CHRIST centered(CCC)News Letter-03.08.2011

CHRIST Centered Campaign (CCC) Newsletter No 33. August 3, 2011

In This Issue










* A farce called the Synod Court














* CSITA declares CSI members “strangers”














* Fallout from failed 4B deal continues in Nandyal

A farce called the Synod Court:-

Justice, as the well known saying goes, should not only be done, but should be seen to be done. Unfortunately this adage means little to CSI bishops, who well and truly are a law unto themselves. Which is probably why the five bishops in the Synod Court hearing grave charges against one of their own, Bishop Manickam Dorai of Coimbatore, saw nothing wrong in seating the accused alongside them. This even while they were hearing Coimbatore diocesan officials give evidence against the accused (see CCC Newsletter No 29 for summary of Synod chargesheet against Dorai). It should be elementary knowledge that a prosecution witness deposing in a trial would feel tremendous pressure against speaking the truth if he/she were to see the accused seated right alongside the judges themselves. In a sense, the bishop judges, many of whom also have criminal illegalities against their name, were sending a clear message to the witnesses: we don't want to know the truth!














Some CSI activists who gatecrashed the court hearing at the Synod office in Chennai on 27th & 28th July 2011 vociferously objected to the accused being seated alongside the judges in the court headed by Deputy Moderator G. Devakadasham. They were aghast that Bishop Dorai, the accused, was even allowed from his perch alongside the judges to question the witnesses as they were giving testimony. The court scene was well and truly representative of what the Bible says in Isaiah 59:14 “And judgement is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”














The CCC would like to thank Dr Julius Daniel, General Secretary of the Coimbatore-based Church of South India People’s Welfare Centre and its Salem Area Secretary V.C Ravi Chandran for gatecrashing the Synod hearings and exposing the farce being enacted there. When Devakadasham, who was in the chair, objected to their uninvited entry into the court hall, Chandran told him bluntly he was there as an employer to check if his employees were working as they should be. “It is my contribution to the Church that helps pay your salary” Chandran reminded the deputy moderator. The CCC also commends Rev.Stanley Kumar, CSI Area Chairman for Salem for his bold deposition and Geetha Kennedy, the principal of the CSI Polytechnic in Salem for the quiet and effective manner in which she gave her evidence against Dorai. Dr Julius Daniel has now written to the Deputy Moderator in a letter dated 1st August 2011 for permission to have the People’s Welfare Centre produce its own evidence against Dorai at the next court hearing scheduled for 5th August. THE CCC URGES ALL CSI MEMBERS WHO CAN MAKE IT TO THE SYNOD OFFICE IN CHENNAI FOR THE HEARING ON 5TH AUGUST TO DO SO AND THEREBY DEMONSTRATE THE LAITY’S COMMITMENT TO SEEING THAT JUSTICE IS NOT SUBVERTED. Dr Julius Daniel can be contacted at (0)9944028590 for further information.

CSITA declares CSI members “strangers” ????:-

Who are the real owners of the CSI Trust Association (CSITA) the apex body that controls over Rs one lakh crore worth of CSI property? This question has assumed importance following a letter written by the CSITA Hon. Secretary and General Secretary of the CSI, M.M. Philip, to the Registrar of Companies (RoC). The missive followed the RoC directing the CSITA to respond to a complaint by John Dorai, General Secretary of the CSITA Beneficiaries Association, a lay group, that the Articles of Association of the CSITA were not consistent with the provisions of the Companies Act under which the body is registered. The letter from the CSITA Hon. Secretary is attached here as Annexures 1.0 and 1.1.














In his letter to the RoC, M.M. Philip, says “the complainant Mr John. S. Dorai is not a member of CSITA and is a stranger and as such any representation by a stranger is void u/s 234 (7) of the Companies Act. Therefore Mr John S. Dorai cannot said (sic) to have any interest in our section 25 company….. We therefore request you to kindly treat the investors complaint does not carry any substance and needs to be brush aside and needs to be disposed off without any merit for the complaint (sic)” Mr Philip is supposed to be a qualified architect but his grammar would be embarrassing even for a middle school student. That apart, virtually acknowledging Mr Dorai to be an “investor” while at the same time declaring him to be a “stranger” only demonstrates Mr Philip’s rank incompetence and unsuitability for the high posts he holds.














In a rejoinder sent to the RoC on 30th July 2011 (see Annexure 2.0), Mr Dorai has reiterated his fundamental charge that the office bearers of the CSITA are not elected in keeping with the provisions of the Companies Act and hence their functioning is illegal. He further points out that the four ex-officio heads of the CSITA are themselves there in their capacity as the main office bearers of an unincorporated body (the CSI is not a registered entity) and hence are in no position to deem him, a fee paying member of the church, to be a “stranger” to the CSITA. Mr Dorai has asked the RoC to adjudicate the dispute. In any case, there is nothing to stop the RoC from acting on its own on the basic issue -- of whether the Articles of Association of the CSITA are in consonance with the provisions of the Companies Act -- should it choose to do so.














In an explanatory e-mail note sent to CSI members, John Dorai writes: “The properties of the CSI is vested in CSITA for the benefit of the members of CSI like us present and future. If the claim of the CSITA that CSI members are strangers is agreeable, then the CSI or its members for whose benefit the properties are vested in CSITA will be barred from saying anything when the CSITA administers our properties detrimental to the interest of its beneficiaries. This would be a clear “breach of trust” committed by the CSITA. Though we are not members in the company board, we are yet beneficiaries and interested parties in the affairs of the CSITA.”

Fallout from 4B deal continues in Nandyal :-

The reverberations caused by successful effort to cancel the illegal deal between Bishop P.J. Lawrence of Nandyal and 4B Healthcare Pvt Ltd with regard to the mission hospital in Nandyal continue. Following the Bishop’s illegal sacking of the Diocesan Secretary L. Sudhakar and Vice-President Dr P.A. Varaprasada Rao (both elected officials who as per the constitution cannot be replaced during their term unless they choose to leave office) for their strong opposition to the 4B deal, there has been more court action. The illegal circular issued by the new illegally appointed secretary of the diocese setting in motion the process for diocesan elections for the biennium 2011-2013 has now been stayed. The copy of the interim injunction granted is shown here in Annexure 3.0. It is likely that an administrative committee will be set up to manage the affairs of the diocese when the term of the current diocesan council expires in a few months. Analysts say this arrangement may actually be what the autocratic Bishop Lawrence wants as he can now run the show unhindered by any democratic oversight till he demits office late next year. Meanwhile 4 B has finally removed the “4B St. Werburgh CSI Hospital” from its website where the link to “our hospitals” (notice the plural) now features only one hospital where there used to be two listed http://4bhealthcare.org/our-hospitals/

THE CHURCH,ITS CALLING AND MISSION

The church, its calling and mission

By Rev. Dr. E. C. John

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you”
(John 20:21).

A little over sixty years ago, the Rev.David Chellappa, then Principal of St. Paul’s High School, Bepery, later Bishop in Madras, addressed a Youth Conference at Pallam near Kottayam, attended mostly by mission – oriented college students. His theme was ‘We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church’. We felt enlightened and motivated to serve the church and the nation. We were full of hope, longing the dawn of our national independence.

Another inspiring speaker was John Doraisamy, the Secretary of the National Missionary Society, who enlarged our vision of the Nation and the need to dedicate ourselves for God’s mission in our country. Similar events were happening in those days in other churches in Kerala and at the SCM conferences. As a result, several young men and women dedicated themselves for service in Kerala or in other parts of our country. This generation has almost died out.

Some months ago, a much respected educationalist told me “I want to withdraw from the CSI”. I said, “but where shall we go?” Two other prominent educationalists felt the same way. Two friends, generous supporters of the College and who had held responsible positions in the local CSI parish, had left the CSI and joined another Church, I learnt, when I visited them after my return from teaching in Germany. I asked one of them, why did you leave the CSI?  “O! Our pastor has only time to talk about the election for a new bishop and about his chances of becoming the bishop. We were fed up.”  The other also left due to the ‘church politics’. A young couple who had come to Bangalore from another State and joined a CSI congregation left it for another for more friendly and warm fellowship. This catalogue can be continued. Each of you, present here, may have his/her catalogue to narrate.

I begin my presentation with the affirmation of faith, “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church” and also affirm that, the Church of South India is part of it. There are many, many lay members in our Church, some clergy as well, who believe so, and seek to fulfill the commission of the risen Lord, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you”. This means in essence, to become a disciple of the risen Lord.

In view of certain disturbing happenings in the CSI in the past, contrary to this mission of God, it is urgent that we reflect both on the past with deep sorrow, and a sense of collective guilt, and look to the future with the will to reform both ourselves and the Church.

As we look to the future, as members of the Church of South India, there are a few glaring defects which need correction. The Church should examine its election procedure at all levels, from the local level (pastorate, institutions) to the diocesan and synod levels. A beginning was made by the Theological Commission 1986-88 and presented at the 1988 synod. But it has not been followed up though it was referred for further study. As for the synod level elections especially for positions as Moderator, Deputy Moderator, Secretary and Treasurer, what is happening now is not at all satisfactory.

Panels are prepared and candidates or their agents make their rounds of visits to canvass – which in itself would have meant a disqualification in the past, perhaps offer also handsome gifts to make the delegates vote according to their proposals. The Bishop may play a decisive role in persuading the delegates to vote according to his suggestion. He would thus be preventing a free and fair election. How can delegates exercise their votes responsibly and consciously when they do not really know the nominated candidates?  Election of Bishops during the last two decades, at least in some cases, involved bribery and other corrupt practices. Huge gifts of money have been given, it is alleged. A code of conduct has to be worked out, as for example, in the Orthodox Syrian Church.

At the Seminar of the ‘Re-thinking’ group Oct. 1, 2, 2009, Rev. Dr. K.C. Abraham drew our attention to the “exercise of power and authority in the Church”. The power and authority may be exercised in a patronizing or feudal manner or according to the deals made prior to the Bishop’s election or unilaterally with favours granted to certain persons (e.g. transfers, appointments, foreign placements, study leave etc.) or ‘punishments’ (e.g. inconvenient transfers). He said that a critical assessment of the function and exercise of Episcopal ministry and authority, the role of the committees with whose counsel the Bishop is to take decisions is an urgent need. Have we departed from the CSI’s vision of Episcopacy?

Faithfulness and accountability in the use of church money and facilities is a must for clergy and bishops e.g. use of phone, car etc. for personal needs. In 1 Tim. 3, in the list of qualifications for the Bishop it is said that he should not be a lover of money. In the early church the bishops kept the money for the regular weekly distribution for the poor and hence this clause. In any case, in view of what is talked about the assets of some of the bishops, it would be a good gesture, for the bishops both before their consecration as Bishops and before their retirement, to declare their assets and those of the family members.

Those who were directly or indirectly parties in the administration of tsunami funds should not be considered for election for officers at the Synod level. The administration of finance at the Synod and Diocesan levels should be scrutinized by impartial auditors and any irregularities should be rectified. Proper guidelines should be followed in every department with regard to the administration of finance.

There have been glaring instances of nepotism. It would be a good example if immediate relatives of the Bishops and clergy are not appointed to positions in the dioceses, unless after due advertisement they also go through proper, impartial selection procedure. Should a bishop be the manager of all the diocesan institutions? Or is it not enough if he is a member of the management committee.

If and when a property of the church/mission or institution needs to be sold, it should be done only after proper consultation and advertisement, and then sold only on a competitive basis in the open market. It will be good to remember that the former mission properties were acquired by the free gifts of overseas’ mission friends and by mission friends in our own country for Christian missionary work. Some of the church properties were granted by the ecclesiastical department of British Government in India for the sole purpose of Christian worship. In the past some prime properties were sold privately to interested parties.

We have many devout lay people who do not wish to take any part in ‘church politics’ but wish to have the spiritual ‘uplifting’ experience of worship, strengthen fellowship with one another, hear meaningful sermons and meet friends. They give for what they think are worthy causes. Some are disappointed or join other churches or fellowship groups as already mentioned. Lack of proper pastoral care and visits is much lamented. Are theological colleges and Bishops giving guidance to the candidates for ordination and clergy? Does our common life in the Body of Christ show signs of a mutually caring fellowship (koinonia)?

Together with all our people, lay and clergy (including bishops) we need to reflect a new what the churches’ apostolic function (being sent into the world) to the society, nation and to the earth actually is.

I recall an address by Bishop John Robinson, the author of In the End God, The Body, Honest to God etc., at a retreat for Ordinands in Cambridge in which he emphasized that to be a minister of the Gospel is a high calling. He said, we must hold a very high view of the ministry. But this should not spill into our persons and make us feel puffed up, arrogant or swollen-headed. We are only servants. The awareness of the Risen Lord’s commission as those sent into the world should be the motivation for us all.

The Author is Rev. Dr. E. C. John, former principal of the United Theological College, Bangalore is a pastor of the Church of South India and an acclaimed Old Testament Scholar and Theologian. He lives a retired life in Bangalore.                                                                                              courtesy-savecsi

NEW MANAGER FOR CSI NORTH KERALA UNAIDED SCHOOLS

REV.JOY ALEX

Rev.JOY ALEX  the present Chairman of CSI Church,Puthiyangadi,Calicut has been appointed as the Manager for the unaided schools under CSI North Kerala Diocese.


Rev.Joy Alex is a native of Melparamba,PALAKKAD and became an ordained priest in CSI  North Kerala Diocese in the year 2005.


His wife Mrs.Praveena Joy is a teacher and daughter's name is Neha Hanna.

NEW MANAGER FOR CSI NORTH KERALA CORPORATE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT

Rev.VINOD ALLEN

Rev. Vinod Allen was born on 16^th August 1965 at Codacal. He is the son of Late Rev. R. G. Allen and Joyce Allen. He is son-in-law of Late Rev. P. J. Gilbert and Sosamma Gilbert. His wife Sajimol is a teacher at BEMGirls’ H. S. School, Calicut. His daughter Anjana Joyce is doing her Engineering studies at MES College of Engineering and his Son Thushar Reginold is student of IV standard. He studied in different schools and Malabar Christian College, Calicut.

In the year 1984 he made a decision to enter into the Christian ministry after attending a Jesus Calls Good News Campaign at Cochin. In 1985 he started his Biblical studies at New Delhi. He took his preliminary theological degree (B. Th.) from South India Biblical Seminary, Bangarpet. Then he completed B. D. degree from Kerala United Theological Seminary, Thiruvananthapuram. He did his masters (M. Th.) in History of Christianity at United Theological College, Bangalore. He also submitted a thesis on “The Contributions of the Basel Evangelical Mission’s Educational Work to Malabar Society, 1839-1914” as a partial fulfillment of the requirements toward the degree of Master of Theology. He has been working on a thesis: A SOCIO- HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE BASEL (GERMAN) EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY’S PERCEPTION OF MISSION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR WORK IN THE MALABAR (1839-1914) under Bishop Dr John Wilson Gladstone at Serampore University. He has written a few articles on the history of missionary work in Malabar. There are three unpublished research papers on Protestant Missionary work in India to his credit as well. Visited Basel Mission Archives - Now Mission 21 Archives - Basel (Switzerland) for a short period and also visited the Head Quarters of the World Council of Churches, Geneva.

He joined the North Kerala Diocese as Church worker in 1989 and worked in Kondotty and Kalpetta. He was ordained as a deacon in 1991 at CSI Cathedral, Calicut and a presbyter in 1992 at All Saints CSI Church, Trichur by The Rt Rev. Dr P. G. Kuruvilla, then Bishop in CSI North Kerala Diocese. He served as Assistant Pastor at CSI Cathedral, Calicut, Pastor in Palakkad Robinson, Kannur Hebich’s, Chakkittapara, Puthiyara, Calicut Hermann Gundert and now working at Chovva (Kannur). He represented the North Kerala Diocese in the CSI Golden Jubilee Celebration Central Committee at CSI Synod. He was also a member of the CSI synod. He has written “A brief history of North Kerala Diocese” in History of Church of South India for Fifty Years edited by Bishop Dr.Gladstone.

During his 22 years of service in the Diocese he was able to accomplish certain remarkable tasks. He could work towards upgrading three congregations to Pastorates (Kalpetta, Talap, and Calicut Herman Gundert). He could also complete the construction work of two Churches (Kondotty and Robinson church, Palakkad).

During the calendar year 2006 he served as Corporate Manager for CSI Schools in Malabar and Waynad.

He serves as the Academic Dean, School of Ministry (A Training Programme for the Church Workers in the Diocese) Shoranur and teaches history of Christianity. At present he is a member of the Diocesan Executive Committee and also a member of its working committee.

NEW MANAGER FOR MALABAR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE,CALICUT

Prof.JAYAPRAKASH RAGHAVIAH

Prof. Jayaprakash Raghaviah has assumed charge as Manager of the Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode. Prof. Raghaviah brings with him a rich blend of administrative and academic experience. He is an alumni of Malabar Christian College. Starting his career as Lecturer, Department of Economics, Malabar Christian College, he soon joined the State Bank of India as Probationary Officer and held many staff and line assignments in various parts of the country. He later moved to the academic field and was Associate Professor, at the Indian Institute of Bank Management, Guwahati, Assam, Professor, Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Thrissur and Associate Programme Coordinator, Centre of Research and Education for Social Transformation, Kozhikode. At present he is completing his tenure as Senior Research Fellow, Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi and is affiliated to the Kannur University. Prof. Raghaviah is also author of a book on Basel Mission Industries besides several articles on banking, finance and economic and social history of Kerala.

He is a member of CSI Cathedral church,Calicut and  also a member of  CSI North kerala Diocesan  Council