Bridge or Barrier? Mary and Christian-Muslim Relations

28 April, 2025

We are deeply honoured to welcome Professor Rita George-Tvrtkoviฤ‡, 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 Maryโ€™s role as both bridge and barrier in Christian-Muslim relations.

Speaker’s Biography: Professor Rita George-Tvrtkoviฤ‡ (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 Montecroceโ€™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.

Moderator: Dr Elizabeth Mackintosh, Fellow of the Oxford Interfaith Forum.

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-Tvrtkoviฤ‡’s Publications

Related Sessions