28 April, 2025
We are deeply honoured to welcome Professor Rita George-Tvrtković, Professor of Theology, and Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy & Theology at the Benedictine University, USA, to lead the International Interfaith Reading Group session on Womanhood in Interfaith Contexts.
Here are more details of this fascinating event.
Title: Bridge or Barrier? Mary & Christian-Muslim Relations
Abstract: The Catholic conciliar document Nostra Aetate acknowledged that Christians and Muslims share a devotion to the Virgin Mary. But did Christians always view her as a bridge between the two religions? A few medieval Latins stressed concord between the two Marys, but others raised the Virgin on military standards in battles against Muslims. My talk will consider the history of Mary’s role as both bridge and barrier in Christian-Muslim relations.
Speaker’s Biography: Professot Rita George-Tvrtković (PhD from University of Notre Dame), is a Professor of Theology at Benedictine University in metro Chicago, where she specializes in medieval Christian-Muslim relations and contemporary interreligious dialogue. Her books include A Christian Pilgrim in Medieval Iraq: Riccoldo da Montecroce’s Encounter with Islam; Nicholas of Cusa and Islam: Polemic and Dialogue in the Late Middle Ages (co-edited); and Christians, Muslims, and Mary: A History. She was appointed by Pope Francis to be a Consultor for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Chair: Dr Zeyneb Sayilgan is a Muslim Scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian and Jewish Studies in Baltimore (ICJS) where her research centers around Islamic theology and spirituality, Christian-Muslim relations, and the intersection of religion and migration.
Date: 28 April, 2025
Time: 18:00-19:00 BST | 19:00-20:00 CET | 10:00-11:00 PST | 13:00-14:00 EST
Venue: Online
Professor Rita George-Tvrtković’s Publications
Related Sessions
- Bridge or Barrier? Mary and Christian-Muslim Relations
- Maryam – The Muslim Mary: A Symbol of Devotion, Virtue and Hope
- Who was Mary, the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God? A Byzantine hagiographical narrative by the ninth-century Monk Epiphanios
- Jacob of Sarug on the Canaanite Woman (Mt 15:21-28, Mk 7:24-30): Biblical Storytelling and Models of Faith
- Narsai on the Virgin Mary
