Marianne Farina

Marianne Farina is the CSC Professor of Philosophy & Theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology (DSPT), part of the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA. She holds a PhD in Theological Ethics from Boston College, an MA in Pastoral Theology from Santa Clara University, a BFA in Graphic Arts & Communication from Parsons School of Design (New School for Social Research), and an AAS in Art History from Rockland County Community College.

Her research focuses on the Church’s social justice teaching, comparative theology with Islamic traditions, interfaith dialogue methodologies, philosophical studies in Islam, and the application of Aquinas’ virtue theory across religious frameworks. She emphasizes cross-cultural communication and holistic engagement with global issues like migration, peacebuilding, and family ethics.

Farina teaches courses such as Christian-Muslim Dialogue, Virtue Theory: Islam and Christianity, and Indonesia Theological Immersion. She is a Core Doctoral Faculty member at the GTU, affiliated with the Center for Islamic Studies, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal for Interreligious Dialogue. Her work aligns with Pope Paul VI’s vision of dialogue across four circles: intra-Catholic, inter-Christian, interreligious, and societal engagement. She actively participates in the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC).

Her publications explore themes of dialogue transformation and contextual theology, including Sacred Conversations and the Evolution of Dialogue (2017) and contributions to Cambridge University Press and the Berkeley Journal of Religion and Theology. Farina’s teaching philosophy integrates deep reflection, critical discourse, and Basil Moreau’s pedagogical emphasis on formation through education.