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It is with great sadness that we have received the news of demise of former Bishop of Church of North India (CNI) and the former Associate General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), Bishop Dr George Ninan, who breathed his last on 21 June.
Bishop George Ninan is considered by many as the “ People’s Bishop” through his exemplary work for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden, through the Urban-Rural Mission of the CCA, Hong Kong for over a decade since 1979. Before he joined the CCA as a staff, he had already shown his commitment for the urban poor by founding the Bombay Urban-Industrial League for Development (BUILD) in 1973, which defended the rights of thousands of poor slum-dweller from the mega city Mumbai.
He was awarded a scholarship from the WCC for his doctoral studies in the USA.
After his retirement, he went to the United States of America to be with his children, who were based there. Even there he continued to provide leadership to the people’s movement both in India and USA. At the age of 80, he breathed his last in New York and will be laid to rest there on 27 June. He is survived by his wife Rachel George and three children.
As we mourn his death and the loss of a great ecumenical leader in him, we pray that the Indian churches will continue his legacy to work for the betterment of the poor and marginalised people.
On behalf of the WCC, I express sincere condolences to the bereaved family and members of the CNI.
May his memory be eternal and his legacy continues.
Yours in Christ,
Georges Lemopoulos
WCC acting general secretary
