Claus Arnold

Claus Arnold is a German academic specializing in Catholic theology and church history. He currently holds the position of University Professor (W 3) for Medieval and Modern Church History/Religious Folklore at the Catholic Theological Faculty of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.

• Education: Studied Catholic Theology at the University of Tübingen (1986-1992); Visiting Student at the University of Oxford (1988/89); Doctorate in Catholic theology from the Philosophical and Theological College of St. Georgen (1997) in cooperation with Goethe University Frankfurt am Main.

Arnold's research focuses on long-term historical analysis of Catholic institutions and theological developments across multiple centuries:

• Central to his work is the 16th-century church and theological history, particularly during the confessionalization period
• He extensively examines 19th-20th century developments including ultramontanism and the modernism crisis
• His research also encompasses educational history and university history
• He investigates the history of the Roman Curia and regional ecclesiastical history with a focus on the Upper Rhine ecclesiastical province (Mainz, Rottenburg, Freiburg)

His career has included multiple academic appointments:

• Research Associate at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (1992-1997)
• Research Assistant at University of Münster (2000-2004)
• Acting Chair at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (2003/04)
• Professor (C 3) for Church History at Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (2004-2014)

Arnold has received significant academic support through:

• His scholarship holder position with the Cusanuswerk (1988-1992)
• A habilitation scholarship from the FAZIT Foundation (2002)