Robert William Kaiser, award winning TIME magazine reporter of the Vatican II would be arriving Kolkata on September 13 from Phoenix, Arizona, USA, on a three-week India tour. He will also visit Guwahati and Shillong on September 19 -21.

Kaiser kicks off his lecture tour in Kolkata meeting a group of “All Faith Forum” and FACES (Friends and Alumni/ae of Colleges, Educational institutions and Schools) members at the Academy of Fine Arts, 14th September (6pm).

“It is indeed a symbolic and keeping with the Ecumenical Council’s invitation to be more ‘open to people of other faiths and religions,’ that Kaiser has his first meeting in India with an inter-religious group,” remarked Jesuit Fr Gaston Roberge professor at St Xavier’s College Kolkata.

“For me this talk by Kaiser is not a show, it is a religious event, not to project Catholic activity, but humanity,” added the Indian cinema theory guru.

Fifty years ago, the Catholic Church held meetings with over 2,000 bishops called ‘Council’ over a four year period to discuss the state of the church and the relationship of the Christians among themselves and with all people. The last one, the Second Vatican Council took place in1962-1965. The first Vatican Council took place in 1870.

On September 15 (6 pm) Kaiser would be felicitated at St Xavier’s College at 30, Mother Teresa Sarani, followed by a talk on his experiences and the human side of the Council. The talk is entitled: “Steps to a Church of the People, for the People.”

On September 16 (5.30 pm) he will address Conference of Religious India (Calcutta chapter) at Loreto College, Kolkata.
On September 17, he is scheduled to address students of Morning Star College Regional Seminary Barrackpore at 5 pm.

Kaiser would visit Guwahati (September 19.), Shillong (September 20, 9 am & 4 pm), Pune (September 23), Mumbai (September 25), Krishnagar (September 30) and New Delhi (October 1), before flying to London for speaking engagements on October 4.

Author of 13 books, four of which are books on Church and burning issues, 82-year old Kaiser speaks with passion and heartfelt concern.

Kaiser’s first ever India visit marking the Year of the Faith (starting 11 October) is coordinated by Fr. Roberge, along with Signis India president (Catholic association for radio, television and cinema) Mr. Sunil Lucas.