Fr. James – Priest, Pastor and Prophet.
When people recall Fr. James they often refer to his fine command of the English language and his well delivered sermons, his strong singing voice (in both Tamil and English) and his pastoral skills that built communities of trust wherever he served.
While these are aspects about him we are never to forget, I wish to highlight another side to Fr. James that only a few may have known. This was his passion for an equal church.
I vividly remember a stirring speech he made at Diocesan Council in favor of the ordination of women. His reasoning was known to have helped some with questions on women Priests, to change their minds in support of the resolution.
On a previous occasion he spearheaded a resolution that limited the period a vicar could serve in a parish, to a maximum of eight years. This led to a better rotation of clergy and their skills among congregations.
On still another occasion he eloquently supported an initiative that urged an equal Easter collection for all clergy. This in turn broke the previous practice of clergy receiving, the much or little, that their congregations offered at the Easter service.
All this and more was possible because Fr James was a man of integrity. He could be trusted with the care of people and to do the right thing for the Body of Christ.
In the finest Anglican tradition, Fr. James will consequently go down in history as a faithful Priest, Pastor and Prophet.
May he be blessed in the fullest communion with the triune God, and may Lathika, Prashadini and Ricky, Deveshta, Jayadeva, Helen, Grace and Toby, rejoice with thanksgiving for the privilege of sharing in such a life, so intimately.
Duleep de Chickera
Fr. James – Priest, Pastor and Prophet.
When people recall Fr. James they often refer to his fine command of the English language and his well delivered sermons, his strong singing voice (in both Tamil and English) and his pastoral skills that built communities of trust wherever he served.
While these are aspects about him we are never to forget, I wish to highlight another side to Fr. James that only a few may have known. This was his passion for an equal church.
I vividly remember a stirring speech he made at Diocesan Council in favor of the ordination of women. His reasoning was known to have helped some with questions on women Priests, to change their minds in support of the resolution.
On a previous occasion he spearheaded a resolution that limited the period a vicar could serve in a parish, to a maximum of eight years. This led to a better rotation of clergy and their skills among congregations.
On still another occasion he eloquently supported an initiative that urged an equal Easter collection for all clergy. This in turn broke the previous practice of clergy receiving, the much or little, that their congregations offered at the Easter service.
All this and more was possible because Fr James was a man of integrity. He could be trusted with the care of people and to do the right thing for the Body of Christ.
In the finest Anglican tradition, Fr. James will consequently go down in history as a faithful Priest, Pastor and Prophet.
May he be blessed in the fullest communion with the triune God, and may Lathika, Prashadini and Ricky, Deveshta, Jayadeva, Helen, Grace and Toby, rejoice with thanksgiving for the privilege of sharing in such a life, so intimately.
Duleep de Chickera
