Kerala Council of Churches

Kerala Council of Churches or KCC is a regional ecumenical organisation of the Protestant and Oriental Orthodox Churches in Kerala, India. KCC is an affiliate of the National Council of Churches in India. Its constitution states "The Kerala Council of Churches is autonomous and inter-confessional, comprising Churches in Kerala and Christian Organization".[1] The jurisdiction of the council is also limited by the constitution to the state of Kerala.

Kerala Council of Churches
AbbreviationKCC
Formation1940
TypeNGO
PurposeEcumenism
HeadquartersThiruvalla
Location
Region
Kerala
Official language
Malayalam
Secretary General
Adv. Prakash P Thomas
President
Rt.Rev. Dr. Oommen George Church of South India
Key people
H. G. Alexios Mar Eusebius , Fr. Sijo Pandapallil, Lebi Philip Mathew, Aneesh Kunnapuzha
Parent organization
NCCI
Subsidiaries15 churches and 21 organizations
AffiliationsNational Council of Churches in India
Websitewww.keralacouncilofchurches.org

Kerala council of Churches has 15 member churches or dioceses from Kerala along with more than 21 member organizations working within Kerala. The four dioceses of the Church of South India (CSI) within Kerala are separate members in the council as well as the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church and its Knanaya Archdiocese having separate memberships as well.

Structure

Triennial General Assembly

The general assembly of the council is held every three years with delegates from each of the member churches and associated organisations where matters relating to the election of the presidium, membership, organisations are deliberated and decided along with a common theme which is studied and explored.

The last Triennial was held at the Joseph Marthoma Camp Centre, Kombadi, Thiruvalla from 14 to 16 November 2019. The theme for this assembly was "God who listens to the Cries of the Margins"

Due to the Covid 19 and subsequent events the triennial which is due in 2022 have not taken place as on date.

Executive Committee and the Presidium

It is in the General assembly that the presidium and the Executive Committee of the Kerala Council of Churches is elected from the delegates sent by each of the member church and organizations. Each church can nominate one or two of their delegates as the executive committee members depending on their demographic size.

The Executive Committee meets in between the three years to decide upon matters that arise.

Office Bearers

President : Bishop Dr. Oommen George

General Secretary: Adv. Prakash P. Thomas

Key Executive Committee Members
  • Most. Rev. Alexios Mar Eusebius
  • Rev. Fr. Sijo Pandapallil
  • Rev. L.T. Pavithrasingh
  • Mr. Anish Kunnapuzha
  • Mr. Jogy P. Thomas
  • Commander T.O. Aleyas
  • Mr. Lenoj Chacko
  • Fr. Jose Karicam

Member Churches
  1. Believers Eastern Church
  2. Chaldean Syrian Church
  3. Church of God in South India
  4. CSI East Kerala Diocese
  5. CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese
  6. CSI North Kerala Diocese
  7. CSI South Kerala Diocese
  8. St.Thomas Evangelical Church of India
  9. Jacobite Syrian Christian Church
  10. Malabar Independent Syrian Church
  11. Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
  12. Malankara Syrian Knanaya Archdiocese
  13. Mar Thoma Syrian Church
  14. The India Evangelical Lutheran Church
  15. Bible Faith Mission Church The Salvation Army Church

Emblem

The Emblem of the Council consists of a circular image with a coconut tree, sea and a boat with the motto "You shall be my Witness" engraved around.

Desks

There are five desks handling five areas that are deemed important by the KCC. Each desk is headed by a faculty elected by the Executive committee of KCC.

  • Youth and Communication Desk /EYF
  • Women and Ecology Desk /EWF
  • Dalit, Tribal and Social Concerns Desk
  • Faith & Unity, Dialogue, and Pastoral & Evangelistic Desk
  • Education and Current Affairs Desk

Commissions and Regional Zones

The Council has constituted various commissions to give particular attention to issues that need extra attention. The commissions are headed by chairpersons elected from the delegates at the General assembly. Commissions on Youth, Social Concern, Dialogue, Women, Environment, Current Affairs, and Education currently function.

The Council also has various regional zones in the different parts of the Kerala state. They include Thiruvalla, Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Ranni, Kollam, Aluva, Kumbanad, Malappuram, Kottayam, Kottarakkara etc.

References
  1. Constitution of Kerala Council of Churches, Manganam, 2001
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