, Andrea
W
04:00PM-06:20PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes
One year of graduate level theology required; recommended, Introduction to Canon Law (TMPS8121), or equivalent.
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2962
The Lutheran Church (ELCA): Its Marks and Practices
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
This seminar focuses on Martin Luther's theological reappraisal of the Church, exploring central teachings of the Lutheran movement and its contemporary practices in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Opportunity will be given to focus a semester project on an aspect of the church's practices related to the student's interests and vocational preparation.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Lutjohann
TBD
TBD
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
CLAW 6025
Autocephaly in the Orthodox Church
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
This course aims to survey the concept, canonical foundations, development, and institution of autocephaly in the Orthodox Church through a historical lens from the Nicaean period to today. A primary focus will be placed on critically examining the institution of autocephaly, the manners through which it has been historically proclaimed, and the theories surrounding how it is proclaimed today. Special attention will be given to the creation of the Churches from the 16th-21st centuries including the Churches of Russia, Greece, and Ukraine as well as the case of the OCA.
Professor
Class Day & Time
V. Rev. Bartholomew J Mercado
M
2:10 - 4:30 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
DOGM 6075
Dogmatics III
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
The study of the seven holy sacraments: baptism, chrismation, Eucharist, ordination, matrimony, repentance and unction in historical, liturgical, and dogmatic perspective.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris
R
2:10-4:30 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
PATR 5030 H1
Orthodox Christianity II
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
A basic introduction to the history, theology, and spirituality of the Orthodox Church. Emphasis will be placed on the theology of the Ecumenical Councils, the writings of the Church Fathers, and classic works of Orthodox spirituality.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Constantine R. Newman
F
2:10 - 4:10 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
1.5
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
Y
Notes
Prereq: Orthodox Christianity I
School
Saint John's Seminary
TH551
Ecclesiology
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
This is a systematic study of the nature and mission of the Church, emphasizing particularly the vocation and mission of the baptized._All classes will meet in person in St. John�s Hall.`
Professor
Class Day & Time
Fr. O�Connor
S
8:30AM - 12:30 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Alternating Saturdays
School
Boston University School of Theology
STHTC 723
UMC Polity
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
Covers the polity, structure, procedures, and ritual of the United Methodist Church along with the basic structure of and ecclesial concepts contained within its Book of Discipline. Designed to meet one of the requirements for membership in a UMC Annual Conference.
Professor
Class Day & Time
de la Rosa, Cristian
M
2:30-5:15pm
Credits
Letter or P/F
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Harvard Divinity School
HDS 2975
United Church of Christ Polity
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
The history, polity, theology and practice of the United Church of Christ. Issues addressed throughout include covenantal polity, how five historic streams combined to form the UCC, theological framings, wider church mission and justice, professional practices, and the ordination process. This course seeks to enhance authorized or lay ministry at the local church level by strengthening understanding of the covenantal connections among all settings of the UCC. MDiv students seeking ordination in the UCC are urged to take this course but all are welcome. Auditors by permission of instructor only.Permission to enroll in the course will be granted as petitions are received. If enrollment exceeds the allowed limit, priority will be given to those needing the course for UCC ordination, followed by date of petition submission.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Girash
M
10:00am-12:59pm
Credits
Letter, P/F
Credits
4
Professor Approval Req'd?
Y
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
Permission to enroll in the course will be granted as petitions are received. If enrollment exceeds the allowed limit, priority will be given to those needing the course for UCC ordination, followed by date of petition submission.
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
DOGM 6051 Z1
Dogmatics II
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
The doctrines of Christology, Pneumatology, and Ecclesiology, emphasizing the conciliar Patristic Tradition. Emphasis will be placed on certain patristic writings and on the official statements of the Ecumenical Councils
Professor
Class Day & Time
Rev. Fr. Demetrios Bathrellos
ASYNC
ASYNC
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
Y
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
INDS 7200
Sem: On The Ecumenical Patriarchate
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
The seminar will examine the origins, canonical basis, and historical development of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The distinctive contributions of the Patriarchate to theology, liturgy, spirituality, philanthropy, social welfare, missions, iconography, and architecture will be discussed. Special attention will be given to the contemporary mission and witness of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the first see of the Orthodox Churches, as well as its primatial responsibility in guiding Orthodox conciliarity and addressing contemporary concerns. The special role of the Patriarchate in the ecumenical dialogues, inter-faith conversations, and environmental protection will be highlighted. This seminar is especially designed for students who plan to participate in the Study and Travel Program in Greece and Constantinople.
Professor
Class Day & Time
V. Rev. Bartholomew J Mercado
F
2:10 - 4:30 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
School
Saint John's Seminary
TH503
Ecclesiology
BTI Category
Semester
Church Polity/Canon Law
SP26
This course is a systematic study of the foundation, nature, structure and mission of the Church. The course follows the treatment of themes found in the Vatican II Constitution Lumen Gentium, and gives particular emphasis to the revealed doctrine of the necessity of the Church, the holiness of the Church, and the relation of the Church to other faiths and to the temporal order.
Professor
Class Day & Time
Fr. Macdonald
R
9:00-10:15 AM; 1:15-2:30 PM
Credits
Letter, P/F, Audit
Credits
3
Professor Approval Req'd?
N
Online?
N
Prerequisites?
N
Notes
N
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