Brief History of the School of the Faith and Leadership
Global Origins and Model
Foundation: The School was established in Mexico in 1975, primarily to assist Mexican bishops in training religious educators.
Vatican Accreditation: The School was authorized by the Holy See in 1979 to grant Educator in the Faith titles, managed through the Congregation for the Clergy and academic validation via Anahuac University.
Global Spread: It has spread to many countries in Africa, and to Nigeria in particular. It came to Sokoto Diocese in early 2022 and was inaugurated by Most Rev Dr Matthew Hassan Kukah on November 22, 2023, and Very Rev Dr Casmir Obi Chukwuemeka was officially appointed as the Chapter President and Director. The School began by registering students for Basic Theology, and the first graduation of its students took place on November 30, 2024.
The School in the Catholic Diocese of Katsina
The Catholic Diocese of Katsina was created in 2023 and Most Rev Dr Gerald Mamman Musa was ordained as its Bishop. The School was introduced to him and he accepted it. Rev Fr Dr Casmir Obi Chukwuemeka was mandated to handle the Katsina Chapter, where there are indigenous Christians. Programmes for indigenous Christians are done in the Hausa language through Faith Outreach, and programmes in English are done online.
Online programmes
Online programmes are extensive. Register and study from anywhere in Nigeria and other places.
Programmes
- Basic Theology and Catechesis
- Leadership
- Educator in the Faith
Check the admission flyer for more information.
Courses for Basic Theology
Duration: Two semesters
- Introduction to Faith and Salvation History
- Introduction to the Bible / Old Testament
- Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Pious Societies, Origin and Spirituality
- God the Father of Humanity
- Christology and Mariology
- Ecclesiology (The Church)
- Liturgy and Sacraments
- Introduction to the New Testament
- Life in Christ
- The Ten Commandments
- Marriage Counseling
Courses for Educator in the Faith
Duration: Six semesters
- Introduction to the Bible / Old Testament and New Testament
- Fundamental Catechesis / Practical Catechesis
- Faith Didactics and Pedagogy
- Trinity and Creation
- Anthropology and Original Sin
- Christology and Mariology
- Lay Spirituality
- Prayer / Liturgy and Sacraments
- Integral Human Development
- Pastoral Leadership
- Fundamental Moral Theology
- Specific Moral Theology
- Apologetics
- The Ten Commandments
- Ecclesiology (Study of the Church)
- Eschatology
- Marriage Counseling / Natural Family Planning (Billings Method)
Management
- Chapter President / Director
- Academic Director
- Ministry Outreach Coordinators
- Promotional Coordinators
- Registrar
- Centre Coordinators
Vision
To make the true Christian message take root in the lives of our people, through training, faith formation and apostolic motivation of the faithful.
Mission
To participate in the Church’s mission of evangelization by training the trainers and deepening the faith of lay members of the Church.