Former Regional Coordinator for URI-Asia: Pakistan
Fr James is a Pakistani Christian and a Catholic priest. He is URI Regional Coordinator Pakistan and Executive Director of Peace Center, Lahore. He was appointed by Pope John Paul II to work with the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims for 5 years and as Consultant to the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue for 10 years. Fr Channan attended the Pontifical Institute for Islamic Studies and Arabic language in Rome from 1982-85 and obtained a Licentiate Degree. He also got Masters Degree in Counseling from Emmanuel College, Boston, USA, received graduate credits from Harvard University, USA and a course on Peace Building from the American University, Washington, DC, USA. He got Honorary “Doctor of Divinity” Degree from Norway. He served as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Christian Muslim Relations for 17 years. He was the organizer of the URI's 1,500 Miles Journey for Peace (Karachi to Khyber). He is the author of 4 books: 2 in English and 2 in Urdu. He has devoted his life to promoting dialogue among religions.
