An interfaith meeting bringing together leaders from the Catholic Church, Methodist community, Muslim community, and Hindu faith tradition was held at the Sivan Gnana Sabay Sivan Koil Temple in Lenasia, Johannesburg.

The 26 May 2026 gathering sought to initiate the formation of an inclusive interfaith group aimed at promoting mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation among religious communities, while also exploring joint responses to social and moral challenges facing society.

From the Catholic Church, the meeting was attended by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, accompanied by Fr Vusi, Fr Elias Abdi, M.Afr., Parish Priest of St Thomas and Vicar for Interfaith Dialogue in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, and Fr Bonaventure Mashata, M.Afr., Coordinating Secretary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Department of Ecumenism, Interreligious Dialogue and Dialogue with the Secular World.

Representing the Methodist community was Bishop Paul Verryn, while the Muslim delegation was led by Sheiq Saffiulah and Dr Masawudu. Representatives of the Hindu community hosted the gathering at the temple.

According to Fr Mashata, the meeting was chaired by Cardinal Brislin, who facilitated the discussions without assuming leadership of the interfaith group, reflecting the spirit of equality and shared responsibility among the participating faith traditions.

The programme began with an opening prayer and words of welcome offered by the Hindu Guru. Discussions then focused on the establishment of a sustainable interfaith structure that would encourage ongoing collaboration and regular encounters among religious leaders and communities.

Participants also shared a vegetarian meal and were given a guided visit of the temple, during which explanations were offered on Hindu religious practices and traditions. The meeting concluded with a closing reflection by the Hindu Guru.

Those present expressed strong support for continued interfaith collaboration and affirmed the importance of building relationships founded on mutual understanding, peace, and solidarity.

The gathering marked an important step towards strengthening interreligious dialogue in Johannesburg Archdiocese and reaffirmed the shared commitment of faith communities to work together in addressing the social and moral challenges affecting society today.