Chavara International Centre for Indian and Interreligious Studies (CICIIS) in Sacramento, California, USA is the first extension Centre of CSWR, DVK outside India for promoting interreligious studies, dialogue, and harmony among religions and cultures. Inaugurated in October 2005, the Centre is making significant contributions in the study of different religions and cultures and in the mutual understanding and harmony among followers of various religious sects and faiths through talks, discussions, seminars, prayers, and meditations. The bishop of Sacramento and the Prior General of CMI Congregation and Vice-Chancellor of the DVK are the patrons of the Centre. Situated in the vicinity of the California State University Campus, the Centre works in close collaboration with the Sacramento diocesan Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.
Director: Dr. George Thadathil, CMI
Email: georgethadam@hotmail.com
Chavara Institute of Indian and Inter-Religious Studies (CIIS) was established in 1977 in Rome as a creative response of the CMI Congregation to the call of Vatican Council II for entering into interreligious dialogue and study of religions of the world. The Institute tries to foster studies and research 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 and a peaceful co-existence of religions promoting universal brotherhood. The Institute has made great strides over the past years through various courses, lecture series, interreligious prayer meetings, seminars, publications and library service in the field of interreligious studies. Taking into consideration its contributions and in view of further enhancing its academic standards Chavara Institute has been recognized as the second Extension Centre outside India of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK) in 2010.The Institute also receives staff support from various universities in Rome and DVK.
Director: Dr. Shaji Kochuthara, CMI
Email: kochuthshaji@gmail.com