A financial support agreement for the theological faculty of Bochum, University of Ruhr, was subscribed by the nuncio in Germany, Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, and Prime Minister of North Rhyne-Westfalia Land Armin Laschet: financial safety for this academic institution was thus assured. In the agreement, the Holy See and the Land declared they would further support Catholic theology in the programmes of the University of Ruhr, whether priest training occurs in Bochum or not. In Bochum, the existence of the institution was called into question as soon as the diocese of Essen (to whom this Ruhr city belongs) shifted the training of its priests to the seminary of Münster. During his meetings at the Vatican, Laschet spoke about the need to keep the faculty, committing himself to supporting it, and asking everyone for it to remain an important hub of university education. At present, the theological faculty of Bochum relies on about 750 students – males and females – almost 200 of whom are studying “Magistra Theologiae”, while the others are following undergraduate or master courses to teach in schools.