Special Correspondent, The Hindu
Church of South India celebrates its diamond jubilee
CHENNAI: The role of the Church of South India in promoting education, health and Tamil was lauded as it celebrated its diamond jubilee here on Thursday.
With 40 lakh members in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry and the Jaffna province of Sri Lanka, the Church is the oldest and largest ecumenically united in Asia. Minister of State for Railways R. Velu called upon Christian leaders to go one step further and work for the unification of the church across India. "I appeal to all the bishops, why confine your unification to South India alone? Maybe, before your platinum jubilee, the 'S' will be removed and you will become the Churches of India," he said.
Pointing out that Tamil Nadu had taken the lead in providing religious minorities with reservation in education and employment, he encouraged representatives of the church from other southern States to ask for similar reservation in their States.
Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan appreciated the role of Christianity in promoting Tamil, recalling the contribution of the 18th century missionary Bartholomew Ziegenbalg, a pioneer in Tamil printing.
In continuation of its service, and as part of its diamond jubilee celebrations, the church has come out with a 10-point manifesto, including a commitment to create an endowment of Rs. 1 crore for the education of 120 underprivileged boys and girls.
The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, urged Christians and Muslims to act as brothers and sisters, saying people of all faiths should fight against terrorism in the name of religion.
