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Trichy-Tanjore Diocese of the Church of South India

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The Church of South India - Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur Diocese

The CSI Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur Diocese (CSI Trichy Tanjore Diocese) was one of the first 14 Dioceses to be formed at the inaugural of the Church of South India in 1947. This is headed by the Church of South India Synod. The Diocese spreads over the Nagapattinam District, Tiruvarur District, Thanjavur District, Tiruchirappalli District, a part of Perambalur District, Karur District, a part of Tirupur district, a part of Coimbatore District, a part of Cuddalore District,a part of Pudukottai District,a part of Ariyalur District and part of Pondicherry state (Karaikal). For administration purposes the Diocese is subdivided into six District Church Councils(DCC) - Thanjavur DCC, Tiruchirappalli DCC, Perambalur DCC, Karur DCC, Dharapuram DCC and the Anaimalai Hills DCC. The Diocese now has a membership of 88,831 and the mission in the Diocese is carried through 100+ ordained Pastors and a Bishop. The Diocese has partnership with Leicester in The United Kingdom. Empowerment of women and dalits is the main thrust of this Diocese.

The Church of England

The Anglican presence in India dates back four hundred years ago to 1600, when Queen Elizabeth I was still on the throne of England. From that time until within living memory British chaplains and missionaries arrived in ever-increasing numbers, and were the first to minister to the expatriate British community, and later to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Indian people themselves.

The Diocese of Calcutta was promulgated in 1814; its territory included not only India but also those countries known today as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar) and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and also from 1824 to 1836, Australia as well. With the foundation of the Diocese of Madras in 1835 (mostly the current Church of South India including Ceylon and south east Asia) and the Diocese of Bombay in 1837 the Indian Church was formed into a Province, with the Bishop of Calcutta being Metropolitan ex officio.

For the next ninety years, that is until 1927, the Church of India was a Province of the Church of England, under the authority of the Crown and the British Parliament.

On the 22nd of December 1927, The Parliament of England passed an enactment known as the Indian Church Act of 1927. The Indian Church Act, 1927 (17&18 Geo.5, CH.40) makes the provision incidental to and consequential on the dissolution of the legal union between the Church of England and the Church of England in India, and the Church of England in Ceylon. By means of the Indian Church Act 1927 the Province of The Church of India, Burma and Ceylon came under the administration of Indian Church Act of 1927. Hence in 1927 a new, independent Church was formed - the Church of India, Burma and Ceylon. Until 1927 the Province of India was the 3rd Province of the Church of England with its Metropolitical establishment at Calcutta.

Arising from the enactment of the Indian Church Measure and the Indian Church Act for the dissolution of its legal connection with the Church of England, the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon was governed by its own very comprehensive “Constitution, Canons, and Rules” commonly called the Canons.

The Origin and Growth of Church of South India

The Church of South India Scheme is the first practical attempt of its kind towards reunion. the basis of this union was -

  • 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 Apostle's 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.

The Church of South India formed, is not the formation of a new Church in South India... it seeks rather to bring together the distinctive elements of different Christian Communions on a basis of sound doctrine and episcopal order in a distinct, province of the Universal Church.

The different denominations came into the United Church:

  • The Church of South India, Burma and Ceylon - the Anglican Communion.
  • The British Methodist Church.
  • The Presbyterian Denomination.
  • The Congregational Denomination.

(The Presbyterian and Congregationalists were already united as a United Church of South India (UCSI)

The Fathers of the uniting Church wanted to have a period of 30 years for the full consummation of the united Church. So it accepted presbyters ordained by the different denominations without any re-ordination or unifying service. This is one of the unique features of the Church. But the Church of North India (CNI) had the unification service, as it wanted all the presbyters to be unified at the time of the inauguration, but the CSI gave a period of 30 years for natural unification. During the 30 year period, all the presbyters were treated alike and they served in Anglican and non-Anglican pastorates without any distinction.

It was in 1928, that a few Indian leader of the Church under the leadership of Bishop Vedanayagam Samuel Asariyah met in Tharangambadi, where on July 7, 1706 landed Protestant missionaries from Denmark crossing all boundaries of denominations. the Indian leaders with one mind spent several days in retreat interceding for guidance.

But the union negotiations, meetings the different groups of denominations took 19 years. Leaders said that the CSI was conceived in 1928 at Tharangambadi and born at St.George's Cathedral, Chennai on September 27, 1947.

Over the bowed heads of missionaries and natives in St.George's Cathedral at Chennai, India on September 27, 1947, rose the prayer of a minister: "Hasten the time, O God, when throughout the world there shall be one flock." His prayer was that day being answered for one section of the world. Protestant denominations in south India had at last buried their differences and were joining in one Christian church, The Church of South India. The inauguration was a historic and spiritual occasion uniting the four denominations as One united Church. This was one of the largest and the most inclusive Protestant unions in the history. It numbered more than a million Indian Christians; Anglicans, Methodists, Congregationalists, Presbyterians and members of the Dutch Reformed Church, all the fruit of 250 years of endeavor by British missionaries to spread the gospel in India. It is a forerunner for the World Church. The North India Churches, Churches in Pakistan, Bangladesh and a number of Churches followed suit.

Despite a healthy growth Protestantism in south India was a tiny religious minority. Its denominations are microscopic among the swirling masses of Hindus and Muslims. By joining them together into one church, their leaders achieved two things. They made their church more powerful. They also removed a number of theological differences which had confused prospective converts among the Indians. Union did not come all at once but grew out of 28 years of continuous discussion and compromise. When the aloof Anglicans, who were the last to hold out, were finally won over, one joyful clergymen was moved to pronounce the unity "little short of a miracle."

Altogether 15 Bishops were consecrated into the new Church of South India. For their troubles in bringing about the union some of them risked expulsion from their mother churches in England, but they took their seats in the huge cathedral in Chennai with quiet dignity. To present a united front even the austere Presbyterians wore the prescribed white cotton robes with saffron stoles, a color they borrowed from India, where the Hindus regard it as holy. Each bishop was consecrated when nine ministers of the uniting churches laid their hands upon his head. In written statements solemnly placed on the altar of the cathedral, all denominations made concessions.

The greatest came from the tradition-bound Anglicans. Though they have always believed that their priests can trace an unbroken line of succession from St.Peter, they agreed to recognize the authority of the ministers who have broken away from the line of succession.

The strangest compromises came with the touchy matters of church government. Before the Calvinists would agree that the church should have any bishops at all, they insisted that there be installed a chief bishop to be known by the familiar Calvinist title of Moderator and to be addressed as "Most Reverend." (Ordinary Anglican bishops are merely known as "Right Reverend".) But each church retained the right to practice its customary forms of worship for a period of 30 years. In this way it is believed that such tedious matters as whether or not all members of the new church shall kneel to pray or only bow their heads will eventually be settled. By that time the few diehards who are to be found even in this compromising group will themselves be dead.

The Church of South India has 3.8 million members and 14 000 congregations in 21 dioceses (including, for historical reasons, one diocese in northern Sri Lanka). The CSI runs 2000 schools, 130 colleges and 104 hospitals. In the 1960s the Church became conscious of its social responsibility and started organizing rural development projects. There are 50 such projects all over India, 50 training centers for young people, and 500 residential hostels for a total of 35,000 children.

The CSI book of common worship was published in 1950. Since then CSI is a growing Church.

Ministry

The Diocese does Education Ministry, Hospital Ministry, Tribal Welfare Ministry, Mission and Evangilisation Ministry and Ministry among women.

Education Ministry: The Diocese has 52 primary schools, 2 high schools, 17 higher secondary schools, 2 nursing schools, 1 industrial training center and 4 colleges (specialised in Arts & Science, Management, Nursing & Community Welfare). All institutions of this Diocese are religious minority educational institutions. These institutions are some among the earliest institutions of the Tamilnadu state started by the then missionaries with a highly dedicated sacrifice and a vision of super quality education in the area wherever they are located. Most of these institutions are residential.

Hospital Ministry: The Diocese has 2 general hospitals; The CSI Mission General Hospital is located in Urayur, Tiruchirappalli and the CSI Dr.Anne Booth Mission Hospital in CSI Mission Compound, Dharapuram. These hospitals are multispeciality hospitals on service committed and dedicated to the glory of God through the ministry of healing with modern facilities, infrastructure, dedicated management and staff.

Tribal Welfare Ministry: The Diocese operates Tribal Welfare programmes in the tribal area whichever located in the jurisdiction of the diocese.

Mission and Evangilisation Ministry: The Diocese does Mission and Evangilisation programme in the limit of the Diocese territories.

Ministry among women: Having the motto of empowering women in the Diocese, the diocese operates various programmes and welfare measures for the upliftment of the life style and social status of the women.

Diocesan Press and Book: The Diocese has its own printing press at Woraiyur, Tiruchirappalli; where they print all their reading materials. They also publish a book called "Thiruchabai Malar" on every month which is circulated internally only.

Officers of the Council

The Diocese is headed by a Bishop, who is an elected pastor 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 as the head of all, the Clerical Secretary position takes care of the pastoral & Evangilical workers in the Diocese, the Lay Secretary position takes care of all the lay workers in the Diocese, the Educational Secretary position takes care of all educational institutions and the workers of those institutions and as usual of all the organisations, this Diocese also has a position for the Diocesan Treasurer who takes care of all the income and expenditures of the Diocese.

List of the Previous Bishops of the Diocese

† The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edgar Bentley Thorp(1947-1962)

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edgar Bentley Thorp

Methodist missionary Rt. Rev. Dr. Edgar Bentley Thorp, a distinguished scholar and educationist was the first Bishop of the Diocese. He was concecrated as Bishop in the St. George's Cathedral, Chennai on September 27, 1947 when he was aged 42. He was a son of former Missionary. He was a brilliant mathematician in the famous Oxford University; but gave up the science for the Church. He was guiding the diocese as Bishop for 15 years and left India on 1962 on health grounds. He passed on to the glory in September 1991.

The people of the diocese named an arts and science college in Dharapuram in his remembrance (Bishop Thorp College).

† The Rt. Rev. David Chellappa (1962-1964)

The Rt.Rev.David Chellappa, the first Indian Bishop of the Madras diocese, was requested by The Most Rev. A. H. Legg, the then Moderator of CSI, to extend his service and leadership to Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur Diocese as Bishop Thorp left India on a health emergency and couldn't plan for a backup then. Bishop Chellappa was guiding the diocese as an interim Bishop till February 7, 1964. He passed on to the glory on the same year.

† The Most Rev. Dr. Solomon Doraisawmy(1974-1982)

When Bishop Thorp left India, the diocese was in a state of confusion. The Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur diocese had failed to make a panel. As per the constitution, they were required to send a panel of at least two names. Owing to the internal troubles, the diocese had sent only one name and so the Synod of CSI appointed Rev.Solomon Doraisawmy as the Bishop in Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur diocese. He was officially consecrated as the bishop on February 8, 1964 at St.Peter's Church (built by Rev.Christian Frederick Schwartz), Thanjavur. Bishop Chellappa's ring, cross and staff were used in the consecration to Bishop Doraisawmy as they were not arranged on time.

He was elected as the Moderator of the Church of South India in the year 1974 and served the CSI in the same position till 1982. In his tenure he rejuvenated and started so many people friendly and people development projects. The most remembered are the Bishop Heber College and Bishop Heber Schools. He retired in his 65th age in the year 1982.

† The Most Rev. Dr. R. Paulraj(1982-1998)

† The Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel James Srinivasan (1998-2009)

† The Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Vasantha Kumar (2009 onwards)

Theological education

The diocese recognises theological degrees granted by institutions affiliated with the Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College. These include:

List of Pastorates in Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur Diocese

List of Pastorates in Anaimalai DCC

  • Anaimudi Pastorate
  • Henry Edwin Bleby Pastorate
  • Iyerpadi Pastorate
  • Karamalai Pastorate
  • Mudis Pastorate
  • Nadumalai Pastorate
  • Sholayar Nagar
  • Sholayar Nagar Pastorate
  • Valparai Pastorate
  • Vellonie Pastorate
  • Waterfalls Pastorate

List of Pastorates in Dharapuram DCC

  • Avinashipalayam Pastorate
  • Bethel - Dharapuram Pastorate
  • Chinnaputhur Pastorate
  • Dharapuram Town Pastorate
  • Dharapuram Central Pastorate {C.S.I Ellis Memorial Church}
  • Devanurpudur Pastorate
  • Gudimangalam Pastorate
  • Kannivadi Pastorate
  • Kundadam Pastorate
  • Kuthampoondi Pastorate
  • Kallivalasu Pastorate
  • Kolathupalayam Pastorte
  • Madathukulam Pastorate
  • Manakadavu Pastorate
  • Mulanur Pastorate
  • Perunkarunaipalayam Pastorate
  • Thalavaipattinam Pastorate
  • Thayampalayam Pastorate
  • St.Thomas Pastorate(Dharapuram Rural)
  • Udumalaipettai Pastorate
  • Uthiyur Pastorate
  • Vellakovil Pastorate

List of Pastorates in Karur DCC

  • Aravakurichi Pastorate
  • Chinnadharapuram Pastorate
  • Karur Pastorate
  • Kulithalai Pastorate
  • Musiri Pastorate
  • Karur Paramathy
  • Puliyur Pastorate
  • Thalavaipalayam Pastorate
  • Thanthondrimalai Pastorate
  • Thennilai Pastorate
  • Visuvanathapuri Pastorate

List of Pastorates in Perambalur DCC

  • Annamangalam Pastorate
  • Ariyalur Pastorate
  • Irungalur Pastorate
  • Jeyangondam Pastorate
  • Mettupatti Pastorate
  • Perambalur Pastorate
  • Pudukottai Village Pastorate
  • Pullampadi Pastorate
  • Thuraiyur Pastorate
  • Chidambaram Pastorate
  • Lalgudi Pastorate

List of Pastorates in Tiruchirappalli DCC

  • All Saints Church & Pastorate
  • Bethel Church & Pastorate
  • The Fort Christ Church & Pastorate
  • Christ Church GOC. North – D & Pastorate
  • Redeemer's Church & Pastorate
  • Emmanuel Church & Pastorate
  • OFT Church & Pastorate
  • Kattur Church & Pastorate
  • Manaparai Pastorate
  • St.Andrew's Church & Pastorate
  • St.Chrstopher's Church & Pastorate
  • St.Mathew's Church & Pastorate
  • St. John's Church & Pastorate
  • St.Paul's Church & Pastorate
  • St.Peter's GOC Church & Pastorate
  • St.Thomas Church & Pastorate
  • St.Marks, Karumandapam Pastorate
  • St.Luke's Church & Pastorate (Bishop Heber College Chapel)

List of Pastorates in Thanjavur DCC

  • Aathanur Pastorate
  • Anaikaadu Pastorate
  • Aranthangi Pastorate
  • The Fort Christ Church & Pastorate
  • Karaikal Pastorate
  • Kumbakonam Pastorate
  • Mannaargudi Town Pastorate
  • Mannaargudi Rural Pastorate
  • Melanattham Pastorate
  • Nagapattinam Pastorate
  • Nangur Pastorate
  • Pattukottai Pastorate
  • St.Peter's Church & Pastorate
  • Thiruvarur Pastorate
  • St.Andrews Church & Pastorate
  • Myiladuthurai Pastorate

Bishops Appointed in India by Church of England Before The Church of South India Union

  • Thomas Fanshawe Middleton, consecrated 1814; died at Calcutta 1823.
  • Reginald Heber, consecrated 1823; died at Trichinopoly 1826.
  • John Thomas James, consecrated 1827; died at sea 1828.
  • John Matthias Turner, consecrated 1829; died at Calcutta 1831.
  • Daniel Wilson, consecrated 1832; died at Calcutta 1858; First Metropolitan of India and Ceylon.
  • George Edward Lynch Cotton, consecrated 1858; drowned in the Ganges at Kushtea, 1866.
  • Robert Milman, consecrated 1866; died at Rawal Pindi 1876.
  • Edward Ralph Johnson, consecrated 1876; resigned 1898; died 1913.
  • Jambs Edward Cowell Welldon, consecrated 1898; resigned 1902.
  • Reginald Stephen Copleston, consecrated Bishop of Colombo, in Westminster Abbey, 1875; translated 1902; resigned 1913.
  • George Alfred Lefroy, consecrated Bishop of Lahore 1899; translated 1913; died January 1919, in Calcutta.
  • Foss Westcott, consecrated Bishop of Chota-Nagpur 1905; translated 1919.

The Bishops of Calcutta became Metropolitans in 1835; Royal Letters Patent, dated October 10, 1835.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trichy-Tanjore_Diocese_of_the_Church_of_South_India&oldid=495292867"