Joseph J. Foy, Ph.D. President | Benedictine University

Dr. Rita George-Tvrtković, a professor at Benedictine University, has been featured in a video series by the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (DID). The video, titled "Stories of Interreligious Dialogue," showcases impactful interreligious encounters experienced by two students at Benedictine University.

The video, which can be found on the Vatican's website, highlights the importance of diversity and dialogue among people of different faiths and cultures. In the video, Adeena Ahmed, a junior majoring in biology, and Jenna Demas, a junior majoring in sport and exercise science, eloquently share their experiences and the lessons they have learned.

"We hope you will find these stories interesting and inspirational," said Dr. George-Tvrtković, who is among the 19 consultors appointed by Pope Francis to the DID. "Being a part of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue is a tremendous honor, and it is a privilege to represent Benedictine University in this capacity."

The DID, established in 1964 by Pope Paul VI, aims to foster dialogue and understanding among followers of different religions. As one of only six women and two Americans among the 19 consultors, Dr. George-Tvrtković's expertise and contributions are highly valued.

In addition to participating in two in-person meetings in Rome, which included Pope Francis himself, Dr. George-Tvrtković has been actively involved in various activities as a consultor. These include offering feedback on DID document drafts, planning events, writing articles for the Vatican's academic journal on interreligious dialogue, and participating in monthly meetings with women leaders in the global interreligious network.

Furthermore, Dr. George-Tvrtković's work with the global women's network has inspired her to encourage more female student leadership in interreligious dialogue on the Benedictine campus. The events mentioned by Jenna and Adeena in the video are a testament to her dedication to promoting dialogue and understanding among students of different faiths.

The inclusion of the video in the Vatican's "Stories of Interreligious Dialogue" series is a significant recognition of Dr. George-Tvrtković's work and the commitment of Benedictine University to promoting interfaith dialogue. The university takes pride in its mission to welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, fostering an environment where students can discover their purpose and contribute to the common good.

For those interested in watching the video and learning more about the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, it can be found on the Vatican's website. The series serves as a platform to share stories of interreligious dialogue and inspire others to engage in meaningful conversations.

Dr. Rita George-Tvrtković's involvement in the Vatican's video series is a testament to her expertise and dedication to promoting interreligious dialogue. Her work, along with the experiences shared by the students, highlights the importance of fostering understanding and respect among individuals of different faiths and cultures.