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CHENNAI, INDIA: Angry Anglican Laymen Appeal to Archbishop Welby to Remove Indian Moderator
Bishop Dyvasirvadam is not fit theologically or morally to sit on Archbishop's Task Force, they say
Petition set up to remove him
By David W. Virtue DD
www.virtueonline.org
May 13, 2016
A group of angry Indian laymen from the Church of South India (CSI) have written a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, saying that their moderator and bishop, Govada Dyvasirvadam, is not fit to be on the Archbishop of Canterbury's task force and should be removed immediately because they say he is corrupt, a polarizing figure, a man who has accepted bribes and much more.
Major J Victor, General Secretary, Laity Association of CSI-Madras diocese, says that Bishop Dyvasirvadam has made himself unfit for this grand mission, as his life and episcopal ministry are clear witnesses to actions done in contrast to the noble aim of the Task Force. "How can a bishop who spent all his time with little or no pastoral qualities, running the church machinery like a corporate company chairman, a politician and a CEO, be expected to do the ministry of restoration, rebuilding and healing tasks in other parts of the world?
"Bishop Dyvasirvadam is least qualified to be part of such group as he has polarized communities within the CSI, imposed arbitrary byelaws and amendments that are uncharacteristic of a united church, suppressed dissenting voices and shown acute intolerance towards criticism and over the expression of alternative views. He has not proved himself in his own church for over a decade as one who is tolerant of differences and walking together with his own people."
Victor said that not only has he led the CSI into more troubled days, placing it in the path of decay and destruction, his office as the Moderator of the CSI came to an end almost four months ago, and his position as Bishop of Krishna-Godavari diocese was also vacated as he reached the retirement age of 65 years on 28 March 2016.
"Despite court cases restraining his function as the Moderator, he claims to continue in both positions. Bishop Dyvasirvadam does not have any official status, nor any moral qualities to back him up to serve in such a high profile, responsible group. It is widely known that he has more First Investigation Reports (FIRs) filed against him in police stations around South India and more court cases, including a charge of sexual harassment of a woman, than any other Moderator or Bishop in CSI's history. One of the most serious cases against him is the alleged misappropriation of two million dollars (either part or in full) donated by the Episcopal Church in USA for the rehabilitation of Tsunami victims.
"We therefore plead with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the leaders of the Anglican Communion to remove the name of Bishop Dyvasirvadam from the list of members of the Archbishop's Task Force in order to protect the sanctity of its vision and to safeguard the fulfilment of a most supreme spiritual mission.
"The Anglican Communion should take a firm stand against sins of bribery, corruption and fraudulent activities in the church. It cannot give a red-carpet treatment to men in episcopal uniform holding such a record."
The petition can be signed here: http://chn.ge/1Ntj8m3
The letter was sent to the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and the Chairman of the Anglican Communion.
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