Our Bishop
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| Bishop Rt.Rev.Dharmaraj Rasalam |
Rt. Rev. Dharmaraj
Rasalam is consecrated as the bishop of Church of South
India, Bishop of South
Kerala Diocese, on 23 July, 2011 at the Mateer
Memorial Church,
LMS Compound, Thiruvananthapuram. Thirumeni served as the vice-president of the
South Kerala Diocese and Presbyter of the CSI Cathedral. After graduated from
the Kerala University,
he did his BD and M.Th studies in Serampore
Theological College
and United Theological Seminary respectively. He has been involved in doctoral research
in Theology. Rev Rasalam is married to Shirly John, a teacher. The couple has a
daughter Sherin S Rasalam, who is doing her MBBS and a son Shinoy S Rasalam,
who is in Class 11th. Within the short period, bishop has earned
good reputation among the people through his emphasis on spirituality, transparency,
humility, compassionate service to the poor, and bold leadership in the diocese.
DIOCESE
The history of the Protestant Missions in South Kerala
begins with the arrival of William Tobias Ringeltaube on 25
April 1806 at Mylaudy near Cape Comorin. As missionary work
was already started in Tranquebar, a Danish colony,
Ringeltaube travelling in a Danish ship arrived at
Tranquebar, invited by Vedamanikan Maharasan the first
convert from this region. Travancore was then a native state
under British protection ruled by its Maharaja. It was with
great difficulty and largely through the intervention of the
British Resident in Travancore, Colin Macaulay, that
Ringeltaube obtained permission to construct a Church at
Mylaudy. In May 1809 the foundation stone was laid for the
Church. The construction of a modest structure was dedicated
in September that year. The Mylaudy Church was the first
protestant church built in the erstwhile princely state of
Travancore, and it formed the nucleus of the
present South Kerala Dioceses of Kanayakumari and South
Kerala.
The South India United Church (SIUC) was inaugurated on 25 July 1908 at Davidson Street Church, Madras, uniting the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in South India. It consisted of 9 church councils: Travancore, Madurai, Jaffna, North Tamil (Coimbatore), Kanara, Telugu, Madras, Arcot and Malabar. The South Travancore diocese was formed from the South Travancore Church Council when the SIUC united with the Anglican and Methodist Churches to form the CSI in 1947. The Rt. Rev. A. H. Legg, the last LMS missionary stationed here, was consecrated our first bishop at St. George's Cathedral, Madras on 27th September 1947 and his installation in the diocese was held at Trivandrum on 13th October of that year.
In 1959, the diocese was bifurcated into South Kerala and Kanyakumari dioceses, with Rt. Rev. Legg continuing as bishop of South Kerala. The succeeding bishops are:
Rt. Rev. William Paul Vachalan (1967-1972)
Rt. Rev. I. Jesudasan (1973-1990)
Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Amirtham (1990-1997)
Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W. Gladstone (1997-2011)
The South India United Church (SIUC) was inaugurated on 25 July 1908 at Davidson Street Church, Madras, uniting the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in South India. It consisted of 9 church councils: Travancore, Madurai, Jaffna, North Tamil (Coimbatore), Kanara, Telugu, Madras, Arcot and Malabar. The South Travancore diocese was formed from the South Travancore Church Council when the SIUC united with the Anglican and Methodist Churches to form the CSI in 1947. The Rt. Rev. A. H. Legg, the last LMS missionary stationed here, was consecrated our first bishop at St. George's Cathedral, Madras on 27th September 1947 and his installation in the diocese was held at Trivandrum on 13th October of that year.
In 1959, the diocese was bifurcated into South Kerala and Kanyakumari dioceses, with Rt. Rev. Legg continuing as bishop of South Kerala. The succeeding bishops are:
Rt. Rev. William Paul Vachalan (1967-1972)
Rt. Rev. I. Jesudasan (1973-1990)
Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Amirtham (1990-1997)
Rt. Rev. Dr. J. W. Gladstone (1997-2011)
Rt.Rev.Dharmaraj Rasalam(2011-Continuing)
SYNOD
The Church
of South India is the
result of the union of churches of varying traditions Anglican, Methodist,
Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed. It was inaugurated in September
1947, after protracted negotiation among the churches concerned. Organized into
22 dioceses, each under the spiritual supervision of a bishop, the church as a
whole is governed by a synod, which elects a moderator (presiding bishop) every
2 years. Episcopacy is thus combined with Synodical government, and the church
explicitly recognizes that Episcopal, Presbyterian, and congregational elements
are all necessary for the church's life. The Scriptures are the ultimate
standard of faith and practice. The historic creeds are accepted as
interpreting the biblical faith, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's
Supper are recognized as of binding obligation.
Discussions
concerning union had begun at a conference at Tranquebar (now Tarangambadi) in
1919, and in 1947, after India
attained independence, the union was completed. The Church of South India
has its own service book and communion service, both of which draw from several
denominational sources. The union, especially in its reconciliation of the
Anglican doctrine of apostolic succession with the views of other
denominations, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement.
Formation
On 27th September 1947, the General council of Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, General Assembly of South India United Church and South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church joined together to from the CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA as the largest united national church in India. The continued growth has been further enriched with the joining of the churches of Basel Mission and the Anglican Diocese of Nandyal. A unique church was born out of the blending of the Episcopal and non - Episcopal traditions as a gift of God to the people of India and as a visible sign of the ecclesiastical unity for the universal church.
On 27th September 1947, the General council of Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, General Assembly of South India United Church and South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church joined together to from the CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA as the largest united national church in India. The continued growth has been further enriched with the joining of the churches of Basel Mission and the Anglican Diocese of Nandyal. A unique church was born out of the blending of the Episcopal and non - Episcopal traditions as a gift of God to the people of India and as a visible sign of the ecclesiastical unity for the universal church.
Vision
The Church of South India (CSI) affirms that the purpose of the union is to fulfill the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church "That they all may be one, and that the world may believe that you have sent me". And the Church of South India would become an effective instrument of God's mission so there will be greater peace, closer fellowship and fuller life in the Church and a renewed commitment for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.
The Church of South India (CSI) affirms that the purpose of the union is to fulfill the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church "That they all may be one, and that the world may believe that you have sent me". And the Church of South India would become an effective instrument of God's mission so there will be greater peace, closer fellowship and fuller life in the Church and a renewed commitment for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.
Commitment Of The Chruch
Being the largest Protestant church in India, the CSI celebrates her life with Indian culture and spirituality and she also raises her voice for the voiceless on matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the people of India through proclamation of the good news of Jesus; responding to human need through institutional and emergency relief work; through community development projects and skill training programmes for the marginalized and disadvantaged sections of the people and programmes for the integrity of creation. Translating this vision and commitment, the Synod of the Church of South India as the apex body of the church endeavors to encourage, equip and empower her dioceses, congregations and institutions through varied ministries.
Being the largest Protestant church in India, the CSI celebrates her life with Indian culture and spirituality and she also raises her voice for the voiceless on matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the people of India through proclamation of the good news of Jesus; responding to human need through institutional and emergency relief work; through community development projects and skill training programmes for the marginalized and disadvantaged sections of the people and programmes for the integrity of creation. Translating this vision and commitment, the Synod of the Church of South India as the apex body of the church endeavors to encourage, equip and empower her dioceses, congregations and institutions through varied ministries.
The Journey Continues
The CSI is a united and uniting church moving forward with a dynamic vision for The Communion of Churches in India. The Church of South India, the Church of North India and the Mar Thoma Church are already members of this commune of Churches and are venturing into wider ecumenical relations to witness to One Lord Jesus Christ.
The CSI is a united and uniting church moving forward with a dynamic vision for The Communion of Churches in India. The Church of South India, the Church of North India and the Mar Thoma Church are already members of this commune of Churches and are venturing into wider ecumenical relations to witness to One Lord Jesus Christ.