The Rt Rev. ARGST. Barnabas has been Consecrated as the new Bishop of the Tirunelveli Diocese of the Church of South India (CSI) in a solemn service held at CSI Holy Trinity Cathedral at Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu today, the 21st of November 2021. He is the Sixteenth Bishop of the Diocese.
Rt Rev. ARGST. Barnabas has been elevated to this high office after a long and effective ministry in the diocese in various capacities for more than 35 years of his ministry. Bishop was born on 17th March 1960, ordained as a Deacon on 11th June 1985 and as a Presbyter on 11th June 1986. He is having rich pastoral experience and worked in several pastorates of the CSI Tirunelveli Diocese. He served as the Secretary of the Pastoral Standing Committee Secretary from 2003 to 2007, Clerical Secretary from 2012-2016 and the Trustee, TDTA from 2012-2016. He served as a Council Chairman of South Church Council during 2003-2004 and West Church Council during 2020-2021. He served as a CSI Synod Member from 2003-2005 and 2005-2007, CSI Executive Committee Member from 2003-2005, CSI Administrative Committee Member for the Tirunelveli Diocese from 2017-2018 and Special Invitee for the CSI Synod in 2017. He served as a Youth Director of the Diocese from June 1985 to May 1991. He is an active member in the Mission to the Seafarers Centre, Tuticorin. He did his Chaplaincy Training at International Training Centre at New Jersey and New York, USA from 1996-1997. He has completed Advanced Chaplaincy Training in International Training Centre at New Jersey from 2002-2003. He served at St. Philips & Resurrection Anglican Church, Woodridge, New York Diocese from 1996-1997 and St. Clement’s Anglican Church, Belfast, New Jersey from 2002-2003. The Rt Rev. ARGST. Barnabas has a great exposure in attending various World Mission Conferences and Consultative forums at Derby Shire, England; Durban, South Africa; Toronto, Canada; Hamburg, Germany and so on. He was active in attending North America Maritime Association (NAMA) Conferences at Baltimore, USA and Quebec, Canada.
The Rt Rev. ARGST. Barnabas’ wife Mrs Joy Jemima is a Retired Graduate Teacher. She completed her Bachelor of Arts (B.A) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed). Bishop Amma is a great source of strength to Rt Rev. ARGST. Barnabas and she actively engaged in the Women’s Ministry of various pastorates and started many prayer cell groups, fasting prayers and nurtured women in the spiritual aspects. The couple is blessed with 2 children. Daughter: Mrs Paulin Cedric has done her M.A in English Literature, very talented Singer and composed many Tamil songs. She is married to Mr Cedric, who is an IT Professional and they live at Brisbane, Australia. Son: Mr Sam Thomas did his B.C.A and B.D from UBS, Pune and currently he is rendering his services at World Vision India at Chennai, he is an expert Musician and produced many Christian albums. Bishop’s father, late Mr Abraham Rathinasamy was a Primary School Head Master and Church Worker and Mother, Late Mrs K.P Grace was a Secondary Grade Teacher.
May the Triune God bless him to lead the Diocese of the Tirunelveli of the Church of South India with zeal and enthusiasm!
