Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

History

• 1964.05.19: Established as Secretariat for Non-Christians (English) / Sekretariat für die Nichtchristen (Deutsch) / Segretariato per i Non Cristiani (Italiano)
• 1974: Branched to create Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims
• 1988.06.30: Promoted as Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue (English) / Pontifical Rat für den interreligiösen Dialog (Deutsch) / Pontificio Consejo para el diálogo interreligioso (español) / Conseil pontifical pour le dialogue interrreligieux (français) / Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Inter-Religioso (Italiano) / Papieska Rada ds. Dialogu Międzyreligijnego (polski) / 宗座宗教交談委員會 (中文) / 諸宗教対話評議会 (日本語) / 종교간대화평의회 (한국어) / Pontifício Conselho para o Diálogo Inter-Religioso (Português) / Pontificium Consilium pro Dialogo Inter Religiones (latine)
• 2022.06.05: Promoted as Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (English) / Dikasterium für den interreligiösen Dialog (Deutsch) / Dicasterio para el diálogo interreligioso (español) / Dicastère pour le dialogue interrreligieux (français) / Dicastero per il Dialogo Inter-Religioso (Italiano) / Dykasteria ds. Dialogu Międzyreligijnego (polski) / Dicastério para o Diálogo Inter-Religioso (Português) / 宗教交談部 (中文) / 諸宗教対話省 (日本語) / 종교간대화성 (한국어) / Dicasterium pro Dialogo Inter Religiones (latine)

Documents: (x 117)

Associated Organizations

• Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims

Present Officials

Prefect (2025.01.24 – ...):	Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad (52) Cardinal-Deacon of S. Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia Prefect of Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims
Secretary (2019.07.03 – ...):	Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage (59) Priest of Badulla (Sri Lanka) Vice-Prefect of Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims Chaplain of His Holiness
Undersecretary (2019.11.11 – ...):	Fr. Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, S.X. (55)
Bureau Chief (2025.06.01 – ...):	Fr. Laurent Basanese, S.J. (56) Secretary of Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims

Past Officials Prefect: Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.J. (2019.05.25 – 2024.11.25) President: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran (2007.09.01 – 2018.07.05) President: Cardinal Paul Poupard (95) (2006.03.11 – 2007.09.01) President: Archbishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, M. Afr. (88) (later Cardinal) (2002.10.01 – 2006.02.15) President: Cardinal Francis Arinze (93) (1985.05.27 – 2002.10.01) President: Cardinal Sergio Pignedoli (1973.03.06 – 1980.06.15) President: Cardinal Paolo Marella (1964.05.19 – 1973.02.26) Pro-President: Cardinal Francis Arinze (93) (1984.04.08 – 1985.05.27) Pro-President: Archbishop Jean Jadot (1980.06.27 – 1984.04.08) Secretary: Bishop Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, M.C.C.J. (later Cardinal) (2012.06.30 – 2019.05.25) Secretary: Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata (89) (2002.11.14 – 2012.06.30) Secretary: Bishop Michael Louis Fitzgerald, M. Afr. (88) (later Cardinal) (1988.06.30 – 2002.10.01) Secretary: Fr. Michael Louis Fitzgerald, M. Afr. (88) (later Cardinal) (1987.01.22 – 1988.06.30) Secretary: Fr. Marcello Zago, O.M.I. (later Archbishop) (1983 – 1986) Secretary: Msgr. Pietro Rossano (later Bishop) (1973 – 1982.12.07) Secretary: Fr. Pierre Humbertclaude, S.M. (1964 – 1973) Undersecretary: Msgr. Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage (59) (2012.06.12 – 2019.07.03) Undersecretary: Msgr. Andrew Thanya-anan Vissanu (2008.06.21 – 2012) Undersecretary: Msgr. Felix Anthony Machado (77) (later Archbishop) (1999.10.01 – 2008.01.16) Undersecretary: Fr. John Bosco Masayuki Shirieda, S.D.B. (1974 – 1999) Undersecretary: Msgr. Pietro Rossano (later Bishop) (1966 – 1973) Undersecretary: Fr. Joseph Cuoq, M. Afr. (1965 – 1969)

Last updated on 2026.04.11

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