Making History: Rev. Jose George Appointed Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Kollam–Kottarakkara
Shibi Peter On August 3, at the CSI Headquarters in Chennai, the official announcement of Rev. Jose George’s appointment as Bishop of the Kollam–Kottarakkara Diocese marked a decisive moment in the ecclesiastical journey of the Church of South India (CSI). This event is not merely an administrative transition but a historic milestone in the life of the CSI in Kerala—a history that began with the formation of the Travancore–Cochin Anglican Diocese in 1879 and subsequently expanded into six Dioceses of Church of South India within the Kerala Region. The consecration of Rev. Jose George bears particular historical significance, as he becomes the first Dalit priest in 58 years to be elevated to episcopal leadership, following the consecration of Bishop T.S. Joseph in the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. This act of recognition thus represents far more than the continuity of episcopal succession; it embodies the long-deferred affirmation of communities historically relegated to the margins of bot...