Notre Dame University
Zouk Mikael

Part of a worldwide network of discussion groups that meet monthly to discuss articles from the International Catholic Review, the Communio Study Circle at NDU, Lebanon has been meeting for seven years. The group’s emerging interest in the importance of religion/science dialogue resulted in a proposal to the Local Societies Initiative. This study circle brings together Christian, Muslim, Maronite, and Melikite scholars in a diversity of academic disciplines including physics, behavioral science, philosophy, theology, political science and computer science. First on the agenda was to teach one another the basics of the particular disciplines and belief systems represented. Once this basic foundation was laid, armed with their newly acquired understanding, the group began to explore, through monthly seminars, presentations and book studies specific topics in contemporary science-faith dialogue. Topics explored by the group include historical and contemporary perspectives in physics and cosmology; philosophical and theological views on scientific discovery; and broad overviews of the contemporary engagement of science and faith. The findings and discussions of these proceedings are to be published by the group in the annual summary of worldwide Communio activities. In addition, the group has launched an engagement with national radio and television stations, bringing considerations of science and faith to an audience in the millions. A translation project, bringing ancient Arabic works related to science/faith interface into the contemporary milieu and modern English, French and German into Arabic translation.