MANDALAY (UCAN): Six Asian bishops were among the new members appointed by Pope Francis to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in an announcement by the Vatican on July 8.
Named to the council are Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay, Myamar; Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo Hardjoatmodj of Jakarta, Indonesia;
Bishop Yoshinao Otsuka of Kyoto, Japan; Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado of Vasai, India; Bishop Raphy Manjaly of Allahabad; India; and Joseph Đình Đúc Đao of Xuân Lôc, Vietnam. Luis Cardinal Antonio Tagle of the Philippines, the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, is also among the new members.
The Council for Interreligious Dialogue is the central office for the promotion of interfaith dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, particularly Nostra Aetate (Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions).
It is responsible for promoting mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions, encouraging the study of religions and promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue.
