Aim

Foster research and discussion in the fields of Interreligious dialogue and Eastern Christianity and help people to recognise and appreciate the religious, cultural, and spiritual values of the ancient religions of India aiming at a mutually enriching and meaningful encounter between the East and the West, promoting peaceful co-existence of religions and spreading the message of universal brotherhood.

History

CIIS was established by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate religious Congregation, when Very Rev. Dr. Theobald Pothankckad was its Prior General, in 1977 as a response to the call of Second Vatican Council to undertake study and research of other religions with a view to enter into dialogue with them. Recognising its unprecedented growth the Centre has been elevated to the status of an Institute changing its name from Centre for Indian and Interreligious Studies (CIIS) into Chavara Institute of Indian and Interreligious Studies (CIIS), Rome. Considering its continued contributions in the field of interreligious studies and further enhancing the academic excellence, in 2010 at the request of Rev. Dr. Isaac Arickappalil CMI the Institute has been declared as an extension centre of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK), Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy, Theology, and Canon Law, Bangalore, India.