The University of Bonn as a University of Excellence and its Faculty of Catholic Theology stand for modern research and teaching as well as the opportunity to study in the heart of the city and society. In this respect, the planned establishment of flexible housing concepts for priesthood candidates in the vicinity of the University of Bonn can be an innovative step. At the same time, the 100-year tradition of training priests at the Collegium Albertinum, from which outstanding theologians have emerged who are still at the forefront of the curia in Germany and worldwide, is coming to an end.
Regardless of the changes planned by the Archdiocese, the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Bonn is and will remain the place of study for candidates for the priesthood of the Archdiocese of Cologne. According to the Concordat, the binding treaty under international law, the University of Bonn's Faculty of Catholic Theology is the academic training center for candidates for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Cologne. The Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia pointed out the current legal situation once again in September 2022. The University of Bonn, its Senate, and its University Council had previously reaffirmed this unequivocally in a joint resolution in July 2022. This was also met with broad approval and support outside the University in church and society.