In a cultural context marked by profound questions about identity, affection, sexuality, and family, the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum is launching an academic program specifically designed for the Spanish-speaking world: the new  Biennial Online Diploma in Moral Theology of Marriage and Family 2026-2028 . We spoke with the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Fr. José Fernández San Román, LC, to learn about the key aspects of a program that seeks to combine academic excellence, accessibility, and a clear vocation of service to the Church.

Why was this new Diploma in Moral Theology for Marriage and Family created?

It arose in response to a very specific need we see throughout the Church. Today, we find priests, religious, educators, and lay people who wish to accompany others on such important issues as marriage, family, emotional education, and matters related to sexuality. However, there is often a lack of specialized training opportunities that offer a profound, systematic, and practical perspective.

We live in a fascinating time because love and personal identity have never been discussed so much, but it’s also a complex time because there are so many questions and so much confusion surrounding these topics. We want to offer solid tools to respond with intelligence, empathy, and hope.

What is the main objective of the program?

Our goal is to train individuals capable of illuminating the great anthropological and pastoral challenges of our time. This involves not only transmitting academic knowledge, but also helping to develop discernment skills and the ability to accompany others.

Evangelization today needs well-prepared people. We need men and women who deeply understand the Christian vision of the human person and are able to engage in dialogue with contemporary culture. This diploma aims to contribute precisely to that mission.

The Theology of the Body features prominently in the program. Why?

Because it constitutes one of the great treasures of the thought of Saint John Paul II and one of the most current proposals for understanding the human vocation to love.

The Theology of the Body offers an extraordinarily positive vision of the person, the body, affection, and marriage. It allows us to discover that sexuality is not an isolated aspect of existence, but an essential part of the call to communion and love.

We believe that this perspective has an enormous capacity to answer many of the questions that young people, families, and pastoral agents are asking themselves today.

What content will students find during the two years of training?

The academic program is carefully designed. During the first year, fundamental subjects are studied, such as Theology of the Body, anthropology, morality of life, education of affectivity and sexuality, fundamental morality, sexual morality, and marriage ministry.

In the second year, students delve deeper into areas such as the Social Doctrine of the Church, moral discernment, virtues, the sacramentality of marriage, and the study of recent Magisterium teachings on the family.

In addition, fundamental documents such as Veritatis Splendor ,  Familiaris Consortio ,  Amoris Laetitia  and  Humanae Vitae are studied  , essential texts for understanding the moral and family reflection of the Church in recent decades.

What differentiates this diploma from other training programs?

I would say three aspects. First, its highly specialized nature, as it belongs to the Second Cycle of Theology, awarding 36 ECTS credits over two years. Second, the academic quality of its internationally renowned faculty. And finally, its accessibility.

We wanted to make it possible for anyone from Latin America or the Spanish-speaking world to access top-level training without having to travel to Rome.

Furthermore, the professors are doctors specializing in various areas of Moral Theology, several of them collaborators of organizations of the Holy See and with extensive teaching and research experience.

The online format is another of its strengths.

Absolutely. All training is delivered online and live. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays during the first semester and Wednesdays during the second semester, from 3:00 PM to 6:45 PM Rome time, which greatly facilitates participation from Latin America. In other words, an intensive morning of classes in the time zone of the Americas.

Many students especially value being able to combine their pastoral, family or professional responsibilities with a high-quality university education.

We have also opted for a dynamic methodology based on synchronous classes, active participation, written assignments, and continuous monitoring. There will be no traditional exams or a final dissertation, which fosters a more practical learning experience applied to pastoral practice.

Who is this program aimed at?

Primarily for priests, religious, seminarians and lay faithful who wish to seriously delve into the Moral Theology of marriage and family.

The standard requirement is a Bachelor’s degree in Theology or completion of the six-year philosophical-theological program at the seminary, as this is a second-cycle theology course. However, participation as an auditor is also possible.

Finally, what message would you send to those who are considering signing up?

We would tell them that this is an extraordinary time to learn. Every day, thousands of people are looking for answers about love, marriage, family, raising children, or the meaning of human sexuality.

The Church needs evangelizers capable of accompanying these searches with depth, sensitivity, and hope. This diploma program aims to help train such individuals. This initiative arose from dialogue with bishops in Latin America who raised this need.

It is an invitation to study rigorously, to think deeply, and to serve better. Because when the human person is placed at the center, formation becomes a true mission. And the future of evangelization is also built in the classroom. And from the classroom to the evangelizing mission.

Registration will be open until September 24, 2026.  Those who decide to embark on this academic journey will not only find a program of studies; they will discover an opportunity to grow, serve better, and respond with renewed strength to the call of the New Evangelization.

Link to the Diploma program, including schedules and program details, as well as the registration link:

Biennial Diploma in Moral Theology (distance learning) in Spanish – APRA