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|main_classification = [[Protestant]]
|orientation = [[United and uniting churches|United and uniting]]
|polity =Mixed polity with [[episcopal polity|Episcopalepiscopal]], [[congregational polity|congregational]], and [[presbyterian polity|presbyterian]] elements<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.csisynod.com/history.php |publisher=Church of South India |access-date=22 August 2020 |language=en |year=2010 |quote=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 23 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. |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214005331/https://www.csisynod.com/history.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Watkins">{{cite book |last1=Watkins |first1=Keith |title=The American Church that Might Have Been: A History of the Consultation on Church Union |date=3 November 2014 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-63087-744-6 |pages=14–15 |language=en |quote=The Church of South India created a polity that recognized Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational elements and developed a book of worship that bridged the liturgical traditions that came into this new church. It set up a plan by which existing ministries were accepted while including processes which would lead to the time, a generation later, when all ministers would have been ordained by bishops in apostolic succession. The Church of South India was important as a prototype for a new American church because two factors had come together: the cross-confessional nature of its constituent parts and the intention to be, in effect, the Protestant Christian presence in communities all across the southern territories of its nation.}}</ref>
|founder =
|founded_date = 27 September 1947 (Day of Union, not date of establishment)
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| leader_name1 = Justice R. Balasubramanian<br />Justice V. Bharathidasan<br /> Judge S. Bhaskaran
|leader_title2=Moderator|leader_name2=Vacant|leader_title3=Deputy Moderator|branched_from =
|merger = [[Church of India, Burma and Ceylon|Anglican Church]] (Anglican), the southern district of the [[Methodist Church]], South India United Church (which was a union in 1904 of the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches), Basel Mission Churches in South India<ref name="WMC2020"/>
|separations = [[Anglican Church of India]] (1964)<br/> [[Anglican Catholic Church]] (1984)
|leader_name3=Vacant|fellowships = [[Christian Conference of Asia]],<br />[[National Council of Churches in India]],<br /> [[Communion of Churches in India]]
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|footnotes =
|abbreviation=CSI
|website= {{URL|https://www.csi1947.com/}}
}}
{{Christianity in India sidebar}}
The '''Church of South India''' ('''CSI''') is a [[united and uniting churches|united Protestant Church]] in [[India]]. It is the result of union of a number of [[Christian denomination|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>
 
The Church of South India is the successor of a number of Protestant denominations in India, including the [[Churchfour southern dioceses of England]];the [[Church of India, Burma and Ceylon]] ([[Anglican]]);, the South India United Church ([[Congregationalist]]); the, [[BritishPresbyterian]] Methodistand Church[[Continental Reformed]];), and the [[Churchsouthern district of Scotlandthe [[Methodist Church]].<ref aftername="Shelley2013">{{cite [[Partitionbook of|last1=Shelley India|Indianfirst1=Bruce Independence]].|title=Church ItHistory combinedin thePlain SouthLanguage: IndiaFourth UnitedEdition Church|date=10 (unionDecember of2013 |publisher=Zondervan Academic |isbn=978-1-4016-7685-8 |language=en |quote=Outside the BritishUnited [[Congregationalists]]States andthe most significant merger was the BritishChurch [[Presbyterian]]s);of South India, formed in 1947 through the thenunion 4of three religious bodies: the Anglican diocesesChurch of India, Burma and Ceylon; the South India andProvince oneof inthe SriMethodist LankaChurch; and the South IndianIndia DistrictUnited ofChurch, itself the [[Methodistresult church]]of a movement that brought Presbyterian, Congregational, and Dutch Reformed bodies into the union.}}</ref><ref name="oikoumene.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/church-of-south-india |title=oikoumene.org|date=January 1948 |publisher=Oikoumene.org |access-date=2014-08-15}}</ref>
 
The Church of South India is a member of the [[Anglican Communion]], [[World Methodist Council]] and [[World Communion of Reformed Churches]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/member-churches/member-church.aspx?church=north-india|title=The Church of North India (United)|publisher=Anglican Communion Office|access-date=17 September 2018|quote=Along with the Church of South India, the Church of Pakistan, and the Church of Bangladesh, it [the Church of a North India] is one of the four United Churches.}}</ref><ref name="WMC2020">{{cite web |title=Church of South India |date=9 November 2019 |url=https://worldmethodistcouncil.org/member-churches/name/india-church-of-south-india-bangalore-episcopal-area/ |publisher=[[World Methodist Council]] |access-date=25 June 2020 |language=en|quote=The Church of South India is a United Church that came into existence on 27 September 1947. The churches that came into the union were the Anglican Church, the Methodist Church, and the South India United Church (a union in 1904 of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches). Later the Basel Mission Churches in South India also joined the Union. The Church of South India is the first example in church history of the union of Episcopal and non-Episcopal churches, and is thus one of the early pioneers of the ecumenical movement. The CSI strives to maintain fellowship with all those branches of the church which the uniting churches enjoyed before the union. It is a member of the World Methodist Council, the Anglican Consultative Council, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Council for World Mission, and the Association of Missions and Churches in South West Germany.}}</ref> It is one of four [[united and uniting churches|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]].
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=== Formation ===
The Church of South India union ceremony happened at [[St. George's Cathedral Chennai|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 church|Congregational]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Reformed church|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">{{cite web |url= http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=S3 |title= Anglican Communion official website – The Church of South India (United) |access-date=2008-06-21 }}</ref> The inaugural service was presided by Bishop Rt. Rev. [[Cherakarottu Korula Jacob|C. K. Jacob]], of the [[Anglican Bishop of Travancore and Cochin|Anglican diocese of Travancore and Cochin]].<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration">{{cite journal |title=The Order of Service for the Inauguration of Church Union in South India (1947) |website=Anglicanhistory.org |url=http://anglicanhistory.org/india/inauguration1947.html}}</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. A. M. Hollis and Rt. Rev. G. T. Selwynthe) 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>{{Cite journal|url=https://library.columbia.edu/content/dam/libraryweb/locations/burke/fa/mrl/ldpd_4492556.pdf|title='A Church Is Born' Records, 1947 – 1948 Church of South India Inauguration|via=The Burke Library Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Church of South India and Reunion in England |journal=Biblicalstudies.org.uk |url=https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/churchman/082-04_249.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Historic Episcopate in the Light of South Indian Experience |website=Churchsociety.org |url=http://churchsociety.org/docs/churchman/080/Cman_080_2_Paul.pdf |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924060518/https://churchsociety.org/docs/churchman/080/Cman_080_2_Paul.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" />
 
[[File:Church of South India formation service.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Rt. Rev. Dr. C. K. Jacob presiding over the Church of South India inaugural service]]
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The Church of South India practices the [[Rite (Christianity)|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>{{Cite web|url=http://csimichigan.org/PDF/CONFIRMATION.pdf|title=An Order of Service for the Reception of Baptized Persons into the Full Fellowship of the Church Commonly Called Confirmation (CSI)|website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Confirmation |url=http://www.religionfacts.com/confirmation |website=ReligionFacts |language=en}}</ref>
 
=== SocialCapital issuespunishment ===
The Church of South India opposes the death penalty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csisynod.com/news_view.php?Id=52|title=CSI SYNOD|website=csisynod.com|access-date=2016-10-25}}</ref>
 
=== Women's Ordination ===
In 2013, the CSI consecrated its first female bishop, [[Pushpa Lalitha|Eggoni Pushpalalitha]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=ACNS staff|title=Church of South India appoints first female bishop|url=http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/09/25/church-of-south-india-appoints-first-female-bishop/|website=episcopaldigitalnetwork.com|publisher=Episcopal Digital Network|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053348/http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/09/25/church-of-south-india-appoints-first-female-bishop/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet India's first woman Bishop |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meet-indias-first-woman-bishop-535848 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The Church of South India, since 1984, has allowed [[Ordination of women in Protestant denominations|women's ordination]].<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011"/> Additionally, "it has taken up issues of gender, dalits and [[landlessness]]."<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011">{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-rising-cases-of-sexual-abuse-within-the-church/1/151572.html|date=26 September 2011|author=M G Radhakrishnan|title=Rising cases of sexual abuse within the church in Kerala force clergy to rethink on homosexuality|publisher=[[India Today]]|access-date=2016-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Paul|first1=Cithara|title=Protestants support gay rights|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090805/jsp/frontpage/story_11322140.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914124004/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090805/jsp/frontpage/story_11322140.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Kolkota|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.efionline.org/the-news/efi-news/58-current-issues/189-church-pressed-to-rethink-and-embrace-the-lgbt-community|title=Church pressed to rethink and embrace the LGBT community|last=deepak|website=efionline.org|access-date=2016-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828204418/http://www.efionline.org/the-news/efi-news/58-current-issues/189-church-pressed-to-rethink-and-embrace-the-lgbt-community|archive-date=28 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.christiantoday.co.in/article/church.urged.to.rethink.and.embrace.the.lgbt.community/4326.htm|title=Church pressed to rethink and embrace the LGBT community|last=Today|first=Christian|work=Christian Today|access-date=2018-01-29|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141718/http://www.christiantoday.co.in/article/church.urged.to.rethink.and.embrace.the.lgbt.community/4326.htm|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
=== LGBTQ issues ===
In 2008, CSI supported the faction of the Anglican Church—[[Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans]] (GAFCON)—on the battle over allowing gay clergy.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-02|title=Gay priests not acceptable: India's Anglican churches|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/gay-priests-not-acceptable-india-s-anglican-churches/story-ADRxdYVDZsEjVbAyAy0BdN.html|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Indian bishops sided with traditionalists on the issue of homosexuality.<ref name="Nair2008">{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Manoj R. |title=No gay priests, please |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/manoj-r-nair/neigbourhood-buzz/articleshow/15812850.cms |publisher=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |access-date=5 January 2023 |language=English |date=27 May 2008|quote=But a large group of conservative bishops who do not agree with the meeting's host, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams's liberal views on homosexuality and gay priests will defy him and hold an 'alternative Lambeth' next month. The Indian counterparts of the Anglican church, the Church of North India (CNI) and the Church of South India (CSI) have a conservative stand on the issue.}}</ref> The church does not ordain clergy who are active in same-sex relationships.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-02|title=Gay priests not acceptable: India's Anglican churches|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/gay-priests-not-acceptable-india-s-anglican-churches/story-ADRxdYVDZsEjVbAyAy0BdN.html|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> In 2015, [[St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore]] hosted an event, co-led by the Rev. Vincent Rajkumar, aimed at denouncing homophobia.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Silthou|first1=Makepeace|title=A Theological Challenge to Christian Homophobia|url=http://thewire.in/2015/12/09/a-theological-challenge-to-christian-homophobia-16685/|work=The Wire|access-date=12 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211203604/http://thewire.in/2015/12/09/a-theological-challenge-to-christian-homophobia-16685/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> CSI clergy, working with the [[National Council of Churches in India]], also co-led a consultation speaking out against homophobia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://josephgoh.org/?p=525|title=International Consultation on Church and Homophobia|date=2014-12-08|website=Joseph N. Goh|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-23}}</ref> The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) listed the Church of South India as being among the Anglican provinces open to [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|blessing same-sex couples]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Church split over homosexuality would be a failure - Welby|work=BBC News |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35278124|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sanghamam.com/readnews.php?id=8588|title=സവവരഗ രതിയം വിവാഹവം: ആംഗലികകന കമയണിയനില ഭിനനത രകഷം|website=sanghamam.com|language=EN|access-date=2017-05-04|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408170135/https://www.sanghamam.com/readnews.php?id=8588|url-status=dead}}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/awesome-tamil-nadu-seminary-teaching-pastors-accept-lgbt-community-46577|title=Awesome! This Tamil Nadu seminary is teaching pastors to accept the LGBT community|date=2016-07-15|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-11}}</ref> However, in 2023 the Communion of Churches in India, of which CSI is a part,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.communionofchurchesinindia.org.in/#:~:text=The%20Communion%20of%20Churches%20in%20India%20(CCI)%20has%20been%20constituted,as%20belonging%20to%20the%20one | title=Communion of Church in India }}</ref> filed an application before the Supreme Court opposing petitions for same-sex marriage, writing that marriage is a divine institution uniting two persons of the opposite sex, and also writing to the President of India on the subject.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/on-same-sex-union-faith-leaders-show-rare-unity/article66691813.ece | title=On same-sex union, faith leaders show rare unity | newspaper=The Hindu | date=2 April 2023 | last1=Salam | first1=Ziya Us }}</ref>▼
In 2008, CSI supported the faction of the Anglican Church—[[Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans]] (GAFCON)— which opposed allowing gay priests inside church. “The Bible does not recognise gay marriages or gay priests,” said Reverend Benny Thomas of CSI, Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-02|title=Gay priests not acceptable: India's Anglican churches|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/gay-priests-not-acceptable-india-s-anglican-churches/story-ADRxdYVDZsEjVbAyAy0BdN.html|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> Indian bishops sided with traditionalists on the issue of homosexuality.<ref name="Nair2008">{{cite web |last1=Nair |first1=Manoj R. |title=No gay priests, please |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/manoj-r-nair/neigbourhood-buzz/articleshow/15812850.cms |publisher=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |access-date=5 January 2023 |language=English |date=27 May 2008|quote=But a large group of conservative bishops who do not agree with the meeting's host, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams's liberal views on homosexuality and gay priests will defy him and hold an 'alternative Lambeth' next month. The Indian counterparts of the Anglican church, the Church of North India (CNI) and the Church of South India (CSI) have a conservative stand on the issue.}}</ref> The church does not ordain clergy who are active in same-sex relationships.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-07-02|title=Gay priests not acceptable: India's Anglican churches|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/gay-priests-not-acceptable-india-s-anglican-churches/story-ADRxdYVDZsEjVbAyAy0BdN.html|access-date=2021-11-29|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
 
▲InThe 2008,[[National CSICouncil supportedof theChurches factionin India]], of which the AnglicanCSI Church—[[Globalis Fellowshipa ofmember, Confessingsupported Anglicans]]the (GAFCON)—onlegalization theof battleconsensual oversame-sex allowingrelationships gayin clergyIndia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20082009-0708-0204 |title=GayProtestants priestscool notwith acceptable:verdict India'son Anglicanhomosexuality churches|url=https://www.hindustantimesindiatoday.comin/indiamail-today/gaystory/protestants-priestscool-notwith-acceptableverdict-indiaon-shomosexuality-anglican53514-churches/story2009-ADRxdYVDZsEjVbAyAy0BdN.html08-03 |access-date=20222024-0106-0903 |website=HindustanIndia Today Times|language=en}}</ref> Indian bishops sided with traditionalists on the issue of homosexuality.<ref name="Nair2008">{{citeCite web |last1last=Nairvoltaire |first1date=Manoj R. |title=No gay priests, please |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/columnists/manoj2018-r01-nair/neigbourhood-buzz/articleshow/15812850.cms23 |publishertitle=[[Mumbai Mirror]] |access-date=5 January 2023 |language=English |date=27 May 2008|quote=But a large group of conservative bishops who do not agree with the meetingIndia's host,National ArchbishopCouncil of CanterburyChurches DrAdvocates Rowanfor Williams's liberal views on homosexuality and gay priests will defy him and hold an 'alternative Lambeth' next month. The Indian counterpartsRepeal of theSection Anglican377 church, the Church of North India (CNI) and the Church of South India (CSI) have a conservative stand on the issue.}}</ref> The church does not ordain clergy who are active in same-sex relationships.<ref>{{CiteSingapore web|date=2008-07-02|title=GayNews priests not acceptable: India's Anglican churches|url=https://wwwtheindependent.hindustantimes.com/indiasg/gayindias-priestsnational-notcouncil-acceptableof-indiachurches-sadvocates-for-repeal-of-anglicansection-churches377/story-ADRxdYVDZsEjVbAyAy0BdN.html |access-date=20212024-1106-2903 |website=HindustanThe Independent Singapore News Times|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2015, [[St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore]] hosted an event, co-led by the Rev. Vincent Rajkumar, aimed at denouncing homophobia.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Silthou|first1=Makepeace|title=A Theological Challenge to Christian Homophobia|url=http://thewire.in/2015/12/09/a-theological-challenge-to-christian-homophobia-16685/|work=The Wire|access-date=12 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211203604/http://thewire.in/2015/12/09/a-theological-challenge-to-christian-homophobia-16685/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> CSI clergy, working with the [[National Council of Churches in India]], also co-led a consultation speaking out against homophobia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://josephgoh.org/?p=525|title=International Consultation on Church and Homophobia|date=2014-12-08|website=Joseph N. Goh|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-23}}</ref> The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) listed the Church of South India as being among the Anglican provinces open to [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|blessing same-sex couples]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Church split over homosexuality would be a failure - Welby|work=BBC News |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35278124|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sanghamam.com/readnews.php?id=8588|title=സവവരഗ രതിയം വിവാഹവം: ആംഗലികകന കമയണിയനില ഭിനനത രകഷം|website=sanghamam.com|language=EN|access-date=2017-05-04|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408170135/https://www.sanghamam.com/readnews.php?id=8588|url-status=dead}}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/awesome-tamil-nadu-seminary-teaching-pastors-accept-lgbt-community-46577|title=Awesome! This Tamil Nadu seminary is teaching pastors to accept the LGBT community|date=2016-07-15|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-11}}</ref> However, in 2023 the Communion of Churches in India, of which CSI is a part,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.communionofchurchesinindia.org.in/#:~:text=The%20Communion%20of%20Churches%20in%20India%20(CCI)%20has%20been%20constituted,as%20belonging%20to%20the%20one | title=Communion of Church in India }}</ref> filed an application before the Supreme Court opposing petitions for same-sex marriage, writing that marriage is a divine institution uniting two persons of the opposite sex, and also writing to the President of India on the subject.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/on-same-sex-union-faith-leaders-show-rare-unity/article66691813.ece | title=On same-sex union, faith leaders show rare unity | newspaper=The Hindu | date=2 April 2023 | last1=Salam | first1=Ziya Us }}</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>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/awesome-tamil-nadu-seminary-teaching-pastors-accept-lgbt-community-46577|title=Awesome! This Tamil Nadu seminary is teaching pastors to accept the LGBT community|date=2016-07-15|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-11}}</ref> However, in 2023 the Communion of Churches in India, of which the CSI is a part,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.communionofchurchesinindia.org.in/#:~:text=The%20Communion%20of%20Churches%20in%20India%20(CCI)%20has%20been%20constituted,as%20belonging%20to%20the%20one | title=Communion of Church in India }}</ref> filed an application before the Supreme Court opposing petitions for same-sex marriage, writing that marriage is a divine institution uniting two persons of the opposite sex, and also writing to the President of India on the subject.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/on-same-sex-union-faith-leaders-show-rare-unity/article66691813.ece | title=On same-sex union, faith leaders show rare unity | newspaper=The Hindu | date=2 April 2023 | last1=Salam | first1=Ziya Us }}</ref>
 
Some dioceses of the church have confirmed that transgender persons may be ordained as clergy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/csi-to-ordain-transgender-a-priest/article2864240.ece|title=CSI to ordain transgender a priest|date=2012-02-06|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-04-29}}</ref> On [[transgender]] issues, the Diocese of Madras has a ministry specifically for transgender people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csimadrasdiocese.org/ministries.php?cat=13|title=Church of South India {{!}} CSI Chennai Diocese {{!}} CSI Diocese of Madras|website=www.csimadrasdiocese.org|access-date=2016-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213194541/http://www.csimadrasdiocese.org/ministries.php?cat=13|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, the denomination invited a transgender pastor to preach.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Transgender-in-a-fix-over-spiritual-path/articleshow/11787219.cms|title=Transgender in a fix over spiritual path - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=7 February 2012 |access-date=2016-05-01}}</ref>
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==Dioceses==
The church is further divided into twenty-sixfour [[diocese]]s, 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>{{cite web |url= http://www.csi-kanyakumari.org/About.htm |title= About Kanyakumari Diocese |access-date= 2008-06-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080827195230/http://www.csi-kanyakumari.org/About.htm |archive-date= 27 August 2008 |url-status= dead }}</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
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| style="width:20%;"|[[Trichy-Tanjore Diocese of the Church of South India|Trichy-Tanjore Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Tiruchirappalli]]
| style="width:30%;"|K. Reuben[[Sede Markvacante]]▼
| style="width:30%;"| [[Dhanraj Chandrasekaran]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=505&view=alpha |title=South India-Trichy-Tanjore |publisher=Anglican Communion |access-date=2014-08-15}}</ref>
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Anglican Diocese of Vellore|Vellore Diocese]]
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| rowspan="1" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|[[Sri Lanka]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Veluppillai Pathmathyalan]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|Erode-Salem Diocese
| style="width:15%;"|Erode
| rowspan="1" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|Tamil Nadu
| style="width:30%;"|Bishop
|-
| style="width:20%;"|Diaspora Diocese
| style="width:15%;"|New York
| rowspan="1" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
▲| style="width:30%;"|K. Reuben Mark
|}
[[File:Church of South India Dioceses.jpg|400px|right|Church of South India Dioceses and headquarters.]]
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* [[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College|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
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{{Authority control}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:India South, Church of}}
[[Category:Church of South India| ]]
[[Category:Anglican Communion church bodies|India, South]]
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[[Category:Affiliated institutions of the National Council of Churches in India]]
[[Category:Anglicanism in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Affirming Christian denominations in Asia]]
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