In a remarkable interfaith gesture, two well known Hindu and Roman Catholic religious leaders met in Stockton (California, USA) on July 24 and discussed various issues, including interfaith dialogue.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed and Chancellor of Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton Sister Barbara Thiella met at the Diocese headquarters in downtown Stockton and broadly concluded that dialogue brought us mutual enrichment and helped create harmony in the communities.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, presented a copy of Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), ancient Hindu scripture, to Chancellor Thiella on the occasion.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton comprises of California counties of San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Alpine, and Mono covering 10,023 square miles and about 250,000 followers served by 92 priests. Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire is the Bishop.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.