Pope Francis has named Fr In-gun Joseph Kang SJ one of the consultors of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The Holy Father made the appointment on 22 October.

Fr Kang is a Korean missionary in Cambodia since 1997. He has spent many years promoting interreligious dialogue and has a very close relationship with the Buddhist monks in the country. He holds a doctorate in Buddhist-Christian Relations from Heythrop College, University of London, and has an extensive experience in Buddhist-Christian dialogue in Cambodia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

Currently, Fr Kang is the Coordinator for Buddhist Studies and Dialogue, and Director of East Asia Theological Encounter Program of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. He also teaches at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and St John Vianney Seminary in Phnom Penh, and is the Director of Magga Jesuit Research Center of Jesuit Service Cambodia.

“I feel that the work I have been doing for interreligious dialogue in JCAP has been greatly appreciated, so it is a great encouragement,” said Fr Kang.

Support from his friends in the JCAP Buddhist Studies and Dialogue network came pouring in with the news of his appointment. Cambodian monk Venerable Sovechea said: “All the best wishes for you with deep love.”

A couple of years ago during the profession of his Final Vows in Cambodia, Fr Kang said he takes the words of Pope Francis personally in his mission as a Jesuit “to become an apostle of joy and consolation, of compassion, and of communal discernment”.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is the central office of the Church for the promotion of interreligious dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, in particular the declaration Nostra aetate.

It is responsible for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration between Catholics and followers of other religious traditions, encouraging the study of religions, and promoting the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue.