CSI Karimnagar diocese Bishop Reuben Mark elected moderator

Rev. K. Reuben Mark, Bishop of Church of South India (CSI) Karimnagar diocese and in-charge Bishop of CSI Medak diocese, has been elected as the moderator of CSI Synod on Monday (July 21, 2025).

A special session of the CSI Synod held in Chennai saw his election, being regarded as a milestone in the CSI Church’s history. The special session of the Synod, convened on Monday (July 21, 2025), was dedicated to the theme ‘Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation and Unity’. Justice V. Bharathidasan, the election officer, announced the results.

It may be mentioned here that the Madras High Court had in April 2024 appointed two of its retired judges as the Committee of Administrators to administer the CSI as well as the CSI Trust Association until the conduct of fresh elections for the Diocesan Councils and the Synod. A Division Bench of Justices R. Subramanian and R. Sakthivel had appointed former judges R. Balasubramanian and V. Bharathidasan as administrators and directed them to take charge of the administration of CSI and CSI Trust Association with immediate effect.

The CSI Synod is the highest administrative body of the CSI, overseeing and coordinating the activities of the entire denomination. It is the governing body of the CSI, that comprises clergy and lay representatives from all dioceses. The CSI Synod consists of bishops of 24 dioceses, presbyters and layman (both men and women) who are elected from the respective diocesan councils to the synod.

The election of Rev. Reuben Mark as moderator is expected to usher in a new era for the CSI, aligning with the synod’s focus on these core principles. B. Vimal Sukumar will be the honorary treasurer of the Synod making him the key financial officer of the CSI that includes managing the Synod’s finances, budgeting, reporting and ensuring financial compliance and stability. C. Fernandas Rathina Raja has been elected general secretary of the CSI Synod.