Samuel Devasahayam Ebenezer Clement has been consecrated as the new bishop of the Thoothukudi- Nazareth Diocese
The Rt. Rev. Samuel Devasahayam Ebenezer Clement has been consecrated as the new bishop of the Thoothukudi- Nazareth Diocese of the Church of South India. He is the second Bishop of the Diocese.
The consecration service was led by Most Rev. Thomas K. Oommen, the Moderator of the Church of South India, on 11th of June 2017 at St. John’s Cathedral in Nazareth. Rt. Rev. Dr. Vadapalli Prasada Rao, the Deputy Moderator, Rev. Dr. Daniel Rathnakara Sadananda, the General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Baker Ninan Fenn (Bishop, CSI Cochin Diocese), Rt. Rev. M. Joseph (Bishop, CSI Madurai- Ramnadu Diocese), The Rt. Rev. Dr. J. J. Christdoss (Bishop, CSI Tirunelveli Diocese) Rt. Rev. Timothy Ravinder (Bishop, CSI Coimbatore Diocese), and Rt. Rev. Jayaraj George Stephen (Bishop, Madras Diocese) assisted the Moderator in the Communion service. Bishop Fenn gave the consecration sermon based on the theme ‘Shepherd and the church’.
Adv. Robert Bruce, the Hon. Treasurer of the Church of South India and the Diocesan leaders also gave the leadership in the consecration service. People from various walks of life, the missionaries, heads of institutions, representatives from theological colleges, members of the neighbouring dioceses, and leaders and members of other denominations witnessed the consecration service.
During the installation, Rev. Dr D. Rathnakar Sadananda, General Secretary of the CSI, read the instrument of election and selection. The congregation gave its assent. The Moderator then led the consecration and installation of the Bishop-elect. There was a solemn examination of the Bishop-elect, followed by the congregational hymn inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Moderator and the officiating Bishops laid their hands on the head of the Bishop-elect and prayed that God ordains and consecrates him Bishop in God’s Church. The Moderator then presented the newly consecrated Bishop with the Bible and the Pastoral Staff, the symbol of the good shepherd, while the Bishop was adorned with the Saffron Stole. The Deputy Moderator placed the Episcopal Ring on his finger, a token of pledge and fidelity. The Bishops then welcomed the new Bishop to the council of the Bishops by giving the right hand of fellowship. The Moderator then declared Rt. Rev. Samuel Devasahayam Ebenezer Clement Bishop in the Church of God, in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The congregation responded with a loud ‘Amen’ and sang the doxology.
Then the newly consecrated Bishop was led to his Episcopal chair. The lay officers of the Diocese, representatives of the laity and representatives of the Deacons and Presbyters and women workers promised all due obedience to the new Bishop.
Rt. Rev. Samuel Devasahayam Ebenezer Clement has been elevated to this high office after a long and effective ministry in the diocese in various capacities. Bishop is sixty years old who hails from Mannarayanthattu in Thoothukudi District. He is married to Mrs. Santhini and blessed with two sons: D. Giftson Samuel, M.B.A. and D. Moses Brightson, M.Tech. Bishop was Bishop’s Chaplain and Bishop’s office administrator in the early years of his ministry. He served as the Manager of CSI Schools in Thoothukudi- Nazareth Diocese, and led the healing ministry of the Diocese in which he had given specific focus on the ministry for the Differently Abled.
May God bless him to lead this great diocese of the Church of South India with zeal and enthusiasm.
