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Xavier Gravend-Tirole

 

  • 2008 Trudeau Scholar

    xavier.gravend-tirole@trudeaufoundation.net

    Current Research

    Ph.D. Theology and Science of Religion, Université de Montréal and Université de Lausanne

    Creolization as a possible theological category in the anthropology of believing: study inspired by Hindu-Christians cases

    Profile

    After completing his undergraduate degree, Xavier Gravend-Tirole decided to take the scenic route from Montreal to Montreal. His world tour to a series of sacred sites was one of the most memorable experiences of his life. Witnessing the many ways that people express their spirituality, Xavier was deeply astonished by the types of spiritual creolization he encountered.

    His dissertation explores how creolization can become fertile theological grounds for examining identity, relationships with the other and religious pluralism. Managing pluralism may be one of the greatest challenges for religions today - both within religions themselves and in their relations with other religions - but the many types of creolized religions that arise from pluralism face even greater problems being recognized at their true worth. The sullied, the contaminated, the syncretic and the impure are still widely vilified by religious institutions. And yet while the logic of purity may provide dangerous fodder for different types of fundamentalism, other novel, alternative or liberal ways of being religious are coming to light that merit recognition, whether or not they are emerging from within traditional institutional frameworks.

    Inspired by figures such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Desmond Tutu and Dom Elder Camara, Xavier is beginning to see himself as a public intellectual - striving to think like a man of action and act like a man of thought - and remains convinced that religion can create brotherhood, humanity, generosity and esteem for the other.  For unlike the appalling noise of war, peace is above all quiet and discreet…

    Xavier is also regularly asked to voice his opinion in the print media, on the radio and on television, about major religious events in the news, and to speak at conferences on religious, cultural and societal relations.

    Trudeau Foundation Themes

    Human Rights and Social Justice » 

  • Current Residence

    Lausanne, Switzerland and Montreal, Quebec

    Languages

    French, English, Spanish, Written Ancient Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew

    Degrees

    • Joint Honours in Philosophy and Religious Studies, McGill University
    • Canonical Bachelor of Theology, Catholic University of Paris
    • Master in Theological Studies, Harvard Divinity School

    Current Research

    Creolization as a possible theological category in the anthropology of believing: study inspired by Hindu-Christian cases

    This study examines a few Hindu-Christian communities that have developed Indian spirituality within a Christian religious context to document a phenomenon that has been generally neglected (if not outright condemned) by a number of religious authorities. The study's hypothesis is that 'creolization' goes beyond interreligious (intellectual) dialogue and inculturation (which relates to culture and works in only one direction) and legitimizes the idea of being nourished by two or more religious traditions. The goal is to reflect on contemporary religious recomposition in a way that will be constructive and beneficial for the future.

    Past Research

    • Belief and spirituality in the ultramodern or post-modern mindset
    • AIDS, the Catholic Church and condoms: theoretical and field research (in Columbia)
    • Relevance of Christian communities in contemporary societies
    • The religious component in Quebec nationalism
    • Spiritual development and secular education
    • Communication, media and religions

    Awards

    • Canadian Graduate Scholarship Program, Doctorate (SSHRC)
    • Merit scholarship and scholarship from the Chair in religion, culture and society (University of Montreal)
    • Doctoral and master's scholarship (FQRSC)
    • Tuition scholarship and research grant from the Council of Alumni for Social Enterprise (Harvard University)

    Social Engagement

    • Organization of a "Daisy Day" for the fifth anniversary of 9-11, to give people an opportunity to make a symbolic gesture of peace between religions
    • Chaplain at the Brigham and Women Hospital in Boston
    • Co-founder and first "little president" of the Relais Mont-Royal, quasi-parish and Christian cultural and spiritual centre in Montreal
    • Actor in several amateur plays

    Work Experience

    • Television, print media and radio reporter (Parole & Vie, Présence Magazine, Guide Ressources, Nouveau Dialogue and more)
    • General coordinator for the University of Montreal religious study centre (CÉRUM)
    • Guest analyst on Réseau d'information RDI (Radio-Canada television) for the Toronto World Youth Days (2002) and other religious and societal events
    • Designer, co-writer and assistant director of the documentary film Iéschoua dit Jésus

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