Adel Theodor Khoury (26 March 1930 – 14 July 2023) was a Lebanese Catholic theologian and historian of Christianity and Islam.
Adel Theodor Khoury was born in Tebnine, Lebanon on 26 March 1930. After theological studies Khoury entered priesthood in 1953. He also pursued philosophy and Oriental studies in Beirut before receiving a doctoral degree in Lyon. From 1970 until his retirement in 1993 Khoury was professor of general religious studies (Allgemeine Religionswissenschaft) in the Catholic-Theological Department of Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany, where he twice served as head of the department.[1]
Khoury is notable for his publications on Islam and his efforts toward interfaith understanding. In 1985 he was named advisor of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.[1] In 1997 he was awarded the Austrian distinction "Grand Decoration of Honour" for his efforts to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue.[1] His 12-volume commentary of the Quran (1990–2001) also won recognition in the Muslim world.[1] His thematic concordance and German translation of the Quran was selected in Iran as "book of the year" in 2009.[1]
Khoury was also known for his comprehensive surveys of Byzantine anti-Islamic polemics.[2] His edition of dialogues of the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Palaiologos with an "educated Persian" gained wider attention when it was cited in a 2006 speech of Pope Benedict XVI which sparked worldwide controversy.[3][4]
A Festschrift in honor of Khoury's 60th birthday was published in 1990.[5]
In 2004, Khoury is said to have witnessed a miracle in Soufanieh, where Myrna Nazzour had stigmata. [1]
Khoury died in Bonn, Germany on 14 July 2023, at the age of 93.[6]