A Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim walk onto a stage …

It sounds like a well-worn joke.

But it’s not.

It’s one of the blessings of being Benedictine!

And it’s a perfect overture to the upcoming Interreligious Dialogue Lecture at Benedictine University.

In fact, our first-ever Interreligious Dialogue Lecture.

The Center for Benedictine Values is thrilled to present Benedictine’s inaugural Interreligious Dialogue Lecture: Wednesday, February 8, 12:30-1:30 pm CT, in Goodwin Hall 411 on the Lisle campus.

All members of the University community are invited to attend—as well as all friends of Benedictine.

The title of the program is “Three Religions, One God, and an Epidemic of Hate: A Trialogue on Antisemitism and Islamophobia.”

The trialogue—honoring Jewish, Christian, and Muslim voices and experiences—frankly addresses the disturbing rise in anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim bigotry in the United States and around the world. It also takes an honest look at the roots of interreligious conflict and misunderstanding.

The speakers contributing to this historic trialogue are three outstanding scholars—all women—who are leading figures in the global quest for interfaith cooperation and friendship:

Dr. Mehnaz Afridi (pictured), Professor of Religious Studies and Director of The Holocaust, Genocide and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College and author of Shoah through Muslim Eyes,

Dr. Malka Simkovich, Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies at Catholic Theological Union and author of The Making of Jewish Universalism,

And our own Dr. Rita George-Tvrtković, Professor of Theology at Benedictine and author of Christians, Muslims, and Mary.

Last year Pope Francis appointed Professor George-Tvrtković Consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue—another first for Benedictine University.

Serving as moderator for the trialogue will be Dr. Mary Kate Holman, Assistant Professor of Theology at Benedictine.

In one hour on a winter Wednesday, this soon-to-be unforgettable program, featuring top scholars dedicated to the common good, will advance our appreciation for the values that make Benedictine so special.

More importantly, it will inspire us to pray and work for a world without hate.

Pope John Paul II called interfaith dialogue “a path toward the kingdom of God.”

A Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim walk onto a stage at Benedictine … and we get a glimpse of that beckoning kingdom.

Dr. Peter A. Huff
Chief Mission Officer and Director, Center for Benedictine Values