Inside the Core, the Scholars' Forum Hosts Professor Ines Murzaku, Ph.D.

Inside the Core we are excited to host our final Scholars’ Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition with a presentation by Ines Murzaku, Ph.D., chair of the Catholic Studies Department and professor in the Department of Religion, who will be discussing her book, The History of the Jesuits in Albania (1841-1946), originally published by Orientalia Christiana Analecta, Pontifical Oriental Institute in 2006. Recently, it was translated and published in Albanian, Historia e Jezuiteve ne Shqiperi (1841-1946) published by Shoqatae Jezuiteve (2023). This edition is very special because the forward was written by Pope Francis, who met Murzaku in an audience in Rome last summer. See this article about this important event in the National Catholic Register, reprinted on Seton Hall’s website. As quoted in the article, Murzaku notes: "The attention of the Holy Father to the value of immigrants, refugees and women, all of whom are peripherals and vulnerable in modern societies, is well known. He mentioned during our conversation that a talented 'Albanian woman-surgeon followed him when he was in the hospital,' adding, 'Albanians are doing good all over the world.'"

Murzaku, who is from Albania, is deeply committed to her ethnic roots, as well as the spiritual legacy of her country. An expert on Mother Teresa, who is also an Albanian, Murzaku is passionate about the thriving of faith, even in difficult circumstances (as it was in Albania for many years when religion was forbidden under communism). She earned a doctorate of research from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, part of the Pontifical Gregorian University Consortium, and has held visiting positions at the Universities of Bologna and Calabria in Italy and University of Münster in Germany. She has won prestigious government grants including Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers (Germany); Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Grant (Canada); and four Fulbright Senior Research Scholar (USA).

Murzaku’s other publications include: Mother Teresa: The Saint of the Peripheries (Paulist Press, 2021); Life of St. Neilos of Rossano (1004) (Dumbarton Oaks, Harvard University Press 2018); Italo-Greek Monasticism from St. Neilos to Bessarion (Ashagte-Routledge 2018); Monasticism in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Republics (Routledge 2016); Monastic Tradition in Eastern Christianity and the Outside World a Call for Dialogue (Peeters University of Leuven 2013); Returning Home to Rome? The Monks of Grottaferrata in Albania (Analekta Kryptopherres 2009); Quo Vadis Eastern Europe? Religion, State and Society after Communism (Longo, University of Bologna 2009); and Catholicism, Culture and Conversion: The History of the Jesuits in Albania (1841-1946) (Orientalia Christiana Analecta, Pontifical Oriental Institute 2006) which was recently translated and published in Albanian, Historia e Jezuiteve ne Shqiperi (1841-1946) published by Shoqata e Jezuiteve with a foreword by Pope Francis (2023). Murzaku was the guest co-editor of the special issue of the scholarly journal Religions focusing on "Religions and Human Rights in Post-communism" (summer 2023). She is currently working on two book projects, both under contract: The Revolutions of Mother Teresa (Routledge 2024) and Best Practices in Catholic Studies: Rooted in Vatican II, Growing Through the 21st Century (Springer 2024).

Murzaku is the president of the Society for Albanian Studies. She was the vice-president of the Association for the Study of Nationalities (ASN) and a United Nations accredited representative for the organization Christians Associated for Relationships with Eastern Europe. She is a regular commentator to media outlets on religious matters. She has worked for or collaborated with the Associated Press, CNN, Voice of America, Relevant Radio, The Catholic Thing, Crux – Taking the Catholic Pulse, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation (Canada), Catholic World Report, National Catholic Register, The Record, The Stream, Radio Tirana (Albania), Vatican Radio (Vatican City), and The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN-Rome).

Nancy Kajo of the Albanian Student Organization expressed her excitement about the book and this presentation:

I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Ines Murzaku earlier this year as I was looking for an advisor for the newest organization on campus, the Albanian Student Organization. Professor Ines Murzaku is an extremely inspirational and influential figure in the Albanian-American community, and it is an honor to have her contribute her time and consideration towards this organization. Murzaku's scholarly contributions have sincerely shed a great light on various aspects of Albanian history, culture, and identity. Her dedication and enrichment of such knowledge to preserving and promoting Albanian heritage is truly amazing. All in all, as a fellow Albanian who is patriotic and proud of her roots, I am thankful to come across such works.

Please join us for this exciting finale to this year’s Scholars’ Forum in the CIT, which is sponsored by the University Core, the Catholic Studies Program, the Catholic Studies Center, and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.

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Categories: Arts and Culture, Faith and Service