Asian Church Leaders appointed to Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

The Vatican announced the appointment of several bishops and cardinals from Asia to serve as members of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue on July 3, a move that underscores Pope Leo’s recognition of the importance of Asia’s diverse religious landscape in the Church’s global mission of peacebuilding, understanding, and interfaith cooperation.

Among the newly appointed members is Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tokyo and current president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC). Known for his tireless advocacy of interreligious dialogue, missionary outreach, and social justice, Cardinal Kikuchi represents the Church in Japan, a country where Christians are a small minority in a largely secular and non-Christian society.

Also appointed is Bishop Christophorus Tri Harsono of Purwokerto, Indonesia, a leading proponent of Christian-Muslim harmony in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. A former Vatican diplomat, Bishop Harsono has consistently promoted interreligious understanding as a vital part of the Church’s presence and mission.

From Vietnam, Bishop Joseph Chau Ngoc Tri of Lang Són et Cao Bang brings his pastoral experience in engaging with multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities, fostering dialogue and peace in regions where religious coexistence remains essential.

Bishop Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok, Thailand, was also named. He is known for his dynamic work in youth formation and interreligious initiatives within Thailand’s Buddhist-majority context.

In South Asia, the appointments of Bishop Yousaf Sohan of Multan, Pakistan, and Bishop Jude Nishantha Silva of Badulla, Sri Lanka, reflect the Holy See’s recognition of efforts in fostering peaceful religious coexistence under often difficult circumstances marked by religious sensitivity and occasional tension.

Also joining the Dicastery is Archbishop Dominique Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Teheran-Ispahan and of the Latins in Iran. His appointment brings valuable experience from the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the Catholic presence is minimal but meaningful, with dialogue carried out in a delicate and respectful spirit.

Representing Central Asia is Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra of the Diocese of the Holy Trinity in Almaty, Kazakhstan. As president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Central Asia, Bishop Mumbiela played a key role during the 2022 Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Nur-Sultan, showcasing Kazakhstan’s openness to interfaith collaboration.

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, part of the Roman Curia, is tasked with promoting respectful relations and cooperation between the Catholic Church and other religions worldwide. Its work is especially crucial in Asia, where Christianity exists alongside some of the world’s largest religious traditions, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous spiritualities.

Through these appointments, the Vatican affirms the vital contribution of Asian Church leaders to fostering mutual understanding and spiritual solidarity. In societies where Christians are often a minority, their role in building bridges through dialogue is a powerful witness to the Gospel and to the Church’s mission of peace and reconciliation.