Tuesday 20 October marked the penultimate day of Cardinal Koovakad’s visit to the UK today’s events centred on Jain-Christian dialogue, with the theme, “Together to promote ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) for peace in the world”. Read more.
On 19 October Cardinal Koovakad meet with representatives from the Hindu faith.
The day, which had the theme, ‘Hindus and Christians: Together to build a just and peaceable world’, began with a visit to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, also known as Neasden Temple, in northwest London.
The Cardinal was met by representatives of the BAPS – Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a major Hindu denomination within the Swaminarayan tradition – and taken through to the entrance of the temple where there was a ceremonial welcome. Read more.
The visit of Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, continued on Sunday 18 October with the celebration of Mass in Westminster Cathedral, at which Cardinal Koovakad gave the homily, followed by an ecumenical gathering with Jewish representation at Westminster Cathedral Hall, titled ‘In Prayer for Peace’.
In his homily, Cardinal Koovakad observed: “In a world that is increasingly becoming multi-religious, the promotion of cordial interreligious relations is more necessary than ever.”
He reminded the congregation that genuine interreligious dialogue requires faith, love and hope from all sides. Read more.
Representatives from the major world religions gathered in Westminster Cathedral Hall in London on Saturday, 17 October, to meet with Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to sign a pledge to work together for peace, underpinned by a shared recognition of the dignity of every human person. Read more.
Archbishop Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said:
“It is with gratitude and relief that we learned that Pope Leo’s surgery on Tuesday (13 October) at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital was successful.
“We now know that Pope Leo was diagnosed with lung carcinoma and, in this month of the Holy Rosary, we entrust his recovery to the maternal care of Our Lady Health of the Sick.” Read more.
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has today, 10 October, appointed Bishop Timothy Menezes as the new Bishop of Brentwood.
Bishop Timothy, until now an Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, succeeds Bishop Alan Williams, S.M., whose resignation has been accepted by the Holy Father having turned 75 years old on 15 March 2026. Read more.
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