The relationship between Christianity and Islam has become a major topic of discussion in recent years and that was also the subject of discussion Wednesday night at Niagara University.

As part of its McNulty Lecture Series, the university welcomed Dr. Philip Jenkins, a professor of history and religious studies at Penn State University, to speak at Niagara's Castellani Art Museum. Jenkins has written over 20 books on a wide variety of subjects, nearly 120 articles and delivered numerous lectures on religion.

The series, which was established by the late Father Thomas P. McGourty, C.M., a former Niagara faculty member who passed away last summer, focuses on topics relevant to social justice and inter-religious dialogue. Father McGourty established the series last year in remembrance of his late aunt and uncle, Grace and Henry McNulty, and the university dedicated this year's installment to McGourty.

Dr. Brian Bennett, chair of the religious studies department at Niagara University, noted that last year's lecture focused on immigration in the United States. He also added that Jenkins was a logical choice for the 2008 series.

"This year, we wanted to invite a speaker to talk about religion," Bennett added. "Philip Jenkins has published several books, and he just recently published a book on Christianity and Islam in modern Europe, so he seemed to be an ideal fit."

The book Bennett was referring to, God's Continent: Christianity, Islam and Europe's Religious Crisis, was published in 2007. It was named by Booklist as one of last year's top 10 religion titles.

The focus of Jenkins' lecture was the religious crisis that is currently taking place in Europe. Other topics addressed include the role of immigrants in the development of Christianity in Europe, terrorism and the role of faith in politics.

Jenkins refuted the widely perceived notion that Christianity in Europe has declined dramatically and Islam there has risen steadily, adding that Muslims only account for between 4 and 5 percent of Europe's population.

Jenkins also argued that the current trend among Europeans of having fewer children is one of the reasons for the declining number of Christians in Europe, but he added that this trend is not exclusive to European countries.

"The change of people having fewer kids is happening not just in the Christian-European world, but also in the Islamic world," Jenkins said. He noted that this is the case with Iran, whose population has declined steadily in recent years at a rate sharper than that of many European countries.

Jenkins also discussed some common stereotypes certain religions are faced with today. He specified on the popular association between terrorism and Islam, adding that terrorism, although a serious problem, is not a Muslim issue, but one of race and class.