Georgetown University: Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs: Women in Interreligious Dialogue

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Berkley Center Conference Room
3307 M Street NW

Why have women not contributed as much as men to the literature discussing the theories and practice of interreligious dialogue?

Theologian Maura O'Neill and Yale Chaplain Sharon Kugler examines the role of women in dialogue. In an environment long dominated by patriarchy, they will speak about the challenges for women in dialogue and about the special talents and viewpoints that women bring to interreligious dialogue.

Maura O'Neill
Maura O'Neill is professor emerita of philosophy at Chaffey College in California and author of Mending a Torn World: Women in Interreligious Dialogue, a detailed description and analysis of women's contributions across religions. She addresses the issues, problems, and possibilities when women dialogue with one another and contribute to the academy and their respective communities.

Sharon M.K. Kugler
Sharon Kugler became the seventh University Chaplain to Yale in July of 2007. Her work among students from many faith traditions serves as a model of ministry for other universities and communities. She explores the dynamics of a university steeped in Protestant history and tradition now served by its first Catholic and first woman chaplain who ministers to an increasingly multi-faith university community. She came to New Haven from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore where she had served as the University Chaplain since 1993. Sharon has over two decades of experience in ministry in higher education, interfaith collaboration, pastoral and social ministry.  Sharon is the past president of both the National Association of College and University Chaplains (NACUC) and the Association of College and University Religious Affairs (ACURA). Sharon received her Masters degree from Georgetown University and is a member of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology.