Books

Courses Taught

Post-Graduate Courses, University of Bologna

• Religion in Post-Communist Europe – Medieval and Modern
• Ecumenical, Inter-religious, and Inter-faith Dialogue and Stability in Central East Europe

Graduate Courses, Immaculate Conception Graduate School of Theology, Seton Hall University

• History of Eastern Christianity
• Mediterranean Christianity

Undergraduate Courses, Seton Hall University

• Honor's Program Courses, Seton Hall University
• Medieval World Civilizations
• Contemporary World Civilizations
• Medieval Christian Thought
• Monasticism: East and West
• Catholic and Ecumenical (online and traditional)
• Introduction to Ecumenism
• Eastern Christianity (online and traditional)
• Introduction to Catholic Theology/Vision (online and traditional)
• Christian Belief and Thought (online and traditional)
• Great Women in Christianity, East and West (online and traditional)

Peer Reviewed Articles

• "The Albanian Eastern Catholic Church," in The Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, Volume 67, 3-4, 2015
• "The Role of Religion in Peace Building," in Dialogue and Alliance, A Journal of the Universal Peace Federation, Vol. 27, No. 2, Autumn 2013.
• "Religious Discord among Post Communist Albanians. The Invented Tradition of Religious Tolerance versus Historical Reality," Religioni e Società, XXVI/ 69, (Gennaio - Aprile 2011).
• "The Church's Renewed Evangelizing Mission," PECOB's Papers Series University of Bologna, 2/28, August 2010, on-line at: http://www.iecob.net/main/pecobs-papers-series/164-the-churchs-renewed-evangelizing-mission
• "Antiseptic Truth Hurts but Cures: Facing the Reality of Albania's Religious Tolerance," Balkanistica 22, 2009.
• "Interne religiöse Spannungen," in G2W Ökumenisches Forum für Glaube, Religion und Gessellschaft in Ost und West, 10/2008.
• "Openness and Candor Promote Peace and Amity," in Milevska-Kanchesca, Elizabeta, Ohrid Messages For Peace and Mutual Life, (Macedonia: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia, 2008). (the article has been translated in five languages including French, German, Macedonian, Italian, and Albanian).
• "Inter-Church and Inter-Religious Tensions in Post Communist Eastern Europe: The Case of Albania," in Religion in Eastern Europe, XXVIII/1, February 2008.
• "Monsignor Scarpelli, Missionario Arberesh," in Besa-Fede, Luglio, 2007.
• "Rome's Last Efforts towards the Union of Orthodox Albanians," The Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, 58/1-2, 2006.
• "The Road to Church Union for Orthodox Albanians," The Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, 55/3-4, 2003.
• "The Religious Policies of King Zog I," in Orientalia Christiana Periodica, 69, 2003.
• Co-authored with Dervishi, Zyhdi, "Albanian’s First Post Communist Decade. Values in Transition: Traditional or Liberal?" in East European Quarterly, XXXVII/2, June 2003.
• "King Zog I and the Suppression of Private Education" in Studi sull' Oriente Cristiano, 7, 2003.
• "The Jesuit Mission in Albania," in Diakonia, XXXV/2, 2002.
• Co-authored with Dervishi, Zyhdi, "Values in Transition: The Divorce Dilemma among Albanian Women," in Analysis of Current Events, 14/2, May 2002.
• Co-authored with Murzaku, Thoma, "Toleranca dhe Mirëkuptimi Ndërfetar në Shqipëri," in Pajtimi, 4, 2000.
• Co-authored with Murzaku, Thoma, "The Treaty of San Stefano and its Impact on the Balkans," in Wiener Blätter zur Friedensforschung, 103, Juni, 2, 2000.
• "The Beginning of the Jesuit Albanian Mission," in Diakonia, 30/2-3, 1997.

Chapters in Books

• "Josif Papamihali," in Bremer, Thomas and Haneke, Burkhard, Zeugen Fur Gott. Glauben in kommunistischer Zeit. Band II, Aschendorff Verlag, Munster 2015.
• "Heu Quid Agant in Albania?: Travelers’, SOE Agents’ and Catholic Missionaries’ Bitter and Meager Victories," in Pettifer, James, Essays in Honour of Sir Reginald Hibbert, (Cornwall: Elbow Publishing, 2013).
• "Mussolini’s Albania. The Failed Experiment to Equipoise Albania’s Religions," in Foschungsstand und Zukunfts perspektiven der Albanologie, Albanische Forschungen, (Wiesbaden: Verlag Harrassowitz, 2012).
• "Albanian Eastern Catholic Church," in Leustean, Lucian N., and O'Mahony, Anthony (co-ed), Eastern Catholic Christianity in Contemporary Europe, Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe Series (New York and Oxford: Routledge c/o Taylor & Francis, Inc, December 2012).
• "Introduction: Ἐμοὶ γὰρ τὸ ζῆν Χριστὸς. Eastern Monasticism’s Quest for Holiness" in Murzaku, Ines A., Monastic Tradition in Eastern Christianity and the Outside World: A Call to Dialogue, Eastern Christian Studies Series, (Leuven: Peeters’ Press, University of Leuven, 2013).
• "Orientalis Fulgidissima Gemma in Romani Pontificis Tiara Inserta – The Monastery of the Mother of God of Grottaferrata’s Invitation to East-West Unity" in Murzaku, Ines A., Monastic Tradition in Eastern Christianity and the Outside World: A Call to Dialogue, Eastern Christian Studies Series, (Leuven: Peeters’ Press, University of Leuven, 2013).
• "The Byzantine Catholic Church of Albania," Oriente Cattolico, Quinta Edizione, (Citta del Vaticano: Edizione, Sacra Congregazione per le Chiese Orientali, 2013).
• "The Vocation I Choose to Follow," Vocations, Vol. 1, No. 1, Summer 2010, pp. 61-67.
• "Tutto a Tutti. La Nuova Missione di Evangelizzazione della Chiesa," in Bianchini, Stefano, Chiesa Cattolica e Societa Sotterranea ai Tempi del Comunismo. Il Fondo Ricci e le sue Fonti per una Storia delle Religioni in Europa Orientale, University of Bologna Press, 2009.
• "Foreword" in Murzaku, Angeli Ines, Quo Vadis Eastern Europe? Religion and Civil Society after the Fall of Communism, A Series of Balkan and East-European Studies 30, (Ravenna: University of Bologna, Longo Editore, 2009).
• "The Changing Face of Europe. Prospective and Problems on the Path for a United Europe: A New Europa?" in Murzaku, Angeli Ines, Quo Vadis Eastern Europe? Religion and Civil Society after the Fall of Communism, A Series of Balkan and East-European Studies 30, (Ravenna: University of Bologna, Longo Editore, 2009).
• "Between East and West: The Basilian Monks of Grottaferrata in Albania," in Pettifer, James, and Nazarko, Mentor, eds., Strengthening Religious Tolerance for a Secure Civil Society in Albania and the Southern Balkans, NATO Science for Peace and Security Series, Vol. 27, (Amsterdam and Lansdale PA: IOS Press, 2007).

Grants, Fellowships and Awards

• Education Division, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York City (2016)
• New Jersey Chinese Cultural Studies Foundation (2016)
• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, University of Münster, Ökumenisches Institut, Department of Catholic Theology, University of Münster, Germany, (extension 2011-2012)
• Dumbarton Oaks Harvard University Translation grant, 2012.
• Fulbright Senior Specialist Roster (1 February 2012 - 31 January 2013)
• Nominated Fulbright Senior Specialist University of Calabria Italy. (November-December 2012).
• Social Sciences and Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Canadian government collaborative, research grant with Prof. Lavinia Stan (St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia Canada), and Prof. Lucian Turcescu, (Concordia University, Montreal, Canada). Project: “Church-State Relations in the Enlarged European Union,” (2009-2011).
• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers, University of Münster, Ökumenisches Institut, Department of Catholic Theology, University of Münster, Germany (2009-2011).
• College of Arts and Sciences Online Course Development Grant, Seton Hall University, Summer (2010).
• Fulbright Senior Specialist, University of Ljubjana, Slovenia (2009-2010) (declined)
• Provost's Faculty Scholarship Award - Refereed Tier Journal Publication (2009).
• Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Institute Research Associate Travel Grant (2009).
• Signature III - Core Curriculum Course Development Grant (2008-09).
• Arts and Sciences Dean Travel Award (2008).
• Provost's Faculty Scholarship Award – Book Publication Prize (2007).
• Provost's Faculty Scholarship Award – Article Top Tier Journal Publication Prize (2007).
• Fulbright Senior Research Award, Italy (2006-2007).
• University Research Council Award, Seton Hall University, Summer (2006).
• Curricular Development in Service Learning, Seton Hall University, Fall (2006).
• Curricular Development in Oral Communication Infusion, Seton Hall University (2005-2006).
• College of Arts and Sciences Recognition of Accomplishments, presented by the Dean, April 13, 2005.
• Curricular Development in Service Learning, Seton Hall University Fall (2004).
• University Research Council Award, Seton Hall University, Summer (2004).
• Curriculum Development Initiative-5 Mentor, Writing Intensive Courses, an Interdisciplinary Approach, Seton Hall University, (2003-2004).
• Faculty Innovation Grants, Seton Hall University, Summer (2003).
• Curriculum Development Initiative-5 Participant, Writing Intensive Courses, an Interdisciplinary Approach, Seton Hall University, (2002-2003).
• Curriculum Development Initiative-3, Curricular Development in Russian and East European Studies, Seton Hall University, (2002).
• Academician, of Accademia Angelica-Costantiniana di Lettere, Arti e Scienze, for contribution in "the scientific study of Christian Orient and Byzantium," presented by Princess Stefania Angelo-Comneno of Tessaglia, Rome, November 2002.
• Human Relations Citation Award, for "leadership in promoting human relations and making Seton Hall University a better place to study, work and live." (2002)
• Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe, Summer Grants, Thessaloniki, Greece (2001).
• University Teaching Fellows Program Grant, Seton Hall University (2000-2001).
• Centro Studi ed Incontri Interculturali Ezio Aletti – Pontifical Oriental Institute, Pontifical Gregorian University, Full Scholarship for Doctoral Studies, Rome, Italy (1991-1995)
• Kirche in Not, Germany (1992).

Contributions to Public Media

• "Fear of God, Faith, and Encounter." The Catholic Thing. June 24, 2017
• "Unleashing the Feminine Genius: Mother Vincenzina Cusmano." The National Catholic Register. June 16, 2017
• "Of Millennials and Monastic Hospitality." The Catholic Thing. March 26, 2017
• "Why Does Facing Ad Orientem Matter Ecumenically?" New Litrugical Movement. January 26, 2017
• Interviewed for "Anti-Catholic Critics Oppose Orthodox Council on Unity." Crisis Magazine. January 23, 2017
• "Can the Orthodox Way End the Divorce and Remarriage Debate?" Crisis Magazine. January 13, 2017
• "Light from the East for Millennials – and Everyone." The Catholic Thing. January 13, 2017
• "Albania celebrates martyr, pioneer in Christian/Muslim ties." Crux. December 14, 2016
• "Did Pope Benedict Abandon His Post? Last Testament Explains Why He Resigned." The Stream. November 16, 2016
• "The Chieti Agreement Encourages Catholic-Orthodox Unity." Crisis Magazine. October 25, 2016
• "Kardinál, ktorého prenasledoval albánsky komunistický režim." Konzervatívny denník Postoj. October 22, 2016
• "A Cardinal from the Albanian Communist Persecution." The Catholic Thing. October 15, 2016
• "The Pope in the Middle: What Benedict Thinks About John Paul II and Francis." The Stream. October 11, 2016
• "Three Things to Know about Francis’ Visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan." Salt and Light Media. September 28, 2016
• "Padre Pio and Mother Teresa: Jubilee Patrons." The Catholic Thing. September 23, 2016
• "The Spiritual Bond between two Francises: Pope Francis and Padre Pio." Salt and Light Media. September 21, 2016
• "Today, the Catholic Church will celebrate the canonization of Mother Teresa." The Record. September 4, 2016
• "Sur les pas des saints : Mère Teresa et Jean-Paul II." France Catholique. September 4, 2016
• "Mother Teresa - Road to Sainthood." CNN International. September 3 and September 4, 2016
• "Mother Teresa Practiced Forgiveness in Personal Tragedy. Christopher Hitchens Attacked Her for It." The Stream. September 3, 2016
• "The Footsteps of Saints: Mother Teresa and John Paul II." The Catholic Thing. September 3, 2016
• "Mother Teresa: A saint despite spiritual ‘darkness’". Associated Press. August 31, 2016
• "Centered in the Periphery – Pope Francis and Mother Teresa." Salt and Light Media. August 31, 2016
• "Mother Teresa’s Mysticism." Salt and Light Media. August 28, 2016
• "Can Mother Teresa help Clinton embrace adoption over abortion?" Crux. August 19, 2016
• "Albanian martyr a classic example of ‘genius of women’" Crux. July 18, 2016
• "Mother Teresa’s Formative Years in the Periphery." The Catholic Thing. July 13, 2016