AUSTRALIAN Catholic University students will soon have an opportunity to work inside the Roman Curia following the signing of a new internship agreement.
ACU and the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life recently signed an agreement offering students a chance to work closely with the Dicastery’s officials in the Vatican promoting the advancement of youth, family and elderly ministry, bioethics, sport, and supporting the development of the life and apostolate of the lay faithful.
The unique professional placement will give students a chance to support the Dicastery’s events – that include World Youth Day – and participate in significant research and support communications channels while gaining a rare insight into the work of the Roman Curia for between eight and 24 weeks.
ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis said the internship continued ACU’s commitment to working closely with significant institutions within the Catholic Church.
“Following on from our historic partnership with the Australian Embassy to the Holy See earlier this year, this new agreement with the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life will give our students more opportunities to work inside the administrative offices that support the Pope’s governance of the Church,” Professor Skrbis said.
“Our students will undoubtedly come away from their internship experience with a level of understanding of local customs, culture and ways of working, as well as an appreciation of the complex nature of the Catholic Church.
“ACU is once again committed to finding more ways to strengthen our identity and connection to the Eternal City.”
The Dicastery is responsible for the advancement of vocations, the mission of the faithful lay in the Church, the pastoral care of young people and families, and the development and protection of human life.
One of the Dicastery’s major undertakings is the World Youth Day, the largest Catholic youth festival in the world held every two to three years, including in Sydney in 2009 and next year in Lisbon.
Other World Days organised by the Dicastery are the World Meeting of Families, being held in Rome this month, and the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in July.
The Dicastery’s Vatican officials, including Prefect Cardinal Kevin Farrell, will welcome the first ACU student intern in Semester 2, 2022.
For more information about the ACU Rome Internship at the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, contact ACU Study Abroad and Exchange on 02 9739 2074 or email study.abroad@acu.edu.au.
More information about the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life can be found at the website http://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en.html.
