NCCI condoles the sad demise of its vice–president

Nagpur – India’s largest ecumenical body, the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) has expressed deep shock and grief at the sudden demise of the Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumari Samuel, Vice–President, NCCI.

“A highly gifted, versatile and multifaceted personality, she has left a deep imprint on the life of the Indian Church in general and the United Evangelical Church of India in particular. Her contribution to the Indian Church is invaluable and unparalleled,” said Bishop D.K. Sahu, in a press statement, March 17.

“A rare blend of woman, daughter, wife, mother, church–worker, leader, theologian, administrator, and more importantly, a friend, Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumari Samuel carried out the roles associated with each of these responsibilities, with ease and grace,” the bishop continued. “Her pleasing personality and straightforward approach endeared her to all, even her opponents.”

The late Rev. (Dr.) Samuel, by championing the cause of Women’s studies within Theological education and single handedly revitalizing the Women’s Desk in the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India had “demonstrated the coming of age of the women in the Indian Church.”

“Her tenure as the Vice–President of the National Council of Churches in India, though brief, was a period of positive influence,” Bishop Sahu reminisced. “Coming as it were when the National Council was passing through a difficult phase in her history, Dr. Prasannakumari’s contributions should be difficult to replace.”

“She gave the much–needed grace and vision to the proceedings of NCCI in its turbulent times. Her encouraging and heartening presence in the NCCI presidium will be sorely missed,” the bishop added.

“We uphold Dr. Samuel Meshack and the immediate family of Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumari Samuel and the wider family of the UELCI in prayers and assure of them of God’s love and comfort in the hour of grief,” he concluded.