By Bishop Duleep de Chickera

A reflection for Women’s International Day

As the world keeps Women’s International Day my mind goes back to a recent meeting with the first Indian woman Bishop; probably Asia’s first as well. (1) We were both in Kerala to participate at the Annual Convention of the Church of South India, Madhya Kerala Diocese.

Bishop Pushpa Lalitha of the Nandyal Diocese of the Church of South India is full of faith and good intention. She spoke very appreciatively of those who had encouraged her ministerial journey; many of whom were men. One of them had even predicted greater responsibility for her through the Church. These were the early days when she was cutting her teeth as a woman Presbyter (Priest)in search of a feminine identity in a predominantly male religious ethos.

In conversation with her,two distinct aspects of the spirituality of women were reconfirmed. Women are more prone to share their spirituality through stories and,they are more ready to acknowledge their vulnerability. There is little doubt that endowed with these gifts Bishop Pushpa Lalithas’ Episcopate will bring a new dynamism to the life of the Indian Church.

There are some other interesting happenings around Bishop Pushpa-Lalithas’ appointment. She was the preferred candidate from among ten candidates, nine of whom were men. And, much more commendable for the Church; she was the only woman Presbyter in the Diocese among eighty plus other male colleagues when this decision was made.

Also, this very progressive and welcoming step occurred in the former conservative Anglican Diocese of Nandyal, which opted to stay out of the historic Union of some Churches of South India in the late nineteen forties. The Diocese of Nandyal however joined the Church of South India some years later and has once again created history; this time,of a much more creative nature.

Trends – proven and anticipated

Bishop Pushpa-Lalitha’s explanation for this remarkable shift is forthright as it is prophetic. The people wanted her as Chief-Shepherd because she had proved her integrity with money. Prior to her episcopal appointment she had served with great acceptance and transparency as Diocesan Treasurer. Proven stewardship with material resources, though not the only qualification, is intrinsic to higher stewardship with human resources.

The course ahead for Bishop Pushpa Lalitha will not be easy; the pioneers’ journey is always tough. In fact her life and work are already under greater scrutiny. That the affirmative male peer support she already receives (from the House of Bishops) will equip her for what lies ahead, is equally predictable.

However, the most obvious and welcoming prediction is that her appointment will inevitably lead to the emergence of other women Bishops. This was the case with the appointment of the first Dalit Bishop in India; others soon had to follow. Hopefully however, this still to be trend, of women Bishops, will soon impact on the rest of Asia as well.

Hope for women-Hope for the Church

I observed the expression on the faces of the women of the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese as she addressed them; they were a mix of admiration and hope. Here was a clear message to a Diocese yet to ordain women; men and women were to take note that the equal leadership of women was being recognised at the most sensitive level.

The reminder that Bishop Pushpa Lalitha offers our commemoration of Women’s International Day is, that in a world in which women rise to be recognised as equals with men in all spheres of life,the Church too is called to demonstrate this truth with seriousness and urgency.

With Peace and Blessings to all

1. A Lutheran Denomination in India apparently had a chief woman Pastor referred to as Bishop some years ago, but this tradition is at variance with the Historic Episcopate and the Historic three fold Ministerial Order. COURTESY: THE ISLAND