The primary cause for the lawsuit was Dr Cally Rogers-Witte herself. It was her letter dated July 3, 2007 that led to the dissident group declaring as they claimed the re-establishment of the American Ceylon Mission as from July 3, 2007 and they even stated that as from that day the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India was no more alive.
Part Two(October,25,Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) I am convinced the whole problem was stirred up by the Rev Selvadurai Jeyanesan who did not have the good grace to accept the decision of the Synod of the CSI which in his capacity as a minister of a church body is mandatory as an expression of his faith, dedication and commitment. There is no doubt that the Synod of the CSI that considered a number of candidates from the clergy of the JDCSI for the position of the bishop, made a responsible decision in selecting the Rev Dr Daniel Thiagarajah to head the diocese.
Bishop Thiagarajah has to his credit such academic qualifications as Bachelor of Divinity from Serampore, Diploma in German Studies from Madurai Kamaraj University, Master of Sacred Theology from the Christian Theological seminary, Indiana, USA and Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament Studies from the University of Jaffna. He has proficiency in Hebrew, Greek, German, English and Tamil. His professional experience in the mission field is wide and extensive. He has attended several conferences and seminars in various parts of the world and presented studied papers in some of them, published some of his writings and edited journals, translated to Tamil some of the books of the New testament and is well immersed in ecumenical church programmes.
In 2003, he was the first person outside the Russian Orthodox Church family to receive the Ecumenical Award, The Order of Russian Orthodox Church of St Grand Duke Vladimir III Degree from the Very Rev Oleg Cherepanin, Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarch) in the Kingdom of Thailand. This award was made in recognition of Bishop Thiagarajah’s missionary activities, the sermon of the Word of God and his organization of the help to the needy.
Doctorate from a primary school
In the case of the Rev Jeyanesan, an announcement by a certain Laurens van der Tang stated as follows in a Ceylon Christian Care News sheet dated June 9, 2005: “We are glad to inform you that Rev S Jeyanesan has been successful in the examination and defense of his thesis and is to be conferred with the title “Doctor of Theology” on the 4th of June 2005 in Canada. The subject was of his (sic) dissertation was theology and mission in conflict areas. Henceforth he shall be known and called as Rev Dr Jeyanesan. This is a tremendous achievement especially in light of the enormous amounts of work that Rev Jeyanesan has had on his shoulders in the past years. May the Lord continue to bless his labours.”
This declaration was signed on behalf of Ceylon Christian Centre which has its origins, it appears to be in Veenendaal in the Netherlands and works with the Rev Jeyanesan in Sri Lanka. It would be seen that while Bishop Thiagarajah was focused on his calling as a minister of faith and his committed involvement in ecumenical programmes in particular, the Rev Jeyanesan was only traveling widely raising funds and hardly ever administering this activity as an honest steward.
The decision to appoint the Rev Dr Daniel Thiagarajah by the Synod committee was unanimous and a correct one too. Present at the sessions was also the Rev Annappah Jebakumar of the JDCSI. He is today an active ally of the Rev Jeyanesan. It would seem that for some reasons or other, the Rev Jeyanesan was utterly desperate to become the bishop as evinced by some of his moves and actions prior to the decision made by the CSI Synod Executive Committee. Let me quote here a paragraph from a letter I sent to Dr Cally Rogers-Witte dated July 13, 2007.
“Following our telephone conversation Tuesday July 10, 2007 we agreed on a further discussion this morning (July 13). Since then I have had the opportunity to read your letter dated July 3 to the Rt Rev Dr Daniel Thiagarajah, Bishop of the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India (JDCSI) which has been inappropriately used by certain individuals to further exacerbate the rift that threatens the JDCSI at this moment.” The highly tenuous contents of this letter addressed to Bishop Daniel Thiagarajah dated July 3, had the following three paragraphs:
“Greetings from the Wider Church Ministries, abbreviated as WCM (formerly called United Church Board for World Ministries, abbreviated UCBWM), of the United Church of Christ.
“Greetings from the Wider Church Ministries, abbreviated as WCM (formerly called United Church Board for World Ministries, abbreviated UCBWM), of the United Church of Christ.
“In as much as we have been informed of the unusual and disturbing circumstances prevailing within JDCSI leading to a schism consequent upon your assuming office as Bishop and in as much as the Wider Church Ministries (formerly UCBWM and before that called the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission) has not this far appointed the new Body Corporate of the American Ceylon Mission since the retirement of the previous Bishop to manage the affairs of ACM institutions and movable assets held in the name of and on behalf of ACM in Sri Lanka, by virtue of powers vested in me as the Executive Minister of the Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ, I hereby direct that no changes be made in the management structures of the said institutions and in the status of any immovable assets until such time WCM (UCBWM) makes the arrangement for an alternative Body Corporate of the American Ceylon Mission.
“The status quo ante prior to your assuming office as Bishop should prevail. This decision is being communicated to all the heads of institutions as well as to the relevant Government and other authorities.”
Mischievous undertones and connotations
Firstly, Dr Cally Rogers-Witte has no such authority over the American Ceylon Mission in Sri Lanka and her stand has no basis whatsoever even for a thumb grip. Secondly it has mischievous undertones and connotations. Thirdly, the sentence that ends with the following words “ . . . . . . . .until such time WCM (UCBWM) makes the arrangement for an alternative Body Corporate of the American Ceylon Mission” appears to point clearly to a premeditated conspiracy to help the Rev Jeyanesan faction.
This conspiracy became more evident when a proclamation was made dated July 7, 2007 by the Jeyanesan faction announcing the re-establishment of the American Ceylon Mission that was inaugurated in 1816 and claiming that the “legal entity as Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India is no more alive and the American Ceylon Mission will not in anyway take responsibility in this respect.”
In the first paragraph, this proclamation announced: “This is to inform you that the majority members, congregations and the clergies of the former Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India have decided to revert back to the American Ceylon Mission and to relinquish all ties from the Church of South India. This decision came into effect from the 3rd of July, 2007.”
Third of July of 2007 is the date of the letter of Dr Cally Rogers-Witte referred to above to Bishop Daniel Thiagarajah and this should speak in volumes about how this lady has manifestly conspired with the Jeyanesan rebels. But even to this there is another angle how such a move was conspired in the office of Dr Cally Rogers-Witte in Cleveland, Ohio.
Let me quote again from my letter to this lady dated July 13, 2007: “You went far beyond the province of good judgment and common sense and made it available to some others (letter of July 3 to Bishop Thiagarajah copied to various people) who feasted on it to help in their determination to cause rupture within the JDCSI.
“Furthermore, in our conversation you repeatedly stated that I should talk to Dr James Vijeyakumar who I understand was seconded by the Church of South to serve a term with the Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ of which you are the Executive Minister. According to my inquiries, it appears Dr Vijeyakumar has been showing undue and partisan interests in the problems faced by the JDCSI which, if it were true would be detrimental to the Church of South India and in particular aiding mischief in matters pertaining to the JDCSI. I am very much prompted to forward this letter to Bishop Thiagarajah with the request that it be sent to the Office of the Moderator of Church of South India.
“I also gathered the impression in our conversation that you are dependent on Dr Vijeyakumar and even guided by him in matters related to the JDCSI, which you have for reasons I am unable to construe, taken upon yourself. Are you challenging the Office of the Bishop of Jaffna or indicating to him that you can override his authority?”
Having stated that plainly to Dr Cally Rogers-Witte, I felt it was necessary to impress on her that she had rushed into a position that was irrational, illogical and supportive of the dissident group engaged in deceptive and disruptive actions even amounting to criminal trespass.
In another paragraph in my letter to her I said: “I have further information you are acting in a mighty hurry far beyond your bounds and as if you have the authority over an institution that has by custom, convention and the legal process come under the JDCSI virtually 50 years ago. Your intention certainly appears to me as wanting to create maximum problems possible to the JDCSI and equally, maximum possible support and comfort to a dissident group determined to usurp the powers of the Bishop and the Executive Committee of the JDCSI and destroy its mission altogether."
Since there was an arrangement made on July 10, that I call her again on Friday July 13 once Dr Vijeyakumar was back in her office, based on what I had learnt since July 10, I felt there was no need to keep that appointment. In my email I indicated to her as follows: “In view of what I have stated here, a further telephone conversation with you is not warranted; even more with Dr James Vijeyakumar. I regret having to take such a stand.”
Absolutely partisan and devoid of good judgment
In a long and monotonous letter dated September 17, 2007 addressed to the Moderator of the Church of South India, the Most Rev Dr B P Sugandhar, the General Secretary of the CSI Dr Pauline Sathiamurthy and the Rt Rev Dr Daniel Thiagarajah, Dr Cally Rogers-Witte embarks on a rabid raccoon race as if she had such awful power and control over so many matters pertaining to the JDCSI in the mistaken belief that the ACM was under her authority. The enthusiasm she showed was pathetic; it was absolutely partisan and devoid of good judgment, even devious one may observe.
When Rip Wan Winkle woke up from his slumber he had a better understanding of what had happened during the time he was asleep; and that according to the tale was for many years. I highly recommend that fairy story to Dr Cally Rogers-Witte instead of taking upon her to be the fairy godmother to Rev Jeyanesan and his followers.
In one particular paragraph in this letter she stated: “I was just about to write to you in response to your letter, Bishop Sugandhar, when suddenly and very surprisingly we received unofficial word that leaders of the JDCSI had initiated a lawsuit against John Thomas, myself and Wider Church Ministries among others.” John Thomas is the General Minister and President of the Collegium of Officers of the United Church of Christ.
Dr Cally Rogers-Witte continued: “We have still not received an official notice of that lawsuit but persons who were also named as defendants have recently sent us copies. It is almost beyond my comprehension that a bishop of the Church of South India would sue a full communion partner of the Church of South India, and especially without any attempts on your part to communicate about unresolved issues. We would think that you would, at least, as a courtesy, have sent us a copy of the lawsuit.”
Now what is this lawsuit?
The primary cause for the lawsuit was Dr Cally Rogers-Witte herself. It was her letter dated July 3, 2007 that led to the dissident group declaring as they claimed the re-establishment of the American Ceylon Mission as from July 3, 2007 and they even stated that as from that day the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India was no more alive. In the light of this proclamation, the JDCSI was left with no option but to seek a Declaratory Order from the courts. In a civil society certain civilized norms do exist and the JDCSI was not left with any other option but to apply the laws of the land to assert and or to protect its rights. The ACM as an incorporated body under the laws of Sri Lanka has to appreciate Caesar’s authority, an obligation the JDCSI has to honour, and not have to hearken to whatever dictates that may flow from 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Should Dr Rogers-Witte need to be more educated on this civil right?
In the same letter she proceeds to stake a claim that the Wider Church Ministries have a right of authority over the American Ceylon Mission. The claim of the JDCSI as stated in the lawsuit is as follows:
“All historic accounts are unanimous in saying that thus, ‘The American Ceylon Mission’ established in 1816 and the Diocese (JDCSI) ‘merged into one’, ‘the Mission and the Diocese are now one body’ etc., clearly showing that the said Church Council has now become the JDCSI. The 1st Plaintiff (American Ceylon Mission) however remained to fulfill its sole function of holding property for and on behalf of the Church Council now called the JDCSI.”
Among many contentions in her letter two are of great significance. She has plain-facedly accused Bishop Thiagarajah or “persons connected with his leadership” as harassing the “dissenting church leaders” and that they (WCM) are eager that there be no continued harassment of or threats against church members and leaders who disagree with his leadership. This is a very serious charge that has been made by Dr Cally Rogers-Witte without any foundation whatsoever but certainly on hearsay and false reports which as I have indicated are regularly made available to her.
It is not without significance that in the report Rev Jeyanesan sent around after the grand ordination ceremony he held Sunday September 16 in Batticaloa, the beginning of the second paragraph carried this sentence: “The service was held amidst threats of possible disruption from the one who had grabbed the office of the bishop of the Jaffna Diocese of the South India and his coteries. The fact (sic) that the threats and intimidations were there.”
What an incredible way to write a report of such an event with a supposition that had absolutely no justification. The mischief intended is distinctly manifest. This kind of statement was made purely to increase his dollar hauls from the likes of Dr Cally Rogers-Witte in the US, Europe and Israel. This is the Jeyanesan hallmark of bilk and bamboozle. It also underlines in founding his church, the lofty principles and ideals of our faith have no bearing at all. This Church of the American Ceylon Mission is unashamedly materialistic seeking millions from the foolish and vulnerable with brazen insolence.
False to the utmost
There is no doubt this was one of the trumps – false to the utmost – Rev Jeyanesan was deceitfully using against Bishop Thiagarajah, and for a long time even before his appointment as the bishop. There were many incidents of harassment and even acts of violence but just about every one of them originated on the side of Rev Jeyanesan and his loyal strong arm buddy followers whether it was in the premises of Uduvil Girls College or Cathedral Churchyard or even at the Colombo Church when a worship service was forcibly taken over led by the Rev Milton Solomon, the Secretary of the so-called re-established American Ceylon Mission. How absolutely wrong Dr Cally Rogers-Witte can be in making such a serious charge. If she was not ignorant of what was really happening in Jaffna and Colombo, then she is a party to mischief to say the least.
It was also rather sad but certainly reflects on the nature and character of Rev Jeyanesan that in a report about the ordination he should talk about fears about possible disruptions from the “one who grabbed the office of the bishop” betraying without an iota of doubt why he has rebelled against the church and now determined to destroy the JDCSI altogether and even make a written claim that this church was no more alive. Surely it is not difficult for any person even with a pinhead bit of intelligence to understand the motivating reasons behind such an ill-thought of statement. Even on such a day as ordaining young priests Rev Jeyanesan was unable to be gracious. How can such a man be a leader of a church?
Dr Cally Rogers-Witte must be very careful about trying to give an impression that Rev Jeyanesan is not capable of harassment and violence. She had better start inquiring and investigating quite a few incidents while he was working as a circuit priest in Kilinochchi as a starter and she could very well come across some shocking findings. One in particular would be how a non-violent campaigner demanding the publication of the Kilinochchi YMCA was shot dead. Kilinochchi is altogether an entire chapter in the life of Rev Jeyanesan and cannot be part of my observations in respect of the issues I have raised here. She has to accept the fact and would very much be in her interests that whatever she may have heard about harassment against them – the Jeyanesan people - is entirely false.
Far outside her realms
A second major contention in her letter goes far, far outside her realms. Towards the end of her letter she has stated three conditions demanding that they be met. One of them has to do with Jaffna College. In an implied threat she indicates that she can recommend to the Trustees of Jaffna College Funds that they continue, and take additional steps to protect the mission of education under their stewardship. This is a matter for the Jaffna College Board of Directors and the Trustees of Jaffna College Funds and not for the WCM-UCC of which Dr Rogers-Witte is the Executive Minister. She had better keep out of this altogether.
In the paragraph dealing with this matter, Dr Cally Rogers-Witte states as follows: “And, unless we see significant movement on the part of the CSI and Bishop Thiagarajah toward successful reconciliation, and unless a majority of the churches and church leaders and members as well as leaders of institutions indicate they are satisfied that they are receiving sufficient and appropriate Episcopal oversight for their ministries and mission, we may have to consider other courses of action which may well include the following steps:
Recognition of the Church of the American Ceylon Mission as a partner of the United Church of Christ;
Suspension of partnership with the Church of South India until there is satisfactory resolution.
The third is about Jaffna College referred to above.
Why has Dr Cally Rogers-Witte ignored the position taken by the Church of the American Ceylon Mission in the letter dated July 7, 2007 written as a consequence to her letter of July 3, 2007? In that letter signed by Interim President the Rev T Thevanesan and Interim Secretary the Rev Solomon Milton they have taken the position that they have relinquished all ties with the Church of South India with effect from July 3, 2007 and that the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India “is no more alive,” a contention that it expressed in plain language.
What really is the position here?
The schism and the court application for a Declaratory Order were consequential to the letter of Dr Cally Rogers-Witte and the faction to which she offered comfort and support promptly making an announcement that it had relinquished all ties with the Church of South and even went further and said that the JDCSI was no more alive. Her charge that there was harassment against the rebel faction by Bishop Thiagarajah or persons from his camp has no foundation whatsoever while the opposite has been established beyond any doubt.
This is another instance, a very serious one at that too, where she has taken a false stand. In one of her communications she went to the extent of even stating that she could not accept Bishop Thiagarajah’s contention that there was no harassment against the dissidents. This was extremely rude and even more, juvenile if not a matter that should be deplored as could only be from someone who has no sense of fairness and justice.
In conclusion it must be crystal clear to Dr Cally Ann Rogers-Witte that virtually every problem that has affected the JDCSI is because Rev Jeyanesan failed in his bid to become the bishop of the JDCSI. In order to make his claim stronger, he even went to the extent of forging a doctorate from a questionable source in the Netherlands making him probably the first person in the world to get a doctorate from a primary school. It is possible a key reason for this may be he thinks he can tide over the issue of not having submitted his accounts for over a period of ten years during which time he has travelled widely raising funds in the name of the JDCSI. He probably still thinks that if he sets up his own church, he can yet tide over this problem.
Dr Cally Rogers-Witte stands by utter falsehood
Secondly, she should have raised the issue of accounts with Rev Jeyanesan as a prerequisite to whatever efforts she may make to bring back the rebels into the fold of the JDCSI. Why has she been silent on this matter? Why can’t she accept the word of Bishop Thiagarajah? Her statement that she cannot accept his word is not only arrogant and totally unacceptable but is humiliating to Bishop Thiagarajah and the JDCSI. He spoke the truth while Dr Rogers-Witte stands by utter falsehood propagated by the Rev Jeyanesan. Surely, by this time she should have come to know that the Rev Jeyanesan is a charming persuader but a confidence trickster in quest of dollars.
It is matter for the Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ to demand an explanation from Dr Cally Rogers-Witte for the most irresponsible, shabby and totally partisan manner by which she has handled the American Ceylon Mission issue with the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India. The ACM by custom, convention and instruments legal and otherwise has been succeeded by the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India. While a fraternal relationship between the WCM-UCC and the JDCSI would at all times be cherished and appreciated, the JDCSI is not the slave region of the WCM-UCC master state; this the good lady the Executive Minister of the Wider Church ministries should understand without a grain of doubt, appreciate in good faith and accept it as a finality with honour.
Concluded
Secondly, she should have raised the issue of accounts with Rev Jeyanesan as a prerequisite to whatever efforts she may make to bring back the rebels into the fold of the JDCSI. Why has she been silent on this matter? Why can’t she accept the word of Bishop Thiagarajah? Her statement that she cannot accept his word is not only arrogant and totally unacceptable but is humiliating to Bishop Thiagarajah and the JDCSI. He spoke the truth while Dr Rogers-Witte stands by utter falsehood propagated by the Rev Jeyanesan. Surely, by this time she should have come to know that the Rev Jeyanesan is a charming persuader but a confidence trickster in quest of dollars.
It is matter for the Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ to demand an explanation from Dr Cally Rogers-Witte for the most irresponsible, shabby and totally partisan manner by which she has handled the American Ceylon Mission issue with the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India. The ACM by custom, convention and instruments legal and otherwise has been succeeded by the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India. While a fraternal relationship between the WCM-UCC and the JDCSI would at all times be cherished and appreciated, the JDCSI is not the slave region of the WCM-UCC master state; this the good lady the Executive Minister of the Wider Church ministries should understand without a grain of doubt, appreciate in good faith and accept it as a finality with honour.
Concluded
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