Theologische Fakultät Paderborn

The Theologische Fakultät Paderborn (Paderborn Faculty of Theology) is a state-recognised church-run university under the sponsorship of the Archiepiscopal See of Paderborn. With a tradition of more than 400 years, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Westphalia; as the legal successor of the old University of Paderborn, it still uses that university's seal from 1614. Pope Paul VI granted it the legal status of a theological faculty with the right to award academic degrees in June 1966, and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia recognised it in October of the same year. It therefore holds the same rank as the theology faculties of public universities.