CSI ordains new bishops

The Church of South India (CSI) has ordained three new bishops in the recent past weeks.

Rev Dr RJ Niranjan, Treasurer of the Karnataka Northern Diocese, was selected Bishop by a Synod Selection Panel meeting at Chennai on July 16, 2012.

Earlier to that, Rev Dr A Rajavelu was named new Bishop of Vellore and his consecration took place on July 12, 2012.

Last month, CSI Moderator Rev G Devakadasham also consecrated and installed Rev Dr Vadapalli Prasada Rao, the eighth Bishop to the Diocese of Dornakal.

The ceremony took place on June 12 in the historic Epiphany Cathedral Church in Dornakal, Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh.

Rev Rao's consecration service was attended by more than eight thousand people from all corners of the Diocese. They also took part in the Holy Communion.

The Diocese of Dornakal holds a special place in the history of the Protestant denomination.

The Diocese was first established in 1913 by the then Bishop VS Azariah who was the first Anglican Indian Bishop.

"After the consecration service in the Epiphany Cathedral, the Diocese had arranged a Public Reception and thanked God Almighty for giving the new bishop," CSI said in a release.

"The entire Diocese observed fasting and prayed on June 5 for the selection and revelation of the 8th Bishop to the Diocese as per the instructions of the Moderator," it said.

The Church of South India is organised into 22 dioceses, each under the leadership of a bishop. The church is governed by a synod based in Chennai.