Welcome to Chavara Institute of Indian and inter-Religious Studies

Welcome to Chavara Institute of Indian and inter-Religious Studies

About us


CHAVARA INSTITUTE OF INDIAN AND INTERRELIGIOUS STUDIES
(CIIS) ROME
 
Chavara Institute for Indian and Interreligious Studies (CIIS), in Rome is an Extension Centre of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy, Theology and Canon Law, Bangalore, India. It is manned and managed by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI), the first indigenous Religious Congregation of India. The Institute tries to foster research and discussion in the fields of Interreligious dialogue and Eastern Christianity and to help people to recognize 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.
Historical Sketch:
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. Her Excellency, Mrs. Rukmini Menon, then Indian Ambassador to Italy inaugurated it in a meeting presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Gabriele Garrone, then Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education. His Eminence Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, then secretary of Propaganda Fide, and Prof. Horst Burkle (Munich) gave orientation talks.  
The original name of the institute was Centre for Indian and Interreligious Studies (CIIS) and the immediate inspiration for the establishment of the Centre in Rome was an article by Rev. Fr. George Kaniarakath CMI in the “Carmela Sandesam”, official CMI bulletin for private circulation. The project was entrusted to Rev. Fr. Thomas Aykara CMI, then Professor of Dharmaram College  by V. Rev. Fr. Theobald Pothanikkatt CMI, Prior General. The core-committee consisted of Rev. Fr. Thomas Aykara, Fr. Justin Koyipuram, then CMI Procurator General in Rome, Fr. Lucas Vithuvattical, then Postulator General for the cause of canonization of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the founder of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) for men and the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) for women.
The Centre has been operating from the CMI Procura in Via Martino V, 26/B, 00167 Rome. Since October 1983 the Centre is working from its present premises in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 294/10, 00186 Rome. The formal opening of these premises was held on 19 March 1984. Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, Archbishop Miroslav Marusyn, Archbishop Jadot, Archbishop Pietro Rossano and others were present on this occasion. 
From the time of its inception the Centre has been conducting various programmes in the field of interreligious studies and understanding. Recognizing 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 when Rev. Prof. Thomas Aykara CMI was its director (1997-2002). Considering its continued contributions in the field of interreligious studies and further enhancing the academic excellence, in 2010 at the request of the present director, 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, by Very Rev. Fr. Jose Panthaplamthottiyil, CMI, Prior General who is the Vice Chancellor of DVK.
Directors over the years:
Rev. Dr. Justin Koyipuram CMI (1977 - 1979)
Rev. Dr. Thomas Mampra CMI (1979-1982)
Rev. Dr. Albert Nampiaparampil CMI (1982-1984)
Rev. Dr. George Kaniarakath CMI (1984-1986)
Rev. Dr. Augustine Thottakara CMI (1986-1997)
Rev. Dr. Thomas Aykara CMI (1997-2002)
Rev. Dr. Alexander Thannippara CMI (2002-2005)
Rev. Dr. Jacob Marangattu CMI (2005-2008)
Present Director: Rev. Dr. Isaac Arickappalil CMI (2008 - ...........) 

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