Distinguished Alumni > 2005 > William F. Vendley

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William F. Vendley

• Ph.D Systematic Theology, 1984, Fordham University
• M.A. Religious Studies, 1976, Maryknoll School of Theology
• B.S. Biological Sciences, 1971, Purdue University

William F. Vendley has served as Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace/International (Religions for Peace) since 1994. Built on respect for religious differences, Religions for Peace is the world’s largest multireligious organization solely dedicated to promoting collaboration among the world’s religious communities around their deeply held and widely shared concerns. In Religious for Peace, he is a member of the Governing Board, which is composed of outstanding international religious leaders. He also serves as the organization’s chief executive officer, overseeing the international secretariat in North America, Europe, the Balkans, West and East Africa, and Asia. He coordinates the international activities and projects of Religions for Peace’s Interreligious Councils in 50 states around the world. Under Dr. Vendley’s leadership, Religions for Peace and its local affiliates have helped to mediate violent conflicts in the Balkans, West Africa, and the Horn of Africa, supported and further engaged religious communities in collaborative work to assist the more than 12 million orphans of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Notable among the Religions for Peace developments during Dr. Vendley’s leadership tenure is the first ever Global Network of Religious Women’s organizations. The Network facilitates multireligious collaboration among religious women’s organizations and mainstreams their leadership into Religions for Peace action programs.

Dr. Vendley is a theologian and has served as a professor and dean in graduate schools of theology. He lectures frequently in academic, United Nations and NGO. He has been awarded several prizes for religion and human rights, and serves on the boards of a number of organizations ranging from the fine arts to those committed to peacebuilding.