India's Jesuit-run Vidya Jyoti College of Theology has launched a distance education facility based in Kuala Lumpur to cater to the increasing needs of the church in Muslim-majority Malaysia.
Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim of Kuala Lumpur was the chief guest for the June 4 opening of the Distance Education Program in Theology launched in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute of Kuala Lumpur.
Father Rajakumar Joseph, program director, said it was important to bring theology to the public sphere by involving more laypeople in learning and integrating theology in life situations.
"That is why the distance education program in theology is vital," he told ucanews.com after returning to New Delhi, where Vidya Jyoti is based.
Organizers said many people want to enroll in the diploma course. "We could take only 112 for the first batch, while many others are on a waiting list."
The program aims "to empower the laity in their theological journey" and "increasing the participation of the laity in forming and building ecclesial communities," he said.
The program is available online to students both in India and overseas. The Jesuit center looks to expand theological education and engagement in the region to help the mission of the church, Father Joseph said.