Cardinal Koovakad: ‘Religions are part of the solution for global conflict’
Description
In a wide-ranging interview, the prefect of the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue, Cardinal George Koovakad, spoke with The Pillar last week about the importance of Nostra aetate 60 years after its publication, and the role religions can play in defusing global tensions.
Cardinal George Koovakad also addressed the ongoing liturgical dispute within his own Syro-Malabar Church and the role of Eastern Catholics in Vatican administration.
Koovakad is 52 years old. He was ordained in 2004 and joined the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 2006. In 2020 he joined the staff of the Secretariat of State and was responsible for organizing papal trips. He became a cardinal in 2024, in the last consistory held by Pope Francis.
In January 2025, Koovakad was appointed prefect of the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue, and is also a member of the Dicastery for Eastern Churches. He participated in the Conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV in May.
The interview took place on the sidelines of a short visit to Portugal, during which the cardinal attended a meeting at the KAICIID International Dialogue Center in Lisbon and spoke at a conference in Fatima, it has been edited for length and clarity.
Nostra aetate — the Second Vatican Council declaration on non-Christian religions — turns 60 this year.
Is it still a good foundation for Catholic dialogue with other religions, or is it too dated?
That’s right, we are about to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate. This Second Vatican Council document was an important turning point with regard to the attitude of the Catholic Church towards other religions, to respect what is sacred and good in other religions, and to move forward together for peace and harmony in society. So that spirit of Nostra Aetate, that openness, is fundamental. It was a seed, but now it has become a tree!
It began with Pope Saint John XXIII, but then with Paul VI’s Ecclesiam suam, and then Pope John Paul II and the important meeting at Assisi, of which we will celebrate the 40th anniversary next year. Then Pope Benedict, of course, contributed again to the need of continuing this dialogue in charity. And Pope Francis, it goes without saying! We need only think about the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed at Abu Dhabi in 2019.
And Pope Leo XIV is continuing in the same spirit that Nostra aetate brought. So really, Nostra aetate is very important, fundamental even, for inter-religious dialogue as far as the Church is concerned.
Pope Leo will take next month his first international trip to Turkey, which is a major player in the Muslim world. And then he is going to Lebanon, which is also, of course, a very important country in the Middle East, as a focal point for relations between Christians and different forms of Islam.
What are your expectations for this trip, from an inter-religious point of view?
Pope Leo is going as a pilgrim of peace. Since his first message, the first day when he addressed the people, he has been quoting the same message of Jesus: “Peace be with you”.
As we know, Pope Francis had the intention of going only to Turkey, because of the ecumenical importance of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. But now Pope Leo XIV is the new Holy Father and so it became his first state visit, and it has both an ecumenical and inter-religious aspect.
Lebanon was not in the original plan, so this is the desire of Pope Leo XIV and I am sure that it is to address the message of peace and the need of peace in the Middle East, especially, and in the whole world.
There’s Vatican dialogue with many different religions, but for obvious reasons, dialogue with Islam is prominent.
But Islam, especially Sunni Islam, has no central authority, so how do you choose who to dialogue with? Does it make sense to dialogue with just anyone, or are you selective in who you meet with?
As a dicastery, we are open to dialogue with any group of people, or religious groups. But regarding how we choose, it is a concerted activity, we coordinate together with the local churches, with the bishops’ conference, and also with apostolic nunciatures worldwide. We take all this into account, because some people or religious groups may not be very significant worldwide, but in a certain country, in a certain situation, they are important.
So we always listen to that advice and according to the suggestions we receive, we take our own steps forward. But very often now, especially due to Pope Francis’ pontificate, many groups are interested in reaching out to us, and we promote that.
There is much debate among Muslims about the true meaning of Islam, and the correct interpretation of the Quran, for example.
Does your approach to dialogue express an opinion on those issues?
Inter-religious dialogue means that, with respect, we try to foster good relationships. It is walking together, with respect. And the important thing is to bear witness of believing in God. We all believe in God.
When it is in regard to [other] religions, we do not enter into [their] doctrinal discussions, because each group believes that what they believe is the truth. So, we don’t want to enter into that sort of discussion.
There are things in common, perhaps more things in common than there are things that divide us, and it is important to explore these together.
And there are things which are universal: that religion is a relationship with God, and a religious person cannot provoke or condone violence, cannot kill in the name of God, cannot promote terrorism, or use religion for personal interests. So, there are common things that we can work on together, and make this world a better place.
You grew up in India, which is a very religiously diverse country.
How exposed were you to Hinduism and to Islam? Did that prepare you for this job?
Yes, I was born in India, in a multicultural and multi-religious setting. And from my childhood days, I had friends whose families were from other religions, especially Hinduism and Islam.
I often think that it is incredible how His Holiness Pope Francis made me cardinal! I never in my life expected it. But now I can say that it was really a providential decision that was made by His Holiness that now I have been given this responsibility for the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue.
You have an insight into Hinduism that most clerics would not have.
Have you had the opportunity yet to dialogue with Hindu leaders?
I have had some experiences recently, but I would say that more than an official inter-religious dialogue I have had the experience of a dialogue of life, growing up without prejudice. It makes you believe in inter-religious dialogue, in forging relationships.
Nowadays, we see an increase in prejudice, labelling people as this or that. That is not correct, it is injustice. We have to really experience first-hand and understand the people, and the drive to do that is something that I got naturally from my life experience.
We’ve seen both M
United States
