Walter & Mary Tuohy Chair in Interreligious Studies

The Walter and Mary Tuohy Chair of Interreligious Studies was founded by Mr. Walter Tuohy, former vice chairman and chief executive of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. He was a dedicated Catholic layman, and active member of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and a zealous promoter of religious understanding.

Under the auspices of the Tuohy Chair, the University offers a series of courses and free public lectures on interreligious topics. This program is designed to bring scholars of major religious traditions to campus for dialogue with students, faculty, religious leaders, and the general public.

The Walter and Mary Tuohy Chair of Interreligious Studies sponsors academic research, seminars, and free public lectures on interreligious topics of contemporary interest. Scholars of major religious traditions are hosted on campus for presentations and dialogue with students, faculty, religious leaders, and the wider public. This page provides a sampling of past Tuohy lectures and events.

2017–2018 Tuohy Lecture Series: “Religion, Nationalism, and Political Repression”

Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, M.Afr., SThD, The Situation of Christians in the Arab World: How Interreligious Dialogue Can Help (October 18, 2018; 7:30 p.m.)
Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Jewish Thought and Ethics, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Women of the Wall: Freedom to Worship at the Kotel (September 13, 2018; 7:30 p.m.)
Sonya Rhie Mace, Ph.D., George P. Bickford Curator of Indian and Southeast Asian Art and Interim Curator of Islamic Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, Art and Stories of Mughal Women (April 19, 2018; 7:30 p.m.)

Timothy A, Grose, PhD, Assistant Professor of China Studies, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Ürümqi Unraveled: "Desettlement," Development, Islamophobia, and Uyghur Responses

(March 15, 2018; 7:30 p.m.)

Panel discussion with Sevgi Akarçeşme, M.A., Turkish journalist & political analyst, and Scott Alexander, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Catholic Theological Union, moderated by Sheila McGinn, Ph.D., John Carroll University,

Turkey: What Went Wrong & What's Next?

(February 15, 2018; 7:30 p.m.)

Nelson H. Minnich, PhD, Professor of History, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.,

Luther and the German Princes (November 1, 2017; 7:30 p.m.)

2016 Tuohy Lectures & Special Events

Fall 2016
- David R. Mason, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, John Carroll University, "Christian Fundamentalists and the New Atheists: Enemies? Frenemies? (September 22, 2016; 7:30 p.m.)
- John R. Spencer, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, John Carroll University, "Violence and the Sacred Scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: How Do We Handle That Legacy? (October 18, 2016; 7:30 p.m.)
Spring 2016
- Anthony Ahrens, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, American University, Washington, DC, "Contemplating Contemplation: A Psychological Perspective on Mindfulness, Gratitude, and Ignatian Spiritual Practices" (April 6, 2016; 7:30 p.m.)
- Qiang Ning, Ph.D., Chu-Niblack Associate Professor in Asian Art at Connecticut College in New London, CT, "Art, Ritual, and Sacred Space on the Silk Road" (April 13, 2016; 7:30 p.m.)
- Utpola Borah, Ph.D., Hans Utter, Ph.D., Shibi Likhite, Ph.D., and “Billa” Jagjit Singh-Ji, "Remembering the Divine: Devotional Music of South Asia (April 20, 2016; 7:30 p.m.)

2011–2015 Tuohy Lectures & Special Events

Fall 2015
- Messiaen's Quartet For The End of Time
  The Carroll Trio “plus one” (November 11, 2015)
- Pope Francis' Plea for the Earth (November 4, 2015), An interreligious Discussion between Rabbi Roger C. Klein & Father George M. Smiga, STD
- What The Hut!? Celebrating the Festival of Sukkot (September 30-October 2, 2015)
Spring 2015
- Tuohy Lecture Series: Praise the Name of the Lord
  Tuohy Fellow, Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, M.Afr.
  1. "Religious Cross-Fertilization" (March 9, 2015; 7:30 p.m.)
  2. "Praise Belongs to God, Lord of the Universe" (March 16, 2015; 7:30 p.m.)
  3. "In the Name of the Merciful God of Mercy" (March 23, 2015; 7:30 p.m.)
  4. "Praise Belongs to God, Lord of the Universe" (March 30, 2015; 7:30 p.m.)
Spring 2014

Maria R. Heim, Ph.D., Professor of Religion and Elizabeth W. Bruss Reader at Amherst College, Amherst, MA, Buddhist Ideals of Human Flourishing: Beauty, Love, and Happiness in Ancient Theravada Buddhism

"" (March 16, 2014)
"Varieties of Love in Early Buddhist Texts" (March 17, 2014)
"" (March 18, 2014)

Fall 2013
- Scott C. Alexander, Ph.D., "Exploring Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations"
  1. "Islam 2.0: The Messengers of God and the Muslim in Us All" (October 13, 2013)
  2. "Islam and Muslims in the Domestic and International Context: Moving Beyond Media Sound Bites" (October 14, 2013)
  3. "Which Religion Will Win? The Problem of Triumphalism in Christian-Muslim Relations" (October 15, 2013)
Spring 2013

David L. Barr, Ph.D., Jerusalem, Jesus, and Jihad: End-Times Scenarios in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

"Who Says It's the End-Times?" (March 19.2013; 7:30pm)
"The Original End-Times: Enoch, Daniel, Ezra. John" (March 26.2013; 7:30pm)
"Did God Fail? A Role for Satan" (April 2, 2013; 7:30pm)
"Jihad for All: Holy War and Righteous Violence" (April 9.2013; 7:30pm)
"The (Second) Coming: Messiahs, Jesus, and the Madhi" (April 16.2013; 7:30pm)
"The Politics of the End Time Today" (April 23.2013; 7:30pm)

Fall 2011
- Rev. Thomas Michel, S.J., "Muslims Meeting Christians: Aspects of the Encounter"
Spring 2011

Dr. William Campbell, The Challenge of Peace and Reconciliation for Christian Self-Understanding and Contemporary Interreligious Relations

"Christian Triumphalism and the Creator God of the Bible" (February 8, 2011; 7:30pm)
"The Significance of Paul and Judaism as a Paradigm for Contemporary Interreligious Relations in Society" (February 15, 2011; 7:30pm)
"There Can Be Neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal. 3.28) Are Christians a New Race?" (February 22, 2011; 7:30pm)
"Christian Self-Understanding in the Face of the Other and its Relevance for Social Harmony" (March 1, 2011; 7:30pm)
"" (March 15, 2011; 7:30pm)
"Building the Future: The Correlation of Commonality and Diversity" (March 15, 2011; 7:30pm)

2006–2010 Tuohy Lectures

Fall 2009:
- Rev. George M. Smiga, STD, Tracing the Invisible God: A Shared Faith for Jews and Christians"
Spring 2009:
- Kelley E. Spoerl, Ph.D., Catholic Women Encountering Religious Pluralism
Fall 2008:
- John Dominic Crossan, "God and Empire"
Spring 2008:
- Anne Clifford, "Made in God's Image: A Theology of Creatureliness for our Time"
Fall 2007:
- Robert Jewett, Ph.D., "Captain America and the Crusade Against Evil"
Spring 2007:
- Paul L. Heck, Ph.D., "Religious Pluralism Today: Being Christian with Islam"
Fall 2006:
- Rev. Valentino Lassiter, DMin, "The Mega-Church Syndrome: A Theological Examination"
Spring 2006:
- Rev. Joseph A. Bracken, "Sharing the Riches: Spirituality in an Age of Science"

2000-2005 Tuohy Lectures

Fall 2005:
- Rev. Sidney H. Griffith, Ph.D., "The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque: Christians and Muslims in the World of Islam"
Summer 2004:
- Deepak Sarma, "What is a Hindu?"
- Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer, MHL, "What is a Jew?"
Fall 2003:
- Rev. William Harmless, S.J., "Mystics: What They Can Teach Us about God, Prayer & Our Hard-to-Read Hearts"
Summer 2003:
- Scott Taylor
- Venerable Shih Ying-Fa
2002–2003:
- John Brook
- Rev. George Coyne, S.J.
- Madeline Drexler
- John Haught
- Dr. Harold Koenig
- Lawrence Krauss
- Kenneth Miller
- Andrew Trew
Summer 2003:
- Dr. Scott Alexander
Fall 2001:
- Dr. John Kelsay, "Islam and the Political Future"
Summer 2001:
- Rabbi Michael Oppenheimer
- Venerable Shih Ying-Fa

1996-2000 Tuohy Lectures

Fall 2000:
- Robin Jensen, Ph.D., "The Substance of Things Seen: Art, Faith, and the Christian Community"
Summer 2000:
- Rev. Marvin McMickle, "Four Models for Modern Ministry: A Look at the Black Preacher"
- Dr. Jane Smith, "Islam in America: Who are Our Muslim Neighbors"
Fall 1999:
- Diana L. Hayes, Ph.D., "Will the Circle be Unbroken? The Need for Religious Dialogue Within the Black Community"
Summer 1999:
- Dr. William E. Deal, "Buddhism: The Religion of the Middle Way"
- Gary P. Zola, "Jews and Civil Rights"
Spring 1999:
- Rev. James F. Keenan, S.J., "Teaching Morality and Devotion: The British Puritans and the Jesuits, 1580–1630"
Spring 1998:
- Rev. John C. Haughey, S.J., "Re-enchanting Holiness"
- Rev. Francis X. Clooney, S.J., "God Pleasing Us: A Hindu Insight into Religious Pluralism"
Spring 1996:
- Rev. Nelson Callahan
- James Cone, Ph.D.
- Rev. Valentino Lassiter, DMin
- Marian Morton, Ph.D.
- Roger Welchans, Ph.D.

1965-1995 Tuohy Fellows

1994-1995 — Maria Harris, Ph.D.
199x-199x — Jaroslav Pelikan
— John L. McKenzie, S.J.
— Samuel Sandmel
— Carl E. Braaten
— Avery Dulles, S.J.
1990? — Wolfhart Pannenberg
George W. Webber
Dr. Nathan A. Scott
Joachim Jeremias
Charles E. Curran
James M. Gustafson
Lou H. Silberman
Frank Reynolds
William Johnston, S.J.
Joseph Kitagawa
1980? — Robert M. Grant
Robert E. McNally, S.J.
Rev. George Tavard
James H. Cone
Preston N. Williams
Moses B. Anderson. S.S.E.
John B. Cobb, Jr.
Rev. David Tracy
Anglican Bishop R. C. P. Hanson
Michael A. Gahey, S.J.
1980? — Martin McNamara, M.S.C.
William H. C. Frend
Roderick A. F. MacKenzie, S.J.
Norman Pittenger
Sophie Laws
Robert Eno, S.S.
Frederick W. Norris
Rabbi Arthur J. Lelyveld
Brian Daley, S.J.

For More Information

To put your name on the Tuohy mailing list or to find out more about the Tuohy Endowment for Interreligious Studies, contact trs@jcu.edu