India’s Protestant Church has laicized one of its bishops after he revolted and declared his diocese an autonomous church. The Church of North India (CNI) on Aug. 11 remo-ved Bishop Basil B. Baskey of Chotanagpur Diocese in Jhar-khand State in eastern India from his office. It also with-drew his ordination as a priest and a bishop.
The executive committee of its Synod, the top decision-making body, “unanimously resolved” to terminate the services of the bishop from all offices in the church, said an official statement.
The decision came after an internal probe found the bishop guilty of acts of revolt and indiscipline, the communique said.
“The instrument of election and appointment as bishop in the CNI issued to him by the moderator stands withdrawn and his ordination as priest and consecration as bishop are withdrawn. Hence, from today (Aug. 11), he will be known as Mr Basil B. Baskey,” it said. The official letter signed by CNI moderator Bishop P.C. Singh also appointed pastor Jolja Kujur, the diocesan secretary, as his representative to manage the affairs of the diocese, including its proper-ties and funds.