Church of North India elects new moderator

The Church of North India (CNI) has elected Rev Dr Philip P Marandih as the new moderator for the next three years.

Rev Marandih, Bishop of the Diocese of Patna, replaces the current moderator, Rev Purely Lyngdoh.

The election took place during the 14th Ordinary Synod of the CNI which was held at St. Thomas School in New Delhi.

"I feel honoured to be elected as the new moderator by the council of bishops and the general body. It is truly God's calling and lot of prayers went in for this," said Rev Marandih.

On his immediate priorities, the bishop said he will work for a spiritual renewal within the Church of North India.

"I will also focus on youths and for unity and witness in the Church. No person should feel inferior or isolated, our unity will be made more evident," he added.

Besides a new moderator, the Synod also elected Rev Pradeep Kumar Samantaroy, Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar, as the deputy moderator.

The Oct. 6-9 event drew nearly 450 diocesan representatives, fraternal delegates, mission partners, and institutional heads.

The four days meeting centered on the theme "Arise and Build: Fear not, for I am With You Always".

The Church of North India is the largest Protestant denomination in northern India and has about 1.3 million members and 3,500 congregations in 26 dioceses.