Church of South India
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox Christian denomination Template:Christianity in India sidebar The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of a number of Protestant denominations in South India that occurred after the independence of India.<ref name="WMC2020"/><ref>Author:Sushil Mittal, Gene Thursby -Religions of South Asia: An Introduction</ref> With a membership of over 4.5 million,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it is the second-largest Christian church based on the number of members in India.
The Church of South India is the successor of a number of Protestant denominations in India, including the four southern dioceses of the Church of India, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican), the South India United Church (Congregationalist, Presbyterian and Continental Reformed), and the southern district of the Methodist Church.<ref name="Shelley2013">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="oikoumene.org">Template:Cite web</ref>
The Church of South India is a member of the Anglican Communion, World Methodist Council and World Communion of Reformed Churches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="WMC2020">Template:Cite web</ref> It is one of four united Protestant churches in the Anglican Communion, World Methodist Council and World Communion of Reformed Churches, with the others being the Church of North India, the Church of Pakistan, and the Church of Bangladesh.
Being a United Protestant denomination, the inspiration for the Church of South India came from ecumenism and the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of John (17.21); as such "That they all may be one" is the motto of the Church of South India.<ref name="About CSI">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Origins
Four different church traditions were brought together in the CSI: Anglican, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Methodist. All these churches had been established in India through the missionary work of churches in Europe, America, and Australia, which had started their work in India at different periods from the beginning of the 18th century.
The Church of South India Scheme was the first practical attempt of its kind toward a union, on the basis of the following points enunciated in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral:
- The Holy Scripture of the Old and the New Testaments as containing all things necessary to salvation and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
- The Apostles' Creed as the Baptismal Symbol and the Nicene Creed as sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
- The two sacraments, ordained by Christ Himself — Baptism and the Supper of the Lord — ministered with the unfailing use of Christ's words of Institution and elements ordained by Him.
- The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying need of the nations and people called of God into the union of His Church.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The first three points could be accepted without any controversial question. But the fourth became contentious, as the Anglican Church maintained episcopal polity within the historical episcopate and believed that all its bishops and priests could trace an unbroken line of succession from St. Peter; whereas the rest of the churches in the negotiations conformed to other ecclesiastical polities and did not subscribe to the Anglican views on apostolic succession. After extensive dialogues, an agreement was reached that all who were already ordained in any of the uniting churches would be received as ministers in the united Church; provided all new ordinations after the union, would be conferred by episcopally ordained bishops of the united Church, with the imposition of hands. The intention was to introduce an episcopate in historic succession (from Anglicanism) into the new united Church and to ensure its maintenance in the future, by keeping all subsequent ordinations episcopal.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Church of South India as it exists today came into being with the perseverance and committed efforts of Rev. Vedam Santiago,Template:Citation needed who for a long period of time took leadership of the SIUC, the South Indian United Churches, which later, with the joint efforts of Rev. V SantiagoTemplate:Citation needed and Bishop Azariah became the Church of South India.
Formation
The Church of South India union ceremony happened at St George's Cathedral in Madras on 27 September 1947, a month after India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom. It was formed from the union of the SIUC, (South India United Church itself a union of churches from the Congregational, Presbyterian and Reformed traditions); the southern provinces of the (Anglican) Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon; and the Methodist Church of South India.<ref name="anglicancommunion.org">Template:Cite web</ref> The inaugural service was presided by Bishop Rt. Rev. C. K. Jacob, of the Anglican diocese of Travancore and Cochin.<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration">Template:Cite journal</ref> As part of it, nine new bishops, drawn from all the traditions, were consecrated to serve with five Anglican bishops already in the office.<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" /> Each new bishop was ordained with the imposition of hands by the presiding bishop, along with two more Anglican bishops (Rt. Rev. Michael Hollis and Rt. Rev. George Selwyn) and six presbyters from the uniting Churches, also laying hands.<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" /> This reconciliation of the Anglican views with those of the other uniting denominations, on the doctrine of apostolic succession, realized in the formation of the Church of South India, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" />
Logo
The logo of the Church of South India consists of a Cross superimposed on a stylized Lotus flower depicting split tongue for Holy Spirit in a white backdrop; around which the motto and name of the Church, is embossed.<ref name="CSI SYNOD">Template:Cite web</ref> It was designed by J. Vasanthan of the American College, Madurai.
The imposing central position of the Cross denotes the foundation of the Church and its faith, while its four arms of the same length promulgates equality. The Lotus flower, called Pankaj meaning "mud-born" in Sanskrit, has been of great spiritual and symbolic significance in India, since ancient times.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its placement in the Logo, proclaims the indigenous nature of the Church of South India and its dependence on the grace of God, just as a Lotus that blooms at sunrise and closes at sunset, depends on the Sun. The stylized rendering, makes the Lotus petals simultaneously depict the fiery split tongues of the Holy Spirit. The motto of the CSI embossed on the logo, which is an excerpt of Jesus's prayer in John 17:21, is used as an inclusive affirmation of the need for the unity of all people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="CSI SYNOD"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Beliefs and practices
The Church of South India is a Trinitarian Church that draws from the traditions and heritage of its constituent denominations. The Church accepts the Chalcedonian Christological Definition,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. Both creeds are included in the Church liturgy as the profession of faith.<ref name="Beliefs and Practices">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Church practices infant baptism for children born in Christian homes and adult or believer's baptism for others. Baptized children are members of the church and share in the privileges and obligations of membership so far as they are capable of doing so.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Church of South India practices the rite of Confirmation, by which the confirmands (those being confirmed) upon profession of their Christian faith, obtain confirmation of their baptisms and thereafter, get to partake fully in the privileges and obligations associated with Church membership. Secondarily, this is also a coming of age ceremony. Confirmation is almost always administered by a Bishop with the imposition of hands and occasionally by a Presbyter who is authorized to confirm.<ref name="Beliefs and Practices"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Capital punishment
The Church of South India opposes the death penalty.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Women's ordination
The CSI recommended the ordination of women to the priesthood in 1972.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since 1984, the CSI has ordained women to the priesthood.<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011" /> In 2013, the CSI consecrated its first female bishop, Eggoni Pushpalalitha.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Church of South India, since 1984, has allowed women's ordination.<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011"/> Additionally, "it has taken up issues of gender, dalits and landlessness."<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
LGBTQIA+ Ordination and Beliefs
Many dioceses of the CSI church have confirmed that transgender persons may be ordained as clergy.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> On transgender issues, the Diocese of Madras has a ministry specifically for transgender people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, the denomination invited a transgender pastor to preach.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2016, a seminary affiliated with the CSI offered a seminar on LGBT issues. "The Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in Madurai held a two-hour seminar on gender and sexuality..."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bishops and other clergy have supported LGBTQ inclusion through the church's publication, CSI Life.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The National Council of Churches in India, of which the CSI is a member, supported the legalization of consensual same-sex relationships in India.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2015, St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore hosted an event, co-led by the Rev. Vincent Rajkumar, aimed at denouncing homophobia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> CSI clergy, working with the National Council of Churches in India also co-led a consultation speaking out against homophobia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) listed the Church of South India as being among the Anglican provinces open to blessing same-sex couples.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Liturgy
The CSI Synod Liturgical Congress has developed several new orders for worship for different occasions.<ref name="csimichigan.org">Template:Cite web</ref> The order for the Communion service, known as the CSI Liturgy, has been internationally acclaimed as an important model for new liturgies. The committee has also produced three different cycles of lectionaries for daily Bible readings and "propers", and collects for Communion services. In addition, the committee has also brought out a supplement to the Book of Common Worship.<ref name="csimichigan.org"/> Cherishing the reformation principle of worship in the native language, the CSI liturgy and church services are completely in the vernacular, in all the different South Indian states and Northern Sri Lanka, which comprise its ecclesiastical province.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Observances and festivals
The important observances and festivals include Lent (including its first day, Ash Wednesday), Passion Week, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Thursday, Pentecost, Lammas and Christmas.<ref name="Denominations 1">Template:Cite book</ref>
Constitution
The Constitution of the CSI is the key document that governs the administration and management of the church. It comprises 14 chapters detailing rules for the functioning of the Church at every level, from local congregations to the pastorate, dioceses and the Synod.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The most important part of the CSI Constitution is "The Governing Principles of the Church" which sets out 21 governing principles on which the other chapters of the Constitution and the rules contained therein rest. While amending any part of the Constitution can be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Synod, amending the Governing Principles requires a three-fourths majority.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Ecumenism
As a united Protestant Church, the Church of South Indian is a member of the World Methodist Council, as well as the World Communion of Reformed Churches; as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion its bishops participate in the Lambeth Conferences.<ref name="WMC2020"/> It also has representation in the Anglican Consultative Council.<ref name="WMC2020"/> Consequently, the CSI is in full communion with the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and the Philippine Independent Catholic Church.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is a member of the World Council of Churches, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Christian Conference of Asia and the National Council of Churches in India. Through the Communion of Churches in India, it is also in partnership and full communion with the Church of North India and the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
The Church of South India maintains close partnerships with the Church of Scotland, Episcopal Church of the United States, Methodist Church of Great Britain, Presbyterian Church in Korea, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, Presbyterian Church of India, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, United Church of Christ and the Uniting Church in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Administration
The church accepts the Lambeth Quadrilateral as its basis and recognises the historical episcopate in its constitutional form.<ref name="WCC-CSI">Template:Cite web</ref> Like Anglican and most other episcopal Churches, the ministry of the Church of South India is structured with three holy orders of bishops, priests and deacons.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Synod
Template:Main The church is governed by a synod based in Chennai and headed by a presiding bishop bearing the title of Moderator, who is elected every three years. The officers were elected for a three-year term at the Synod meeting. The present officers of the synod are The Rt. Rev. K. Reuben Mark, Deputy Moderator & Moderator in-charge, CSI, Adv. C. Fernandas Rathina Raja, General Secretary, CSI, B. Vimal Sukumar, Hon.Treasurer, CSI.
The church runs 2,300 schools, 150 colleges and 104 hospitals in South India. In the 1960s the church became conscious of its social responsibility and started organising rural development projects. There are 50 such projects all over India, 50 training centres for young people and 600 residential hostels for a total of 50,000 children.<ref name="About CSI"/>
Dioceses
The church is further divided into twenty-six dioceses, each under the supervision of a bishop, including one diocese encompassing Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The dioceses are governed by diocesan councils composed of all clergy in the diocese as well as lay people elected from the local congregations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Each church will have representation in diocesan council based on their membership. The diocese is headed by the Bishop, who is a presbyter elected through the Diocesan Council. He is considered as the head of the diocese and all the institutions belonging to the diocese. Other than the Bishop, the following are the important administrative posts of each diocese:
- Clergy Secretary: Manages all the activities of the pastoral & evangelical workers in the diocese
- Lay Secretary: Manages all the lay workers' activities in the diocese
- Educational Secretary: Manages all educational institutions and the workers of those institutions
- Diocesan Treasurer: Manages all the income and expenditures of the diocese.
The Diocesan Council also consists of Diocesan Executive Committee, Diocesan Standing Committee, and Pastorate Committee.
Affiliations
Theological education
The church recognizes theological degrees granted by institutions affiliated with the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College. These include:
- Kerala United Theological Seminary (KUTS), Trivandrum, Kerala
- Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College (MBCBC), Shamshabad, Telangana
- Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC), Hyderabad, Telangana
- Bethel Bible College (BBC), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute (GLTCRI), Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS), Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Union Biblical Seminary (UBS), Pune, Maharashtra
- United Theological College, Bangalore (UTC), Karnataka
- South Asia Theological Research Institute (SATHRI), Bangalore, Karnataka
- Karnataka Theological College (KTC), Mangalore, Karnataka
- Bishops College (BC), Calcutta, West Bengal
- Serampore College (SC), Serampore, West Bengal
See also
- Anglican Communion
- Church of North India
- Christianity in India
- Christianity in Kerala
- Christianity in Tamil Nadu
- Christianity in Karnataka
- Telugu Christian
- St. Thomas Christians
References
External links
- CSI Synod Template:Webarchive
- Church of South India, General Secretary
- Church of South India, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Church of South India, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Church of South India, Karnataka Central Diocese, India
- Church of South India, Diocese of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
- Final Action on the Church of South India by General Convention 1958 Template:Webarchive
- CSI Madhyakerala Diocese Website
Template:Anglican Churches Template:Christianity in Sri Lanka Template:Churches in India Template:Dioceses in the Church of South India Template:Authority control
- Pages with broken file links
- Church of South India
- Anglican Communion church bodies
- Members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
- Protestantism in India
- Christian denominations established in the 20th century
- Christianity in Tamil Nadu
- Christianity in Telangana
- Members of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
- Members of the World Council of Churches
- Christian organizations established in 1947
- Thoothukudi
- 1947 establishments in India
- Affiliated institutions of the National Council of Churches in India
- Anglicanism in Sri Lanka
- Affirming Christian denominations in Asia