Professor Joseph Ellul O.P. Born in Msida (Malta) in 1960 and joined the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in 1976. Received the Dominican habit in 1978 and took simple vows in 1979. Took solemn vows in 1982 and was ordained priest in 1985. Left for Rome in 1983 in order to specialize in Islamic Studies at the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Obtained the Licentiate in 1986. Pursued further studies at the Pontifical University St Thomas Aquinas and obtained a Licentiate in Ecumenical Theology in 1987 and a Ph.D. in the same area of specialization ten years later. Founded the theological and cultural review KNISJA2000 (CHURCH2000) in 1988; continued to direct as editor until 1993. Member of the Committee on Muslim Relations of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences from 2005 till 2009. Served as Consultor for the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue between 2007 and 2013.
Appointed President of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue within the Archdiocese of Malta in 2011. Awarded the title of Master in Sacred Theology in recognition of academic work in the field of Islamic Studies and that of Interreligious Dialogue in 2017. Participated in various fora on dialogue between Christians and Muslims both in Malta as well as in Italy, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, and Indonesia and is author of numerous articles in this field.