Supreme Court of India decides key case.

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed the claims of the Church of North India (CNI) that it is the legal successor of the First District Church of the Brethren in India. "This decision affirms the continuing legal existence of the church as well as the trusts, and vindicates the position of the Brethren in India," according to Darryl Sankey, communicator for the Church of the Brethren in India. There has been no comment from CNI.

This legal ruling in early May provides clarity that may help to resolve claims to church properties, reported Merv Keeney, executive director of Global Mission Partnerships for the Church of the Brethren General Board. The properties have been an ongoing source of tension between the two churches.

The First District Church of the Brethren in India, which emerged from Brethren mission efforts begun in 1895, joined in the movement toward formation of CNI in 1970. Some Brethren members and congregations began leaving CNI in 1978.

The General Board has maintained an official relationship with CNI since its formation in 1970, but re-forming the relationship with the India Brethren is relatively new. Following the split between these segments of the church in India, a review of the India relationships brought an Annual Conference study and response in 1988. More recent review of this relationship led to an action by the 2003 Annual Conference to affirm rebuilding relationship with the India Brethren alongside the relationship with CNI.

"While we might assume that a Supreme Court decision has immediate impact, the situation in India is not as automatic," Keeney said. "It appears that even a ruling by this national court will take time to impact the communities where CNI and the Brethren exist together."

Source: 9/14/2005 Newsline
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