Transgender pastor among speakers at CSI conference

Briefing reporters about the conference, the Tiruchy –Thanjavur CSI diocese bishop G Paul Vasanthakumar said, this is a once in 20 years celebration in the state. 

Highlighting that the CSI has given equal opportunity and full support to the transgenders, the bishop said, the conference would specially focus on the experiences of the transgender pastors. “There are many trans gender pastors in CSI and Pastor Esther Bharathi would address the delegates on the second day of the conference to share her experiences,” the bishop said. 

“The conference used to be organised by each state of CSI region – Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana once in four years on a rotational basis. This year, Tamil Nadu has been given a chance to organise the event after 20 years,” he explained. 

Stating that there would be around 350 women delegates from 24 diocese of CSI, Paul Vasanthakumar said, all the speakers would throw light on the theme and address Biblical understanding, physiological and psychological understanding, socio-cultural orientation of masculinity and feminity and complexities in creation. The conference would end with 70-year celebrations of the CSI, the bishop said. With a strong force of the organising committee headed by Lily Vasanthakumar, president of the Women’s fellowship, the conference would have displays of handmade products from the villages adopted by the church.