Meeting of the Hindu-Catholic Dialogue
Wednesday, April 15 2026Ottawa — The national Hindu-Catholic Dialogue, co-sponsored by the Hindu-Federation of Canada and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), convened on 14 March at the Ram Mandir in Mississauga. The meeting focused on the theme of sacred architecture within the respective religious traditions.
Dialogue co-chair Uday Lohakare presented on the history and symbolism of Hindu temple architecture, highlighting both Northern and Southern Indian styles, as well as associated ritual and devotional practices. Subdeacon Dr. Brian Butcher, Ph.D., Advisor for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the CCCB, offered a complementary presentation on historic churches in both Western and Eastern traditions. His remarks explored biblical prototypes of the tabernacle and temple, with particular reference to Chartres Cathedral and Hagia Sophia.
The presentations prompted substantive discussions among Dialogue members on architectural traditions, as well as related theological themes, including worship, soteriology and eschatology.
The Ram Mandir, a central gathering location for the Hindu Federation of Canada, has hosted the Dialogue on several previous occasions. The next meeting, scheduled for 12 September, will take place at a Catholic church, reflecting the Dialogue’s commitment to reciprocity in hosting.
Catholics interested in attending a future session, as observers, are invited to contact Dr. Butcher at b.butcher@cccb.ca, or Catholic co-chair, Bishop Daniel Miehm, at bishopmiehm@peterboroughdiocese.org.
The CCCB expresses its gratitude for the Hindu Federation’s ongoing partnership in promoting interfaith harmony and looks forward to continued collaboration in the face of our current societal divisions.
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Media requests:
Pomeline Martinoski
Director of Communications
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Email: communications@cccb.ca
Telephone: 613-241-9461, ext. 225