Congratulations to our JPII Center Leaders – Dr. Berliana Ali (Cohort VIII, Indonesia) and Dr. Nazar Sloboda (Cohort VII, Ukraine) who graduated with their doctorates!
Berliana successfully defended her doctoral thesis called Testimony of the Works; Implications of the Lexicon of ἔργον (érgon) on the Johannine Theology, Christology & Anthropology on Monday, June 21st at the Angelicum
Nazar’s dissertation is in the field of Jewish-Christian relations, looking at it through the prism of messianism and examining one particular messianic movement of the 18th century which originated among the Jews who resided predominantly on the territories which now are parts of western Ukraine. Rabbi Jack Bemporad, Director Emeritus of the John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue was a great help and provided valuable advice to him in his work as the second reader/censor of his thesis.
Nazar expresses his gratitude in his own words: “In December of 2020, despite all the challenges and difficulties, I defended my doctoral thesis at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Fr. Benjamin Fiore, SJ, who directed my thesis and Rabbi Jack Bemporad who censored/reviewed it. The theme of my dissertation has to do with the history of the messianic movements as well as Jewish-Christian relations. I expect that my acquired expertise would become an instrument of peace and mutual understanding in the realm of ecumenical and interreligious relations, so that my research and expertise would benefit all the people of good will.”
We are very proud of Berliana and Nazar’s dedication and hard work; may God bless their new endeavours!