Latest news with #DicasteryforInterreligiousDialogue
Herald Malaysia
27-05-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Catholic and Buddhist delegations to hold 8th Colloquium in Cambodia
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue announces the 8th Buddhist-Christian Colloquium, which will take place in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on May 27-29. May 27, 2025 A delegation of Thai Buddhists met with the late Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot in the Vatican on June 15, 2023 (Vatican Media) CAMBODIA: The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, together with Buddhist universities and monasteries in Cambodia and the Bishops' Conference of Cambodia, will host the Eighth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium in Phnom Penh on May 27-29, 2025. According to a comunique from the Holy See Press Office, the event's theme is: 'Buddhists and Christians Working Together for Peace through Reconciliation and Resilience.' Around 150 Christian and Buddhist participants from across Asia and elsewhere will meet in the Cambodian capital city to 'reflect, dialogue, and collaborate on promoting peace in our time.' Representatives will hail from 16 countries and the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). 'In a world ravaged by conflict and violence,' noted the comunique, 'this colloquium is a timely reminder of the power of religion not only to prevent violence but also to foster healing, reconciliation, and resilience.' The colloquium seeks to continue a tradition of 'fostering mutual understanding and strengthening cooperation between Buddhists and Christians in the service of peace.' 'Held in a land marked by the legacy of His Holiness Maha Ghosananda, this international gathering will explore how sacred texts, spiritual teachings, and lived experiences can offer healing and hope,' concluded the comunique. The 7th Buddhist-Christian Colloquium took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 13-16, 2023, and focused on finding common actions to 'heal the wounds of humanity and the planet.'--Vatican News
Irish Post
08-05-2025
- General
- Irish Post
Habemus Papam! We have a new Pope
Pope Leo XIV becomes the 267th Bishop of Rome. The soft-spoken moderate, steeped in missionary work, steps onto the world stage Pope Leo XIV while still cardinal, attending the funeral of Pope Francis (Photo by) AMID great excitement in St Peter's Square in Rome, the white smoke arose just after 6pm Italian time (5pm in Britain and Ireland). After a wait of around one and-a-half hours, as the crowd became ever more animated and the atmosphere more expectant, the curtains parted. A hush came over St Peter's Square. Vatican City fell silent. French prelate Cardinal Protodeacon Mamberti stepped forward, took the mic, and said: 'Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam!' ('I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope!') Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost had ascended to the throne of St Peter, becoming the 267th Bishop of Rome and Supreme Pontiff. The 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost is from Chicago, though he spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms. He holds both Peruvian and US citizenship. Born to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent, in Chicago, Illinois, he has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. In Rome, he was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica by Monsignor Jean Jadot, then Pro-President of the Pontifical Council for Non-Christians, now the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Prevost obtained his licentiate in 1984; and the following year, while preparing his doctoral thesis, was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (1985–1986). In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis on "The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine" and was appointed vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of 'Mother of Good Counsel' in Olympia Fields, Illinois (USA). On September 26, 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. In March 2018, and in 2023 he was made cardinal. The soft spoken pope with a long record of missionary work is regarded as a moderate within the Church, but not primarily from the liberal wing. Unlike Francis he opted to wear the traditional papal robes when appearing on the balcony for the first time. This has been interpreted that, from the outset, he will balance reform with stability. The fact that Pope Leo XIV was elected in a conclave that only lasted two days would indicate that the College of Cardinals was not deeply divided on the choice. Two days is a reasonably quick turnaround for the decision to elect the leader of more than a billion Catholics. Although we don't know how the voting went, as it was a relatively short conclave we can assume that neither the Irish-born Cardinal Kevin Farrell nor any of the four English-born cardinals emerged at any point as an outside 'compromise' candidate. Pope Leo XIV is fluent in Spanish and Italian, as well, of course as his mother tongue English — along with several other languages. Today, being fluent in Italian and English is an absolute must for any realistic papal candidate, with Spanish being a desired attribute as well. As one priest from Chile told me in St Peter's Square: 'If you can speak English and Spanish you can speak to half the people in the world. And if you speak Italian as well, you can speak to the whole of the Curia.' Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin wished Pope Leo XIV "every strength, good health, and the required spiritual guidance as he begins his mission of leading the Catholic Church at a time of challenge, building on the pastoral direction and achievements of Pope Francis". He added: "On behalf of the government and the people of Ireland, I offer warm congratulations to Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as Pope Leo XIV. "The scenes of great joy and celebrations in St. Peter's Square are a reflection of the hopes and goodwill felt by people of the Catholic faith from all around the world towards the new pope. See More: Bishop Of Rome, New Pope, Vatican
NDTV
22-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
These 4 Indian Cardinals Will Be In Conclave That Picks Next Pope
Vatican City: Following the death of the Pope, the Vatican will enter a nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale, an ancient Roman tradition that continues to this day. During this time, preparations will begin for the election of the next Pontiff. After the mourning period, the Cardinals will be called into Conclave to elect the next Vicar of Christ. Among the 135 cardinals currently eligible to vote in the Papal conclave, four are from India. These include Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Cardinal Anthony Poola, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, 51, is the Cardinal-Deacon of S Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia and Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Cardinal Filipe Neri Antonio Sebastiao do Rosario Ferrao, 72, is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Daman (India), President of Conference of Catholic Bishops of India and President of Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. Cardinal Anthony Poola (63) is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal is the Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara (India) and President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church. As of April 19, there are 252 cardinals, out of whom 135 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. The colour of the smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney serves as a traditional signal during the papal conclave. Black smoke means the cardinals have not yet selected a new Pope, while white smoke indicates that a new Pope has been elected. Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, according to a statement from the Vatican. At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow, I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Born in Buenos Aires, as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, a papal conclave elected Cardinal Bergoglio as his successor on March 13. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi.
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Four Indians with voting right to elect Pope's successor
KOCHI: Four Indian cardinals, including two Keralites, are part of the 120-strong College of Cardinals who will attend a secret conclave to choose the next . The Indian cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave are Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, 72, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of the East Indies; Thiruvananthapuram-based Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, 64, the Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church; Cardinal Anthony Poola, 63, Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first Dalit cardinal in history; and Changanassery native Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, 51, who had been coordinating Pope Francis' foreign trips since 2021 Only cardinals aged below 80 years can vote in conclave Koovakad was elevated to the cardinalate in December 2024 and appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue in January 2025. Only cardinals aged below 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave. Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop Emeritus of the Syro-Malabar Church, turned 80 on April 19. He participated as a cardinal-elector in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. During the conclave, Alencherry was one of the four cardinal-electors from outside the Latin Church who wore different vestments, proper to their respective churches. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, turned 80 last December. The conclave typically begins 15-20 days after the pope's death, allowing time for the cardinals to travel to Rome. The exact date is set by the College of Cardinals, likely within a week of the funeral.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pope Francis India connection: Canonisations, cardinals, and a visit that wasn't
NEW DELHI: and India shared a deep yet distant relationship of spiritual milestones, gestures of recognition of cardinals, and an unfulfilled dream—a papal visit that never came to pass. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The visit that was most likely to be held this year- the Jubilee Year - could not materialize as the Pope passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. His departure attracted condolence from leaders across political ideologies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalling his meeting him. "I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God's embrace," he said. The missed visit Despite his long-standing desire to visit India, Pope Francis never made the journey. Hopes were high that his visit would align with PM Modi's trip to the Vatican, but the plan ultimately didn't materialize. Still, his efforts to strengthen ties with India's Catholic community never waned. Just months before his passing, Francis elevated Indian priest George Jacob Koovakad to the rank of Cardinal—a significant moment that underscored his recognition of the country's vibrant Catholic presence. The 51-year-old from Kerala's Archdiocese of Changanassery became the sixth Indian cardinal, appointed during a grand consistory at St Peter's Basilica on December 7, 2024. Koovakad, a key Vatican figure responsible for coordinating the Pope's international travels since 2020, also serves as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. PM Modi and senior church leaders welcomed the announcement with pride, with Union minister George Kurian leading a delegation to witness the historic ceremony in Rome. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Canonisations that inspired a nation Pope Francis's tenure saw several landmark canonisations that brought joy to the Indian faithful. In 2014, he elevated Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal—both from Kerala—to sainthood. This was followed in 2019 by the canonisation of Mariam Thresia, another Kerala-born nun, adding to the growing list of Indian saints . Perhaps most notably, in 2022, Pope Francis canonised Devasahayam Pillai, an 18th-century Hindu convert to Christianity from Tamil Nadu. He became the first Indian layperson to be declared a saint, an event celebrated by both the Catholic Church and the wider Indian Christian community. A papacy marked by both unity and discord However, Pope Francis's papacy also faced challenges within the Indian Church, particularly surrounding the contentious issue of liturgical uniformity in the Syro-Malabar Church. A Vatican-endorsed directive—known as the "50:50 formula"—required priests to face the altar for the bulk of the Holy Mass, diverging from the tradition in some dioceses of facing the congregation throughout. The directive sparked ongoing protests in the Ernakulam–Angamaly Archdiocese, with a strong section of priests and laity refusing to adopt the change. The dispute led to the resignation of Cardinal George Alencherry as the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church in 2023. He was succeeded by Bishop Raphael Thattil, as the Church continued grappling with internal divisions.
