The Bishop of Jabalpur, Dr Prem Singh, has been elected as the new Moderator of the united Church of North India. As such, he becomes the new primate of the Church’s Anglican province. The Church’s recent Synod also elected a new deputy moderator: Bishop Probal Kanto Dutta of the Diocese of Durgapur. A new treasurer, Mr Jayant Agarwal was also elected. Mr Alwan Masih will continue in his role as general secretary.

The leadership team of the Church of North India: from left-to-right: the new Deputy Moderator Bishop Probal Kanto Dutta, general secretary Mr Alwan Masih, and new treasurer Mr Jayant Agarwal.
Photo: CSI

Dr Singh succeeds Bishop Pradeep Samantaroy as moderator. The election took place at the Synod meeting in New Delhi, which ran from 30 September to 3 October. As the election coincided with this month’s Primates’ Meeting in Canterbury, Bishop Samantaroy attended the Canterbury meeting following the conclusion of the CNI’s synod.

Bishop Thomas Oommen, the Moderator of the CNI’s sister church, the Church of South India, has welcome the election. Alongside the CSI Deputy Moderator, Bishop Vadapalli Prasada Rao and other CSI officials, Bishop Oommen “congratulated the newly elected officers of the CNI and extended their prayerful support,” the CSI said.

The new Moderator, Bishop Singh, is a well-known ecumenical leader and currently serves as the President of the National Council of Churches in India.

Traditional dance featured during the recent synod of the Church of North India
Photo: CNI