Three African Prelates appointed to Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue

Following what would be described as weeks of learning and decisive leadership as the new Pontiff, Pope Leo has begun taking bold steps to strengthen the institutions of the Vatican. The latest of such efforts is the appointment of new members to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, an office of the Roman Curia tasked with promoting understanding, respect, and collaboration between the Catholic Church and other religious traditions.

Among those appointed are three African prelates, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Umtata, South Africa; Bishop Ollo Modeste Kambou of Gaoua, Burkina Faso; and Bishop Wilybard Lagho of Malindi, Kenya. Their appointments reflect the Vatican’s growing acknowledgement of Africa’s essential role in interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and religious coexistence.

Joining them are several high-ranking Cardinals and Bishops from across the globe, reinforcing the Church’s commitment to global inclusion in matters of interreligious relations. These include Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, O.F.M., the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Israel; Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, S.V.D., Archbishop of Tōkyō, Japan; Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, O.F.M. Conv., Archbishop of Teheran-Ispahan of the Latins, Iran; and Cardinal Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, Canada.

Other notable appointments include Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham in the United Kingdom and Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski of Saint Louis in the United States. From Asia and the Middle East, the appointments include Archbishop Yagop Mourad of Homs of the Syrians, Syria; Archbishop Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok, Thailand; Bishop Joseph Chau Ngoc Tri of Lang Són et Cao Bang, Vietnam; and Bishop Yousaf Sohan of Multan, Pakistan.

The list also features Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp., of Ponta de Pedras, Brazil; Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra of Holy Trinity in Almaty, Kazakhstan; and Bishop Echchampulle Arachchige Jude Nishantha Silva of Badulla, Sri Lanka. From Europe, the Pope appointed Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick, Ireland; Bishop Paolo Martinelli, O.F.M. Cap., Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia in the UAE; Bishop Derio Olivero of Pinerolo, Italy; Bishop Christophorus Tri Harsono of Purwokerto, Indonesia; and Bishop Bertram Johannes Meier of Augsburg, Germany.

The appointments come at a time when the world faces heightened religious tensions and the need for dialogue is more critical than ever. The members are expected to advise and support the Dicastery’s mission to promote mutual understanding, address prejudice, and facilitate cooperation between the Church and other religious communities.

The inclusion of voices from diverse cultural and religious contexts affirms Pope Leo’s desire to guide the Church toward a future of deeper engagement, empathy, and witness in a pluralistic world. It is also an indication of the universality of the Church and its mission to foster peace through dialogue.