by Prof. D.Samuel Lawrence
The recent incidents of violence, on the American College campus, in which several students got injured, speak volumes about the way in which a religious leader tried to take over the administration of the college. It is but an audacious attempt to bring it under his control.
It is really tragic that the American College, an institution founded by selfless and scholarly missionaries, should come under such an onslaught. A careful study of the history of The American College would reveal that it is a church-related but not a church-controlled college. The founders, in their infinite wisdom and remarkable foresight, had made it a liberal Christian college with a secular outlook. It has been rendering yeoman service in the field of higher education all these years.
And, according to the constitution of the College Governing Council, the Bishop of CSI Madurai-Ramnad Diocese is an ex-officio member and its President. His duty is to preside over its meetings and conduct them. Nothing more; nothing less. All the previous CSI bishops discharged this duty faithfully and maintained cordial relationship with the college administration. They did not overstep their limits.
But now, the situation has completely changed. The present CSI bishop of the Madurai-Ramnad Diocese, is bent upon bringing it under his control somehow or other. In the process, truth has become the first casualty. He portrays himself as a savior of the college and proclaims that he is engaged in the 'sacred mission' of preventing it from falling into private hands. This campaign of falsehood has been let loose on the public, with the help of the pliant pastors. It is a pity that those whose duty it is to spread love and fight for truth and justice do exactly the opposite.
So, it is a life-and-death struggle for the college to preserve its identity and individuality as envisaged by the noble missionaries who established it through their sweat and sacrifice. It is a fight against evil forces, who in the name of religion, try to grab it and make their own property. In other words, the question whether The American College would continue to serve the society as it has served so far as a liberal Christian institution or would it be converted into a business enterprise is involved in this. It is time that everyone concerned about truth and justice and the cause of higher education in Madurai stood up and joined hands in this valiant struggle for this great institution-to protect and preserve its freedom and individuality. Otherwise, it would be nothing but a betrayal of the noble principles on which The American College was founded.
6 comments:
Sir:
I've been following this struggle from the far east (Korea) with a heavy heart.
There is a way to show our (NRI) anxiety to the Church through 'online petition'. One can generate a petition in three simple steps at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/
This will give a chance to the Americal College Alumni to show their solidarity in this struggle of historical nature.
Will one of you at close quarters generate such a petition and send us a link to sign? Please.
Dr.Narayanan Kannan
KORDI, Korea
i am writing this with profound anguish.
It is no wonder that the conduct of the Bishop has gone from Worse to Worst. It’s surprising to see that even few pastors join hands with the Bishop for this evil cause. It’s bizzare that Mr. George Selvakumar, who’s going to retire by next year and currently under suspension, has shown his lust for power to the core.
May I appeal to the congregation of Madurai to come united and reject this trend of Bishop’s attitude towards this dignified position and people. Bishop has shown his lust for power, money and position, high handedness , rude, wicked, these are all Fruit of the Flesh and not Fruit of the Spirit. Unless we be united take a decisive step in the right direction, we will see God lift His blessings completely from the Churches. It’s a wake up call to every Christian.
We protest on the killings of our Christian brothers and sisters by some miscreants in Orissa, Karnataka . But when a Bishop himself torments his own people by his rude behaviour, what do you call this? How do you want to deal with this? Is it not equal to killing his own people? - killing the reputation of the college, the missionary zeal, the tranquillity the aspirations of the students,etc.
It’s also surprising that the Moderator and Bishops of other Dioceses is completely silent?
I would like to know as member of CSI, whose money is being utilised for the court cases? Who is sponsoring the Diocese? Is it the offertory money which was supposed to be used to the Glory of God being utilised for this evil cause? If this trend continues then I strongly feel that the CSI will disintegrate. Ofcourse unless if this is the will of God.
Let’s be united in prayer so that God will bring justice to the College.
May the Lord Almighty grant wisdom and strength to Mr. Chinnaraj Joseph to overcome this
Many are called, few are chosen and fewer still are faithful to the Lord.
Although we could not join you, our prayers and support are with the college.
JOHN PAUL
ALUMNI
Dear sir,
Please do write more on everyday basis like you do on the announcement board. The old students of the college need more insight regarding this issue. I just wonder, why ciriminal cases were not filed against the Bishop. This bishop deserves to go to jail. He has so many ciriminal cases against him and at present he is looting the money of the poor Xians and the college. This is the time we need more strength to fight against the evil with more aggression. The alumni is ready to support at any cost ( Please inform us about the requirements in the blog). The political parties are scared believing that the Bishop has the minority vote behind him which is not at all true. His muscle power and money power will be defeated by the continuous fight from within.
I plead the alumni that we have to give a moral and a financial support to the cause.Please come forward and announce your support on the blog. We can also send our personal queries to the people who are incharge of this blog. The court is delaying the matter and tries to dilute our protest. This is a age old political game. We have seen struggles bigger than this. Whatever we are today is because of the college. We will never let this go in the hands of crooks.
Please write messages, contribute otherwise and intensify the struggle as much as we can.
Thank you
Bishops can be moderators but never be controllers.
I think they might understand this in future and tend of work for the welfare of the college.
Dear All,
I'm a CSI christian working in a pvt company @ chennai, I am really worried about things happening out there in Madurai. I wish this bishop is punished by the law and kept behind bars so that the christian commmunity dosen't have to go through all these.I have heard that bad leaders can bring shame to the flocks, Now the same thing is happening.
Dear Mr. Bishop, Pls dont dare get near our college. We love our collage and dont mind giving our life for it. If you are reading(Hope you know to) this, its a stern warning.
With love for
The American College,
Intruder
Dear All,
I'm a CSI christian working in a pvt company @ chennai, I am really worried about things happening out there in Madurai. I wish this bishop is punished by the law and kept behind bars so that the christian commmunity dosen't have to go through all these.I have heard that bad leaders can bring shame to the flocks, Now the same thing is happening.
Dear Mr. Bishop, Pls dont dare get near our college. We love our collage and dont mind giving our life for it. If you are reading(Hope you know to) this, its a stern warning.
With love for
The American College,
Intruder
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