UPDATE – 1 November 2025 The Institute of Jainology took an active part in the Nostra Aetate 60 conference in Rome, where its presentations were well received by both organisers and delegates. The sessions allowed the Jain community to set out its perspective clearly and to add substance to the ongoing Jain–Catholic relationship. Dr Mehool[…]
Category Archives: Inter-faith Network Activities
04
Jun
Jun
IOJ at the Vatican: Jain Voices at the 2025 Conference on Renewing and Re-igniting Hope In June 2025, representatives of the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) joined religious leaders, scholars, and delegates from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, and Sikh traditions for a major conference hosted by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican. The theme[…]
21
May
May
On Sunday 18 May 2025, representatives of the Institute of Jainology were honoured to attend the inaugural mass of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, held at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Representing the global Jain community, Dr Mehool Sanghrajka MBE (Managing Trustee), Mr Dilip Shah (Treasurer), and Mr Amit Lathia (Secretary) joined global heads[…]
20
May
May
The Institute of Jainology is honoured to announce its collaboration with the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue at the Vatican for an important interfaith conference entitled: “Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs: In Dialogue and Collaboration to Renew and to Re-ignite Hope in Our Times”Date: 4th June 2025Location: Vatican City This timely conference brings together voices[…]
08
Mar
Mar
“As a child, I vividly remember my mum taking me to the Jain temple, which we call “Derasar.” I recall the ritual of taking my shoes off before entering, the cool, soothing marble beneath my feet, and how, in an instant, I was transported to a world of calm and peace far removed from the[…]
02
Dec
Dec
For over 30 years the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) and the Vatican have had good relations with many visits and joint activities to promote awareness and inter-faith dialogue. This year, after a break for COVID, the IOJ led its 4th international delegation to the Vatican with delegates, totalling 37, from the UK, America, Middle East[…]
18
Nov
Nov
Summary of Jain Engagement with the Vatican to date. 1986 Direct contact between the Vatican and the Jain community occurred for the first time in October 1986, when Pope John Paul II convened representatives of the world’s religions to gather at the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy to pray together for the first time[…]
11
Mar
Mar
The Commonwealth Service, a celebration of the Commonwealth in its 75th anniversary year took place on Monday 11th March 2024, at Westminster Abbey. The Commonwealth Service is held on the second Monday of March each year and celebrates the people and cultures of all the Commonwealth nations. The service was attended by Queen Camilla, William,[…]
Message to the Jain Community from Gareth Thomas MP I am writing to you following the celebration of Lord Mahavir’s birth anniversary. I hope that you were blessed to be able to spend time with loved ones on this most auspicious of days, even if that was via ‘Zoom’ or ‘Skype’ or “old style”[…]
Institute of Jainology and Zoroastrian Community hosted a joint husting on November 20, 2019 at Zoroastrian Centre in Harrow. The event was attended by prospective parliamentary candidates for Harrow East, Harrow West, Ruislip, Pinner and Northwood from Labour and Conservatives Parties and approximately 100 Jain & Zoroastrian community members. Bob Blackman (Conservative) & Pamela Fitzpatrick[…]