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Past Fellows

2019-20 Research Fellows

Ruben Mendoza, PhD

Ruben Mendoza (Winter/Spring 2020)
Professor of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University
(Manila, Philippines)

Research project: Titled "Navigating Religious Identity in the Currents of Mission: The Case of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo," this project highlights the southern Filipino town of Jolo, where Christians account for only 5% of the population. It asks the following questions: How does the interplay of Christian and Islamic traditions affect a Christian’s identity? And what strategies does the Church employ to carry out its mission in a region where it is a minority?

Jeane Peracullo, PhD

Jeane Peracullo (Fall 2019)

Chair and Associate Professor of Philosophy, De La Salle University
(Manila, Philippines)

Research project: Titled "The Virgin of the Vulnerable Lake: Religious Engagements with Climate Change in the Philippines," this project explores religious engagements with climate change vis-a-vis the extreme vulnerability of bodies of water in the Philippines' Caysasay region. Peracullo draws connections to the many miraculous healings, mostly involving water, attributed to the image of the Virgen de Caysasay, which was believed to have been fished out of a river in the Caysasay region in 1603.

Junior Research Fellow

Sr. Teresa Kiragu
Sr. Teresa Wacera Kiragu
PhD candidate, Catholic University of Eastern Africa (Nairobi, Kenya)

Dissertation topic: "Promoting Holistic Healthcare and a Culture of Life in the Catholic Hospitals in Africa: A Bioethical Analysis of the Healthcare Ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri, Kenya"

​2018-19 Research Fellows

Emilce Cuda
Emilce Cuda (Winter/Spring 2019)

Research Professor of Theology, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina
Research Professor of Philosophy, University of Buenos Aires
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Research project: Titled "Populism in Today's Theology and Politics," this project examines the link between contemporary theology and politics from the perspective of the new style of democracy known as populism.

Patrick C. Chibuko
Rev. Patrick C. Chibuko (Fall 2018)

Chair and Professor of Sacred Liturgy, Catholic Insititue of West Africa (CIWA)
(Port Harcourt, Nigeria)

Research project: Titled "Liturgy for the Church as a Field Hospital," this project explores the idea of the "wounded healer" as the Church—and ultimately, Jesus Christ—who offers true reconciliation through the liturgy to those on the margins, wounded by socioeconomic and political situations.

​Junior Research Fellows

Daniel Lagat

PhD candidate, Moi University (Eldoret, Kenya)

Dissertation topic: "Faith and Environmental Adaptation in Kenya: The Case of Christian Impact Mission in Yatta Constituency"

Rev. Anthony Atansi

PhD candidate, Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium)

Dissertation topic: "Transforming Christology: Towards a Socially Transformative Christopraxis from the Grassroots Christological (Re)Imagination in the African Context"

​2017-18 Research Fellows

Nathanaël Yaovi Soede (Winter & Spring 2018)

Lecturer and researcher, Institut Catholique Missionnaire d'Abidjan
(Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

Research project: Exploring a theology of wealth and security which we can promote In today's global context of violence and insecurity, in order to guarantee the peaceful coexistence of societies

Paul Kollman, CSC (Fall 2017)

Associate Professor of Theology; Leo & Arlene Hawk Executive Director of the Center for Social Concerns
University of Notre Dame

Research project: Drawing connections between Africa's past role in the early Church and its present and future importance, and exploring what its growing role means for the Church on a global level

2016-17 Research Fellows

Virginia Azcuy (Winter 2017)

Professor of Theology & Chair of Spiritual Theology, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (Buenos Aires)

Research project: Using fieldwork and qualitative research (i.e., personal interviews and real-life conversations) in the study of theology

Emmanuel S. de Guzman (Fall 2016)

Professor of Theology, St. Vincent School of Theology (Manila)
Chair of Board of Trustees, Catholic Theological Society of the Philippines

Research project: Exploring the Church as "one" in Southeast Asia from an intercultural perspective

Rev. Simon C. Kim (Fall 2016)

Assistant Professor in Theology, University of Holy Cross (New Orleans)

Research project: An intercultural theological reflection on racism and the Catholic Church

Rev. Simon C. Kim (Fall 2015)

Thomas E. Chambers Assistant Professor of Theology, University of Holy Cross (New Orleans)

Research project: Tracing the historical developments of Christological images as the source of evangelization of new cultures, with a focus on the global South

Rev. Laurenti Magesa (Spring 2016)

Professor of Moral & African Theology, Hekima Jesuit School of Theology and Tangaza University College (Nairobi)

Research project: Jesus as "healer" for the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa and the embodiment of the African worldview of ongoing healing and life's flourishing

Kristine Meneses

PhD candidate, Theological Ethics
St. Vincent School of Theology, Adamson University (Manila)

Gabriel M. de los Santos

PhD candidate, Systematic Theology
St. Vincent School of Theology, Adamson University (Manila)

Daniel F. Pilario, CM

Dean & Professor, St. Vincent School of Theology, Adamson University (Manila)

Research project: "Doing Theology in a Garbage Dump: The 'Rough Grounds' & Theological Method"

Emmanuel Katongole

Emmanuel Katongole Associate Professor of Theology & Peace Studies, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

Research project: "Born of Lament: The Gift & Discipline of Hope in Africa"

Marcelo Timotheo da Costa

Chair & Professor of History, Universidade Salgado de Oliveira (Niterói, Brazil)

Research project: "Liberation Theology Celebrates St. Francis: The Poverello of Assisi According to Leonardo Boff"


Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, SJ 
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Provincial of Eastern African Province, Society of Jesus 
  • Research project: "Religion, Church & Society in Africa"
Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer 
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

  • Associate Professor of Theology and Vice Dean of Center of Theology & Human Sciences
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Research project: "Mysticism, Witnessing & Community—The Martyr Communities of Tibhirine & San Salvador
Diego Irarrázaval, CSC 
Santiago, Chile
  • Professor of Theology, Universidad Católica Silva Henriquez
  • Research project: "Christianity & Marian Spirituality in South American Peoples"
Pantelis Kalaitzidis ​
Volos, Greece
  • Director, Volos Academy for Theological Studies
  • Professor of Systematic Theology, Hellenic Open University
  • Professor of Religious Studies, University of Thessaly

Agnes M. Brazal
Manila, Philippines
  • Professor of Theology, St. Vincent School of Theology, Adamson University
  • Research project: "Doing Vernacular Theo-ethics in a Postmodern World" (PDF)
Olga Consuelo Vélez Caro 
Bogotá, Colombia
  • Professor of Theology, Pontifical Xaverian University
  • Research project: "Ciudad y mujer: Una apuesta evangelizadora" (PDF, currently available in Spanish only)

Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, SJ
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Provincial of Eastern African Province, Society of Jesus
  • Research project: "A Global Sign of Outward Grace:The Sacramentality of the World Church in the Era of Globalization" (PDF)

Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil​

  • Associate Professor of Theology and Vice Dean of Center of Theology & Human Sciences
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Research project: "The Witness of Dorothy Day & the Future of Liberation Theology" (video)


Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Associate Professor of Theology and Dean of Center of Theology & Human Sciences
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Research project: The Mystery & the World: Passion for God in Times of Disbelief (currently available in Portuguese only)​

Robert L. Wilken
William R. Kenan, Jr., Professor Emeritus of the History of Christianity
University of Virginia
  • Research project:The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity (link)​
Emmanuel Katongole
Associate Professor of Theology & Peace Studies,  Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
University of Notre Dame
  • Research project:The Sacrifice of Africa: A Political Theology for Africa (link)​

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