Philip A. Cunningham of West Chester Re-Elected to International Interfaith Board

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Cunningham

PHILADELPHIA, PA (08/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Philip A. Cunningham, Ph.D., of West Chester, Pa., professor of theology and director of Saint Joseph's University's Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations (IJCR) has been re-elected to a second term as second vice president of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ), an umbrella organization of 38 Jewish-Christian dialogue organizations worldwide. Located in Heppenheim, Germany, with member organizations in more than 30 countries on five continents, the ICCJ is the oldest and most influential multinational organization devoted to Christian-Jewish relations.

"For over six decades, the ICCJ has been at the forefront of encouraging interreligious understanding in many countries around the world," Cunningham said. "It has also been an important contributor to emerging theologies of the Christian relationship to Judaism and the Jewish relationship to Christianity. It is an honor for me to be re-elected as an officer in this pioneering organization and to represent Saint Joseph's University in this international forum."

Cunningham assumed the directorship of SJU's IJCR in the summer of 2008. Since that time, he has enlarged the scope of the Institute by engaging its mission as a resource to the University and the community at-large. Prior to his tenure at SJU, Cunningham founded the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College, in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

An internationally recognized expert in Jewish-Christian relations and interreligious dialogue, Cunningham is the author or editor of numerous books and articles on the topic. His most recent publication is a book he co-edited, Christ Jesus and the Jewish People Today: New Explorations of Theological Interrelationships.

"Philip Cunningham is a renowned scholar in the theologies surrounding the relationship of Judaism and Christianity," said William Madges, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "His re-election is a well-deserved testament to his stature and leadership in the international community that is devoted to promoting understanding and good relations between Christians and Jews."

In addition to his position with the ICCJ, Cunningham is the secretary-treasurer of the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations. He has also served on the Advisory Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and has been a delegate for the Vatican at international conferences on relations between Christians and Jews.

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