By Matters India Reporter
Chennai, November 1, 2019: The Executive Secretary of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of India (UELCI) and the treasurer of the National Council of Churches of India (NCCI), Rev Dr. Augustine G. Jeyakumar, passed away on October 31 in Chennai.
Jeyakumar, an ordained minister of the Arcot Lutheran Church, was in the leadership of the UELCI for decades, serving in various capacities. He was also active in the Indian ecumenical movement.
Dr Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of Christian Conference of Asia expressed condolences on the demise of Jeyakumar.
Expressing deepest condolences to his family and the members of the UELCI, Chunakara said, “Rev Dr Jeyakumar was a committed ecumenist, and an ecclesiastical figurehead in the Lutheran communion of India. He was a beloved leader and was inspirational to a generation of young Christians. His demise has left a deep vacuum in India’s ecumenical movement.”
The UELCI is a communion of twelve culturally and ethnically diverse Lutheran churches in India. Before becoming the UELCI Executive Secretary, Jeyakumar headed the Department of Social Action of the UELCI, with the vision of creating a fair and sustainable society. He also served on the board of different ecumenical organisations and institutions.
He was at the forefront of promoting the rights of Dalits in India. He was respected among church people and also those who served in the social action sector.
The funeral service of Jeyakumar was held on November 1 Chennai and the burial will take place on November 2 in Kilkavarapet, near Chennai.