Abstract
The period of Selvamony’s Ministry can be termed as a period of theological revival. He wanted the believers of the heretical teaching spread by the popular teachers and advised the pastors to be vigilant on the choice of preaching for revival meetings. The theological convictions were expressed in social action programmes as well. Bishop Selvamony had been totally devoted him in the spiritual field. Even though he faced many sufferings in his life, he himself devoted his life to Lord Jesus Christ. According to him, “Christ is the Supreme for us since we are Christians. There are many religious and principles are prevailed in the world, but Jesus Christ is Supreme of all. As his parents taught to him about prayer, reading Bible and taken penance which gave more confidence to propagate Christian thoughts among people.
Introduction
He was very curious in the religious service since childhood as his father. After finishing school education he strongly concentrated to religious service. It made very happy to his family members because many people wanted to live the luxurious way of life and sought external happiness. This opportunity gave great experience as well as concentrate future religious services.
In order to improve the theological education, he established Diocesan Plan in 1974 at Diocesan and conducted many seminars and retreat to the theological students in the diocese office itself. For this purpose a Pastor’s Library also opened by him in Nagercoil. It helps a lot to the pastors to develop their theological knowledge as well. He condemned the preachers in the name of Christianity who not completed theological study respectively.
His Role in Educational Field
In his devotional life teaching profession is an important one. Bishop C. Selvamony believed that we can create good students as well as good spiritual people through teaching profession. According to A.P.J Abdul Kalam, “I learn from unknown matters while teaching others. Similarly Bishop C. Selvamony followed that principles like a studying student from the teacher. In his theological department he studied all new published books and utilized the studied matters among the Teachers and classroom.
Overseas Teachings
Bishop C. Selvamony didn’t complete his services with local people. He extended it abroad too. He was called by Mansfield College in Birmingham and college of Ascension in London to impart Theological study on the basis of Indian method. Wherever he visited, he impressed everyone by his peculiar noble character and appreciated by everyone.
His Role in Kanyakumari Diocese
It is very difficult to exclaim very easily about Bishop Selvamony’s contribution to the Kanyakumari Diocese. He contributed very much to the Diocese in many ways. Bishop Selvamony provided much significance to socio-economic development of Kanyakumari District as well as integration of people, spreading Gospel, missionary work and so on. The churches were on growing stage during his days. HMS joined its ten churches with Kanyakumari Diocese. They are Harrispuram, Ebaneswaram, Kodavilai, Tottam, Theivapanavilai, Padantalmoodu, Pathukani, Puliyoorchali, Povang Parambhu, Manalivilai. Those churches added yet another feather to the Kanyakumari Diocese. Moreover Malt missionary joined their churches such as Pallivilai and Ramavarampu with Kanyakumari Diocese. On those days a volunteer prayer cell was initiated to spread Jesus Christ words to the Nagercoil people. There were some younger took this responsibility. As a result of this few churches established in Parapuvilai, Mantharamputoor and Manalivilai. Later steps were taken by Bishop to mingle those churches with Kanyakumari Diocese and carried out successfully by him.
Conclusion
Bishop C. Selvamony strongly firm the churches are mainly responsible to spread Jesus Christ preaching to the common people. So he urged his subordinates to establish or construct newly churches across the districts. As a result of his strenuous efforts there are 30 new churches sprouted. They are Anantha Nagar, Amankan Vilai, Ambadi, Idaivilagam, Voorakonam, Ehovanagar, Erthavoor, Kannayam, Keeriparai, Chemantharai Christ church, Churulodu Gnana Bethel, Gnandhaspuram, Theruvukadi, Thenkan Vizagam, Thoppoor, Neerodi, Pantivilai, Pakiapuram, Palkulam, Bethel Poota Vilai, Malavan Vilai, Muzhamootuvizhai, Melakrishnaputhoor, Mosespuram. Vavari, Sharon, Vaniyan Vilai and Vazayatte vilai. On his persistent efforts, that Arumanai and Kadamacode churches also merged with C.S.I Kanyakumari Diocese. During his time there were 20 churches elevated as Pastorate Churches. In a short period churches and Church workers numbers had been increased in a large scale.
Dr. D.S.SANAL DHAS, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Udaya College of Arts and Science, Vellamodi.
References
- Agur, C.M., Church History of Travancore, Mylody 1903.
- Alexander, J.P., South India Church History, Palayamkottai.
- Arangadon, A.J., Church Union in South India and its progress and consummation Mangalore, 1947.
- Census of India, Kanyakumari District Handbook, Madras, 1981.
- Dhurai Money. A., Alaikul Amaithi, Nagercoil, 2000
- Church of South India Kanyakumari Diocese Golden Jubilee Souvenir, Nagercoil 1999.
- CSI Kanyakumari Diocese 39thThanksgiving Souvenir, September, 1998.
- Daniel, D., Travancore Tamils-struggle for identify 1938-1956 Part-I Madurai 1992.