Kottayam: Bishop Thomas K. Oommen was elected as the moderator of the Church of South India at the 35th synod held at the CSI retreat centre here on Saturday evening. Bishop Oommen secured 290 out of the 311 polled votes of the synod comprising bishops, priests and laity. Earlier, the bishops’ council of the Church recommended the name of Bishop Oommen for the post which was approved by the synod.
The moderator, who will be the head of the entire Church, should secure more than half the votes for being elected. Bishop Oommen is the first moderator from the Madhya Kerala Maha Edavaka of the Church. Earlier, Rev Christopher Ferguson, general secretary of the world communion of reformed churches, who inaugurated the synod meeting, said that the missionary activities of the Church were widely appreciated. The meeting began with the Holy Mass administered by moderator bishop G. Dhaivaseervadham. Church general secretary Daniel Ratnakara Sadanand presented the annual report.
