DR. R. JAYAKARAN ISSAC Vs. THE CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA, SYNOD REP. BY ITS MODERATOR MOST REV. DR. DYVASIRVATHAM NO. 5, WHITES ROAD, ROYAPETTAH CHENNAI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Litigation does not even spare God, or rather the followers find avenues of litigation even in matters of religious affairs. This is across the board irrespective of the religion. Properties held by religious institutions and the power which flows from posts held, which are religious in character, seek to be the bane of this litigation.

(2.) The present case is also one where the members of the Church of South India are battling on the issue of the amendment to the Constitution of the Church of South India as also the mode and manner of election of the office bearers.

(3.) The preamble to the Constitution sets forth how the Church of South India came into being. It claims to be a part of One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and a union of four different church traditions - Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational. It is also an autonomous Indian church and incidentally is not a registered body under any enactment. It is stated to have been formed immediately after the country gained independence.