Dr. Murzaku's New Book is Presented at the University of Rome  

The University Roma TRE, Italian Association for the East European Studies  and Roman-Slavic Circle sponsored the presentation of a new book by Dr. Ines Angeli Murzaku, Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Catholic Studies entitled: Monasticism in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Republics on March 11, 2016. The book is published by the prestigious Routledge scholarly series: Religion, Society and Government in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet States (2016). Professors Francesco Guida, Krassimir Stanchev and Antonio D’Alessandri from Roma Tre - Rome and Professor Giovanna Brogi from the University of Milan -Milan made presentations on the new book by Dr. Murzaku.

Dr. Murzaku’s new book presents a thorough analyses of Eastern and Western monasticism’s continuous and intensive interactions with society in Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Former Soviet Republics. It discusses the role monastics played in fostering national identities, as well as the potentiality of monasteries and religious orders to be vehicles of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue within and beyond national boundaries. Using a country-specific analysis, the book highlights the monastic tradition and monastic establishments. It addresses gaps in the academic study of religion in Eastern European and Russian historiography and looks at the role of monasticism as a cultural and national identity forming determinant in the region. For more on the book visit Routledge –Taylor and Francis.

About the Department the Catholic Studies
Established in 2012-- the Year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of the opening of Vatican II -- the Department of Catholic Studies at Seton Hall, America's oldest diocesan university, fosters Seton Hall's Catholic identity and mission by exploring the relationship of Catholicism with all areas of culture and learning. Since its focus is the Church's encounter and dialogue with society or the Church in the world, Vatican II designated a special place for Catholic Studies as a discipline in academic life. As a result, Catholic Studies is a dialogue between Catholicism and culture that occurs in a special way at Catholic universities. While respecting other disciplines, Catholic Studies explores theology and philosophy in relation to culture, humankind and the world. This methodological approach opens up a place for all other disciplines; these enrich Catholic Studies and are enriched in return. Catholic Studies builds upon and develops the themes and questions addressed in the University Core Curriculum and is complementary to other disciplines. A bachelor's degree in Catholic Studies is an interdisciplinary, liberal arts degree —a major that enhances every other major.