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The University of Abertay Dundee is validating a certificate of pastoral ministry aimed at lay people working for the church in the Roman Catholic dioceses of Dunkeld, Galloway and Motherwell.

Successful students will be able to perform certain parish tasks, such as preparing people for the sacraments, leading parish groups and carrying out administrative and pastoral work.

Bernard King, UAD's principal, said: "The university is committed to working with the community in all its aspects. The programme in pastoral ministry fits in very well with our mission to provide vocationally relevant higher education which allows individuals to develop their own skills and learning, while contributing to the wider good of the community."

The two-year part-time course includes the mission of the church, the relevance of the scriptures to parish life, the sacraments and pastoral care. The modules will win points under the SCOTCAT credit accumulation and transfer scheme.