The Future of Episcopacy in the Church of South India

Statement of the Consultation organized by the
People Synod at Vellore, Tamil Nadu, on 17th October, 2015 on the topic “ The
Future of Episcopacy in the Church of South India” A Consultation was organized by the newly launched
People Synod, in cooperation with the Abundant Life Movement, Vellore on 17th
October, 2015 at Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The Consultation was attended by about 100 CSI
members, both clergy and laity, from all the regions of the Church of South
India. 

Background
of the Consultation

It is well recognized now that the CSI is in a
state of deep crisis. Issues relating to transparency and accountability in
administration, autocratic and unresponsive leadership and wide spread
allegations of corruption reported in the media, have begun to exercise the
minds of a large number of members. In the matter of management of movable and immovable
properties of the CSI, supposed to be the responsibility of the Church of South
India Trust Association (CSI TA), a Company registered under the Companies Act,
serious shortcomings have come to the attention of the Ministry of Corporate
Affairs and the Department of Income Tax of the Government of India. The CSI TA
is literally Reeling under investigations and show cause notices for serious
violations of the laws of the land . The threat of an investigation by the
Serious Fraud Investigation Office of the Central Government is looming large.
First Information Reports ( the first step for criminal investigation) have
been filed against several bishops in Police Stations of South India.

The most unfortunate thing is that the Episcopal
leadership not only refuses to acknowledge the crisis and to take remedial
action, but is embarking on a systematic attempt to distort the basic
principles on which the CSI Constitution was framed. While the Governing
Principles found in the CSI Constitution clearly affirmed that the Episcopal,
Presbyteral and Congregational elements are necessary in the life of the Church
in a well balanced manner, an undisguised attempt is made to make the Episcopal
element , represented by the Bishops, more dominant, sidelining the presbyteral
and congregational elements. To give constitutional legitimacy to this
distortion, a set of amendments and byelaws is sought to be thrust on the
people, vigorously pushed through by the Bishops led by the Moderator himself
to get the ratification of the Diocesan Councils. Alarmed by this development
and considering the protests that have emanated from various quarters, the
Consultation was called to consider the future of episcopacy in the CSI.

Discussion

The participants listened to various speakers who
analyzed the dangerous implications of the new amendments and byelaws, updated
the present state of affairs on the attempts to expose the maladministration
and corruption in the affairs of the CSI TA and the role of the People Synod in
organizing groups of people to coordinate the protests of the people against
the present dangerous trends in all aspects of the life of the Church. Members
shared their experience of the autocratic and undemocratic functioning of the Bishops
stifling the voices of the clergy and laity. The principles on which the CSI
was formed as stated in the Basis of the Union, later incorporated in the
Chapter on the Governing Principles of the Church were reviewed.
The role of the Bishops, Elders and Pastors in the administration of the early
Church and their equivalence and differences were considered. The fact that the
CSI Constitution is unregistered making it difficult for people to legally
challenge ongoing constitutional violations was highlighted.. After a detailed
discussion, the Consultation came to certain conclusions.

Conclusions

1. There
   is indeed a deliberate attempt to make the CSI fully Episcopal with the vested
   interest of centralizing power and authority in Bishops for personal gains, eclipsing
   the presbyteral and congregational elements.


2. The
   historic Episcopate in a Constitutional form accepted by the Uniting Churches
   for the sake of Unity is being distorted beyond recognition. Instead of the
   Bishops performing spiritual oversight while presiding over the diocesan council,
   bulk of the administrative responsibilities have been taken over by them.


3. The
   usurpation of powers by the Bishops coupled with the practice of issuing Power
   of attorney to the Bishops is the underlying cause for widespread corruption.


4. The
   new amendments and byelaws should be rejected out of hand as they go against
   the pledge that was given at the time of Union that a) the United Church does
   not mandate any particular interpretation of Episcopacy and no such particular
   interpretation shall be demanded from any minister or member ,b) the CSI needs
   the heritage of each of the Uniting Churches(Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian
   and Congregational) and each of those Churches will not lose the continuity of
   its own life but preserve that life enriched by the union with other traditions
   and c) that there will not be absorption of anyone of the traditions by the
   other traditions.

In the light of the discussions and the conclusions
arrived at, the following Resolutions were passed.

Resolutions

Resolved

1. That
   the People Synod should support and coordinate the resistance that is being shown
   in different parts of the CSI against the dangerous trend that is emerging in the
   CSI as stated above;


2. That
   we whole heartedly support the attempts that are being made by Associations like
   the CSI TA Beneficiaries Association and individuals to expose the maladministration
   of the CSI TA and to seek the assistance of Statutory bodies to set right the
   affairs of the CSI TA in accordance with Companies Act 2013 and to bring to
   book the perpetrators of corrupt actions (Nehemiah needed the help of a non-Jewish
   King to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem)


3. That
   the People Synod should take the initiative , on behalf of the People of God, to
   prepare a complete and comprehensive new Constitution in the form of a Scheme
   for administration and governance of the CSI reflecting both the intentions of
   the original founders of the CSI and the hopes and aspirations of the present
   members of the Church.


4. That
   Partner Churches who are representatives of the Churches involved in the Union
   negotiations be apprised of these developments and the compelling circumstances
   which are forcing the people to take this step and seek their counsel.


5. That
   in pursuance of Resolution 3, a process of consultation with all stakeholders be
   expeditiously started.


6. That
   once such a Constitution/Scheme is ready, it may be placed before the people for
   their acceptance and support and the People Synod should explore ways and means
   of the possibility of getting legal status for it through registration under appropriate
   law of the land.

Dr. R. Jayakaran Isaac

11/1, Church Colony

Viruthampet, Vellore 632 006

Tamil Nadu, India Tamil Nadu, India

+ 91 94432 49422

Rev. Jacob Belly

31, Kandasamy Street

Kaundampalayam, Coimbatore 641 030

Tamil Nadu, India

+91 94432 13836

For and on behalf of the People Synod.