CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese Takes Herstorical Steps Toward Gender Justice

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Shibi Peter 

“Can we honestly expect the total contribution of women to the life of the Church? This is the crucial question which the Church has to face today.”
— Sr. Carol Graham, Women in the Indian Church (1948)

The 73rd Council Meeting of the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese, which concluded on 15 December 2023 in Kottayam, marked a significant turning point in the Church’s journey toward gender justice. For the first time in its 76-year history, the Diocese took three remarkable and progressive steps:

1. Election of the First Woman Registrar
In a historic decision, Advocate Sheeba Tharakan was elected as the Registrar of the Diocese—the first woman to hold this office. This groundbreaking moment highlights the Church’s growing commitment to inclusive leadership.

2. Implementation of the POSH Act
The Council unanimously passed a resolution to implement a policy in line with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act (POSH, 2013). The motion was introduced by two dynamic young women councillors, Ms. Neethu Jose and Ms. Neethu Sajeesh. This is the first known instance of any church in Kerala formally adopting the POSH framework—setting a new benchmark for gender justice and women’s safety in ecclesiastical institutions.

3. Call for Women's Ordination
Bishop Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian, in his presidential address, made a heartfelt appeal to the Council to reopen and act upon the long-pending issue of women ordination. Although the Church of South India officially approved the ordination of women in 1984, the Madhya Kerala Diocese has yet to implement it. The bishop's call comes at a symbolic time, as the Women's Fellowship celebrates 75 years of devoted service—making it a timely and bold prophetic gesture.

Adv. Sheeba Tharakan: A Trailblazer in Church Leadership
Adv. Sheeba Tharakan is a distinguished legal professional and a long-time leader within the Church. She has served on the Diocesan Executive Committee and several key boards and was a member of the Synod Executive Committee of the Church of South India. Born into a Jacobite Christian family, she is the daughter of Adv. K.C. Philipose Tharakan (Olassa Kalappurackal) and Ms. Shanta Thomas. She joined the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese after her marriage to Mr. Madhu John in 1994.

An alumna of CMS College, Kottayam, and a law graduate from Mangalore University, she is also a member of the Kerala Bar Council and a prominent advocate for women's rights in both ecclesiastical and public spheres.

Her election as Registrar reflects a larger movement toward empowering women to fully participate in the life of the Church. While the Church of South India already ensures 33% reservation for women, her leadership will undoubtedly inspire more women to assume active roles in Church governance.

POSH Policy: A Landmark for Churches in India
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, enacted in 2013 by the Government of India, was a landmark in safeguarding women from workplace misconduct. The Diocesan Council’s adoption of this policy demonstrates its commitment to gender-sensitive ministry and workplace ethics.

Earlier this year, the Diocese also showcased its openness to gender diversity by inviting Rev. Esther Bharathi, India’s first transgender priest, as the chief guest for the Women’s Fellowship’s 75th Jubilee celebrations in Kottayam—a gesture that reflected theological courage and radical hospitality.

Women’s Ordination: A Kairos Moment for the Diocese
While the Church of South India approved women's ordination four decades ago, the Madhya Kerala Diocese has remained resistant. Nevertheless, multiple efforts have been made over the years by clergy and laity alike to raise this concern. In this context, Bishop Cherian’s statement is both timely and theologically significant. It aligns with the Diocese’s evolving vision for a more inclusive and egalitarian church community.

As the Women's Fellowship celebrates its legacy, the call for women's ordination stands as a prophetic sign of renewal and hope—inviting the Diocese to live into the fullness of its mission.

A Church in Transition: The Spirit of Equity and Mission
The question Sr. Carol Graham raised nearly 75 years ago—regarding women’s full participation in Church life—remains central to the Church of South India’s understanding of justice and discipleship. However, the path forward demands continued theological dialogue and cultural discernment.

The CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese has long stood as a beacon of progressive Christian witness—embodying the missionary spirit and democratic ethos of the Church of South India. The recent decisions taken by its Council not only mark a new chapter in the Diocese’s history but also serve as a model for Christian communities across the country.


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