Governance & Legal Status
Governance, Church Relationship, and Legal Standing
Saint Mary Theological College & Ethio-American Cultural Institute operates under the spiritual authority of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and in fidelity to her faith, doctrine, and canonical order.
Relationship to the Church
Saint Mary Theological College exists to serve the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church by forming clergy, teachers, and faithful servants in Orthodox doctrine, worship, spiritual discipline, and pastoral life. The College understands theological education as a ministry of the Church and therefore maintains instruction, formation, and institutional life in obedience to the Church’s Holy Tradition and canonical order.
The College is guided by ordained clergy who provide spiritual oversight, theological direction, and pastoral leadership in all matters of formation, discipline, worship life, and ecclesiastical identity.
Governance Structure
The College is governed through a collaborative structure that preserves Orthodox ecclesial leadership while ensuring responsible administration:
- Clergy Oversight — Provides spiritual authority, doctrinal fidelity, pastoral direction, and discipline consistent with Orthodox canonical order.
- Administrative Board — Oversees institutional governance, finance, legal compliance, and operations in support of the ecclesiastical mission.
- Academic Administration — Coordinates programs, faculty, academic integrity, and student services consistent with formation goals.
This structure unites spiritual authority with sound administration for faithful stewardship and transparency.
Accountability and Stewardship
The College is committed to transparency, responsible stewardship, and integrity in governance and administration. Financial and operational decisions are made in service to the mission of the Church, honoring donor trust and ensuring responsible care of institutional resources.
Policies governing instruction, student conduct, faculty responsibilities, and institutional operations are maintained to preserve an environment of discipline, reverence, ethical conduct, and faithful Orthodox life.
Legal and Religious Status
Saint Mary Theological College & Ethio-American Cultural Institute is a religious educational institution operating in accordance with the faith and canonical tradition of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. In accordance with Texas Education Code §132.002(a)(2), the College is authorized to offer religious instruction and grant religious degrees.
These degrees are ecclesiastical in nature and are intended for ministry, theological formation, and service within the Church. They are not designed for secular professional licensing, governmental employment qualification, or automatic transfer into secular academic institutions.
Religious Degree Statement
All degrees issued by the College are religious and ecclesiastical in nature. Degree documents may include wording such as:
Institutional Policies
The College maintains policies and internal handbooks governing:
- Admissions standards and academic expectations
- Academic integrity and ethical conduct
- Student discipline and Code of Conduct
- Faculty responsibilities and instructional standards
- Institutional governance, finance, and compliance