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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = Bishop
| type = Bishop
| honorific_prefix = Bishop
| name = Luther Abraham
| title = [[Bishop in Medak]]
| name = H. D. L. Abraham, [[Church of South India|CSI]]
| honorific_suffix = Assistant Bishop - in - [[Church of South India Diocese of Mysore|Mysore]] {{small|(1966-1968)}}<br />Bishop - in - [[Diocese of Medak of the Church of South India|Medak]] {{small|(1969-1975)}}
| image =
| alt =
| title = The Right Reverend
| caption =
| image =
| church = [[Church of South India]]
| image_size =
| archdiocese =
| alt =
| diocese =
| caption =
| church = [[Church of South India]] (''A [[United and uniting churches|Uniting church]] comprising [[Wesleyan Church|Wesleyan Methodist]], [[Congregational]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Anglican]] missionary societies – [[American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions|ABCFM]], [[United Society|SPG]], [[English Wesleyan Mission|WMMS]], [[London Missionary Society|LMS]], [[Basel Mission]], [[Church Missionary Society|CMS]], and the [[Church of England]])''
| see = [[Diocese of Medak of the Church of South India|Medak]]
| archdiocese =
| term = 1968–1975<ref name="George" />
| province =
| predecessor = [[Eber Priestley]]
| successor = [[B. G. Prasada Rao]]
| metropolis =
| diocese =
<!-- Orders -->
* [[Church of South India Diocese of Mysore|Mysore]] ''(present day<br> [[Karnataka Northern Diocese of the Church of South India|Karnataka Northern]], [[Karnataka Southern Diocese of the Church of South India|Karnataka Southern]] and [[Karnataka Central Diocese of the Church of South India|Karnataka Central]])''
*[[Diocese of Medak of the Church of South India|Medak]]
| see =
| elected = <!-- or | appointed = -->
| term = 1969–1975<ref name="George" />
| quashed = <!-- or | retired = -->
| predecessor = ''Position created'' (in Mysore)<br>[[Eber Priestley]], CSI (in Medak)
| successor = ''Position discontinued'' (in Mysore)<br>[[B. G. Prasada Rao]], CSI (in Medak)
| opposed =
| other_post =
<!---------- Orders ---------->
| ordination = 1940, Adoni<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
| ordination = 1940, Adoni<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
| ordained_by =C. B. Firth of the [[London Missionary Society]]
| ordinated_by =
| consecration = 17 November 1966<ref name="Gerhardus" />
| consecration = 17 November 1966<ref name="Gerhardus" />
| consecrated_by =
| consecrated_by = [[Norman C. Sargant]], CSI
| rank =
| cardinal =
| created_cardinal_by =
<!-- Personal details -->
| rank = [[Bishop]]
| laicized =
<!---------- Personal details ---------->
| birth_name = Henry Divakara Luther Abraham
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1908|02|08}}<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1908|02|08}}<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
| baptised = <!-- will not display if birth_date is entered -->
| birth_place = [[Vikarabad]], Andhra Pradesh
| birth_place = [[Vikarabad]], [[Hyderabad state]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1987|01|01|1908|02|08}}<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1987|01|01|1908|02|08}}<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
| death_place = [[Bellary]], Karnataka
| death_place = [[Bellary]], [[Karnataka]]
| buried = <!-- or | tomb = -->
| previous_post = Assistant Bishop in Mysore
| resting_place_coordinates =
| nationality = <!-- use only when necessary per [[WP:INFONAT]] -->
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| residence =
| parents = <!-- Names of parents; include only if they are independently notable or particularly relevant. -->
| spouse = <!-- or | partner = -->
| children =
| occupation =
| previous_post = *Parish Priest - in - Hatcholli {{small|(1937-1945)}}, [[Adoni]] {{small|(1945-1948)}}, [[Bellary]] {{small|(1948-1966)}}<br>
*Spiritual Formator, Union Kanarese Seminary, [[Tumkur]] {{small|(1956-1962)}}
*Assistant [[Bishop]] - in - [[Church of South India Diocese of Mysore|Mysore]] {{small|(1966-1968)}}
| education =*[[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]]<ref name="ncci"/> ([[University of Madras|Madras]])<br>
*[[Bachelor of Divinity|B.D.]]<ref name="Directory"/> ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]])
| alma_mater = *Wardlaw High School,<ref name="Sabhapathy"/> [[Bellary]],<br>
*Ceded Districts College, [[Anantapur]],<ref name="NCS"/>
*[[United Theological College, Bangalore]]<ref name="Directory"/>
| motto =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| coat_of_arms =
| coat_of_arms_alt =
<!---------- Sainthood ---------->
| feast_day =
| venerated =
| saint_title =
| beatified_date =
| beatified_place =
| beatified_by =
| canonized_date =
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| canonized_by =
| attributes =
| patronage =
| shrine =
| suppressed_date =
<!---------- Other ---------->
| module =
| module2 =
| other =
}}
}}
{{Portal|Anglicanism}}


'''Henry Diwakar Luther Abraham''' (H. D. L. Abraham;<ref>''The Church of England Year Book'', Volume 2006, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, Great Britain, 1975. p.235. [http://books.google.com/books?id=--AAAAAAMAAJ&q=]</ref> known as Luther)<ref>[http://medakcathedral.org/about-us/about-bishops/third-bishop Medak Cathedral – Third Bishop]</ref> was the second successor of [[Frank Whittaker]] as [[Bishop in Medak]] and an able administrator.<ref name="George">K. M. George, ''Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997'', Jointly published by Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, New Delhi and Christava Sahitya Samithi, Tiruvalla, 1999. p. 56.[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=zmjZAAAAMAAJ&q=]</ref>
'''Henry Diwakar Luther Abraham''' (8 February 1908 – 1 January 1987)<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> (H. D. L. Abraham;<ref>''The Church of England Year Book'', Volume 2006, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, Great Britain, 1975. p.235. [https://books.google.com/books?id=--AAAAAAMAAJ]</ref> known as Luther)<ref>[http://medakcathedral.org/about-us/about-bishops/third-bishop Medak Cathedral – Third Bishop] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707040520/http://medakcathedral.org/about-us/about-bishops/third-bishop |date=7 July 2011 }}</ref> was the second successor of [[Frank Whittaker]] as [[Bishop in Medak]] and an able administrator.<ref name="George">K. M. George, ''Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997'', Jointly published by Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, New Delhi and Christava Sahitya Samithi, Tiruvalla, 1999. p. 56.[https://books.google.com/books?id=zmjZAAAAMAAJ]</ref>


==Writings==
==Writings==
* Church and Evangelism<ref>H. D. L. Abraham, ''Church and Evangelism'' in Joseph Houldsworth Oldham (Edited), ''International Review of Mission'', Volume 45, 1956. Also cited in ''The Congregational Quarterly'', Volume 34, Congregational Union of England and Wales, 1956. p.287. [http://books.google.com/books?id=sZg9AAAAYAAJ&q=]</ref>
* Church and Evangelism<ref>H. D. L. Abraham, ''Church and Evangelism'' in Joseph Houldsworth Oldham (Edited), ''[[International Review of Mission]]'', Volume 45, 1956. Also cited in ''The Congregational Quarterly'', Volume 34, Congregational Union of England and Wales, 1956. p.287. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sZg9AAAAYAAJ]</ref>
* The Teaching Ministry in My Diocese – Efforts and Deficiencies<ref>H.D.L.Abraham, ''The Teaching Ministry in My Diocese – Efforts and Deficiencies'' in ''South India Churchman'', Chennai, September 1973. Cited in ''Bangalore Theological Forum'', Volume 37, Bengaluru, 2005. p.53. [http://books.google.com/books?lr=&cd=2&id=-nnYAAAAMAAJ&dq=]</ref>
* The Teaching Ministry in My Diocese – Efforts and Deficiencies<ref>H.D.L.Abraham, ''The Teaching Ministry in My Diocese – Efforts and Deficiencies'' in ''South India Churchman'', Chennai, September 1973. Cited in ''[[Bangalore Theological Forum]]'', Volume 37, Bengaluru, 2005. p.53. [https://books.google.com/books?id=-nnYAAAAMAAJ]</ref>


==Appraisal by Scholars==
==Appraisal by Scholars==
K. M. George who authored ''Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997'':<ref name="George" />
K. M. George who authored ''Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997'':<ref name="George" />
{{quote|.....An able administrator, courageous and bold like Martin Luther and Abraham.}}
{{blockquote|.....An able administrator, courageous and bold like Martin Luther and Abraham.}}


N. Sabhapathy, a former Presbyter in Bellary who wrote about the life of Abraham:<ref name="Sabhapathy">N. Sabhapathy, ''A Short Sketch on the Life of Right Reverend H. D. L. Abraham'' in ''Lily of Sharon'', Volume 1, Issue 4, July 2007, Bellary. pp.7–9. ''Lily of Sharon'', a Registered Magazine in Karnataka (KARNEGO 3427/10/1/2006-TC), Published by G. H. David Sundaram on behalf of Christian Friends Association, Guru Colony, First Cross, Cantonment, Bellary 583 104 and printed by K. Bheema Reddy at Brindavan Offset Printers, Kalamma Street, Bellary.</ref>
N. Sabhapathy, a former Presbyter in Bellary who wrote about the life of Abraham:<ref name="Sabhapathy">N. Sabhapathy, ''A Short Sketch on the Life of Right Reverend H. D. L. Abraham'' in ''Lily of Sharon'', Volume 1, Issue 4, July 2007, Bellary. pp.7–9. ''Lily of Sharon'', a Registered Magazine in Karnataka (KARNEGO 3427/10/1/2006-TC), Published by G. H. David Sundaram on behalf of Christian Friends Association, Guru Colony, First Cross, Cantonment, Bellary 583 104 and printed by K. Bheema Reddy at Brindavan Offset Printers, Kalamma Street, Bellary.</ref>
{{quote|.....He seemed to have a good influence among Village Elders and Christians in many villages. A person of great talent blessed with good health and having a zeal for evangelism. He initiated jathara in accordance with the Indian culture in the Indian situation.}}
{{blockquote|.....He seemed to have a good influence among Village Elders and Christians in many villages. A person of great talent blessed with good health and having a zeal for evangelism. He initiated jathara in accordance with the Indian culture in the Indian situation.}}


==History, studies and contribution==
==History and studies==
Abraham was born on 8 February 1908<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> in [[Vikarabad]], Andhra Pradesh to Evangelist J. Y. Abraham<ref>Peter Penner, ''Russians, North Americans and Telegus: the Mennonite Brethren mission in India, 1885–1975'', Issue 10 Perspectives on Mennonite life and thought, Volume 10 of Russians North Americans & Telagus, Kindred Productions, 1997. p.79. [http://books.google.com/books?id=9ZMo4V4Ll8wC&pg=PA106&dq=]</ref> and [[Smt.]] Paranjyothamma<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> and studied at Wardlaw High School in [[Bellary]] from where he went to [[Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh|Anantapur]] and studied for a degree in Arts<ref>Norman Sargant, ''From missions to church in Karnataka, 1920–1950'', Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1987. [http://books.google.com/books?id=Ts0WAAAAIAAJ&q=]</ref> (BA)<ref>The National Christian Council review, Volume 93, National Christian Council of India, Nagpur, 1973. p.273.[http://books.google.com/books?id=xfbYAAAAMAAJ&q=]</ref> at the Ceded Districts (C.D.) College in Anantapur. He went to the [[United Theological College (Bangalore)|United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]] between 1934 and 1937.<ref name="Directory">The United Theological College, Directory 1910–1997, Bengaluru, 1997. p. 18. [http://books.google.co.in/books?id=yCvXPgAACAAJ&dq]</ref>
Abraham was born on 8 February 1908<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> in [[Vikarabad]], [[Telangana]] to Evangelist J. Y. Abraham<ref>Peter Penner, ''Russians, North Americans and Telegus: the Mennonite Brethren mission in India, 1885–1975'', Issue 10 Perspectives on Mennonite life and thought, Volume 10 of Russians North Americans & Telagus, Kindred Productions, 1997. p.79. [https://books.google.com/books?id=9ZMo4V4Ll8wC&pg=PA106]</ref> and [[Smt.]] Paranjyothamma<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> and studied at Wardlaw High School in [[Bellary]] from where he went to [[Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh|Anantapur]] and studied for a degree in Arts<ref name="NCS">[[Norman C. Sargant]], ''From Missions to Church in [[Karnataka]], 1920–1950'', Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1987. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ts0WAAAAIAAJ]</ref> (BA)<ref name="ncci">The National Christian Council review, Volume 93, National Christian Council of India, Nagpur, 1973. p.273.[https://books.google.com/books?id=xfbYAAAAMAAJ]</ref> at the Ceded Districts (C.D.) College in [[Anantapur]]. He went to the [[United Theological College (Bangalore)|United Theological College]], [[Bengaluru]] between 1934 and 1937.<ref name="Directory">K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), ''[[United Theological College (Bangalore)|United Theological College]], Directory 1910–1997, Bengaluru, 1997. p. 18. [https://books.google.com/books?id=yCvXPgAACAAJ]''</ref>


==Ecclesiastical ministry==
In 1937,<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> he was posted to Hacholli as Assistant Pastor and in 1940, he was ordained by C. B. Firth in [[Adoni]]. Abraham also established new congregations in Challakudlur, Ravihal, Lingaladinne and Chickbellary.<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> He seemed to have a good influence among Village Elders and Christians in many villages. E. Herbert Lewis, then Missionary supervised Abraham in his work. In 1945, Abraham was transferred from Hacholli to Adoni to a [[Kannada]]-speaking congregation.<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
===Pastor===
In 1937,<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> he was posted to Hacholli as Assistant Pastor and in 1940, he was ordained by C. B. Firth in [[Adoni]]. Abraham also established new congregations in Challakudlur, Ravihal, Lingaladinne and Chickbellary.<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> He seemed to have a good influence among Village Elders and Christians in many villages. E. Herbert Lewis, then Missionary supervised Abraham in his work. In 1945, Abraham was transferred from Hacholli to [[Adoni]] to a [[Kannada]]-speaking congregation.<ref name="Sabhapathy" />


Two years later, the [[Church of South India]] was formed on 27 September 1947. After serving three years in Adoni, Abraham was transferred to Bellary where he served till 1962.<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
Two years later, the [[Church of South India]] was formed on 27 September 1947. After serving three years in [[Adoni]], Abraham was transferred to [[Bellary]] where he served till 1962.<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> In 1953, he proposed to start a Jathara at Chickbellary during holy Easter week for three days under the [[mangroves]] of the River [[Tungabhadra]].<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> It was in April 1954 that the Jathara was held.


In 1953, he proposed to start a Jathara at Chickbellary during holy Easter week for three days under the [[mangroves]] of the River [[Tungabhadra]].<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> It was in April 1954 that the Jathara was held. In 1956, Abraham was sent to the [[Selly Oak Colleges]], Birmingham to lecture on Pastoria and Church Ethics for overseas missionaries. He was then assigned a teaching and administrative roles at the Union Kanarese Seminary in [[Tumkur]] before being transferred back to Bellary.<ref name="Sabhapathy" />
In 1956, Abraham was sent to the [[Selly Oak Colleges]], Birmingham to lecture on Pastoria and Church Ethics for overseas missionaries. He was then assigned a teaching and administrative roles at the Union Kanarese Seminary in [[Tumkur]] before being transferred back to [[Bellary]].<ref name="Sabhapathy" />


In 1962, Abraham was transferred to Cowlbazar,<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> [[Bellary]] where he began serving until 1966.
In 1962, Abraham was transferred to Cowlbazar<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> where he began serving until his consecration as Assistant Bishop in Mysore on 17 November 1966<ref>Rajaiah David Paul, ''Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India'', Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1972. p.146.[http://books.google.com/books?id=5cpWAAAAMAAJ&q=]</ref> at the St. Mark's Cathedral,<ref name="Gerhardus">Gerhardus Cornelis Oosthuizen, ''Theological battleground in Asia and Africa: the issues facing the churches and the efforts to overcome Western divisions'', C. Hurst, 1972. p.102.[http://books.google.com/books?id=PckRAQAAIAAJ&q=]</ref> Bengaluru by N. C. Sargant, Bishop in Mysore. After a year, Abraham was transferred to [[Medak]], thereby becoming the first Indian Bishop, to set right some long-pending problems and to provide stable leadership. Abraham retired in 1975 on reaching superannuation. When Abraham retired as Bishop in Medak, he settled down in Bellary.<ref>Mar Aprem, ''Indian Christian who is who'', Bombay Parish Church of the East, Mumbai, 1983. p. 50. [http://books.google.com/books?id=u2s5AAAAMAAJ&q=]</ref>


===Bishopric===
He also became the President of the College Council of [[Karnataka Theological College]], [[Mangalore]].<ref>Karl Ignaz Trübner in '' Richard Kukula (Edited), ''Minerva'', Volume 35,&nbsp;Part 2, W. de Gruyter, 1969. p.1554. [http://books.google.com/books?id=tjI6AAAAMAAJ&q=]</ref>
Abraham was consecrated as Assistant [[Bishop]] - in - [[Church of South India Diocese of Mysore|Mysore]] on 17 November 1966<ref>Rajaiah David Paul, ''Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India'', Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1972. p.146.[https://books.google.com/books?id=5cpWAAAAMAAJ]</ref> at the St. Mark's Cathedral,<ref name="Gerhardus">Gerhardus Cornelis Oosthuizen, ''Theological battleground in Asia and Africa: the issues facing the churches and the efforts to overcome Western divisions'', C. Hurst, 1972. p.102.[https://books.google.com/books?id=PckRAQAAIAAJ]</ref> Bengaluru by [[Norman C. Sargant]], [[Bishop]] - in - [[Church of South India Diocese of Mysore|Mysore]].


After more than two years' of shepherding in [[Karnataka]], Abraham was transferred and installed as [[Diocese of Medak|Bishop - in - Medak]] on 3.2.1969<ref>Rajaiah David Paul, ''Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India'', Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1972, p.159.[https://books.google.com/books?id=5cpWAAAAMAAJ&q=bishop+luther+abraham+mysore]</ref> to set right some long-pending problems and to provide stable leadership. Abraham retired in 1975 on reaching superannuation and settled down in [[Bellary]].<ref>[[Mar Aprem Mooken|Mar Aprem]], ''Indian Christian who is who'', Bombay Parish Church of the East, Mumbai, 1983. p. 50. [https://books.google.com/books?id=u2s5AAAAMAAJ]</ref>
The Synod of the Church of South India again sought Abraham to set right disturbances at the Diocese of Krishna-Godavari as [[N. D. Ananda Rao Samuel]], Bishop – in – Krishna Godavari had left the diocese in 1978<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> and sought refuge in Chennai, the Synodical Headquarters of the Church of South India. Abraham was again brought to Diocese of Northern Karnataka to act as Moderator's Commisary until the consecration of V. P. Dandin in 1981.<ref name="Sabhapathy" />

==Ex officio endeavours==
Abraham also became the President of the College Council of [[Karnataka Theological College]], [[Mangalore]].<ref>Karl Ignaz Trübner in '' Richard Kukula (Edited), ''Minerva'', Volume 35,&nbsp;Part 2, W. de Gruyter, 1969. p.1554. [https://books.google.com/books?id=tjI6AAAAMAAJ]''</ref>

The Synod of the Church of South India again sought Abraham to set right disturbances at the Diocese of Krishna-Godavari as [[N. D. Ananda Rao Samuel]], Bishop – in – Krishna Godavari had left the diocese in 1978<ref name="Sabhapathy" /> and sought refuge in Chennai, the Synodical Headquarters of the Church of South India. Abraham was again brought to Diocese of Northern Karnataka to act as Moderator's Commissary until the consecration of V. P. Dandin in 1981.<ref name="Sabhapathy" />


==References==
==References==
;Notes
;Notes
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|2}}
;Further reading
;Further reading
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{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-rel}}
{{s-rel}}
{{Succession box| before=[[Eber Priestley]] | title=Bishop in Medak | after=[[B. G. Prasada Rao]] | years=1968–1975}}
{{Succession box| before=[[Eber Priestley]] | title=Bishop - in - [[Diocese of Medak|Medak]],<br>[[Medak]] | after=[[B. G. Prasada Rao]] | years=1969–1975}}
{{Succession box| before=''Position created''| title=Assistant Bishop - in - [[Church of South India Diocese of Mysore|Mysore]],<br>[[Bangalore]] | after=''Position discontinued'' | years=1966–1968}}
{{S-hon}}
{{Succession box| before=[[Eber Priestley]]| title=Member, Board of Governors,<br>[[Andhra Christian Theological College]], <br>[[Rajahmundry]]/[[Secunderabad]] | after=[[B. G. Prasada Rao]]| years=1969-1975}}
{{S-aca}}
{{Succession box| before=| title=Seminary Teacher<br>Union Kanarese Seminary, <br>[[Tumkur]] | after=| years=1956-1962}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Abraham, Luther}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abraham, Luther}}
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:Anglican bishops of Medak]]
[[Category:Kannada people]]
[[Category:20th-century Anglican bishops in Asia]]
[[Category:Indian bishops]]
[[Category:Indian Anglicans]]
[[Category:Anglican Bishops of Medak]]
[[Category:20th-century Anglican bishops]]
[[Category:Indian Christian theologians]]
[[Category:Indian Christian theologians]]
[[Category:Indian priests]]
[[Category:Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni]]
[[Category:Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Indologists]]
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:1987 deaths]]
[[Category:Church of South India clergy]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]

Latest revision as of 18:48, 10 February 2024

Bishop

H. D. L. Abraham, CSI

Assistant Bishop - in - Mysore (1966-1968)
Bishop - in - Medak (1969-1975)
The Right Reverend
ChurchChurch of South India (A Uniting church comprising Wesleyan Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian and Anglican missionary societies – ABCFM, SPG, WMMS, LMS, Basel Mission, CMS, and the Church of England)
Diocese
In office1969–1975[1]
PredecessorPosition created (in Mysore)
Eber Priestley, CSI (in Medak)
SuccessorPosition discontinued (in Mysore)
B. G. Prasada Rao, CSI (in Medak)
Previous post(s)
  • Parish Priest - in - Hatcholli (1937-1945), Adoni (1945-1948), Bellary (1948-1966)
  • Spiritual Formator, Union Kanarese Seminary, Tumkur (1956-1962)
  • Assistant Bishop - in - Mysore (1966-1968)
Orders
Ordination1940, Adoni[2]
by C. B. Firth of the London Missionary Society
Consecration17 November 1966[3]
by Norman C. Sargant, CSI
RankBishop
Personal details
Born
Henry Divakara Luther Abraham

(1908-02-08)8 February 1908[2]
Vikarabad, Hyderabad state
Died1 January 1987(1987-01-01) (aged 78)[2]
Bellary, Karnataka
DenominationChristianity
Education
Alma mater

Henry Diwakar Luther Abraham (8 February 1908 – 1 January 1987)[2] (H. D. L. Abraham;[7] known as Luther)[8] was the second successor of Frank Whittaker as Bishop in Medak and an able administrator.[1]

Writings

[edit]
  • Church and Evangelism[9]
  • The Teaching Ministry in My Diocese – Efforts and Deficiencies[10]

Appraisal by Scholars

[edit]

K. M. George who authored Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997:[1]

.....An able administrator, courageous and bold like Martin Luther and Abraham.

N. Sabhapathy, a former Presbyter in Bellary who wrote about the life of Abraham:[2]

.....He seemed to have a good influence among Village Elders and Christians in many villages. A person of great talent blessed with good health and having a zeal for evangelism. He initiated jathara in accordance with the Indian culture in the Indian situation.

History and studies

[edit]

Abraham was born on 8 February 1908[2] in Vikarabad, Telangana to Evangelist J. Y. Abraham[11] and Smt. Paranjyothamma[2] and studied at Wardlaw High School in Bellary from where he went to Anantapur and studied for a degree in Arts[4] (BA)[6] at the Ceded Districts (C.D.) College in Anantapur. He went to the United Theological College, Bengaluru between 1934 and 1937.[5]

Ecclesiastical ministry

[edit]

Pastor

[edit]

In 1937,[2] he was posted to Hacholli as Assistant Pastor and in 1940, he was ordained by C. B. Firth in Adoni. Abraham also established new congregations in Challakudlur, Ravihal, Lingaladinne and Chickbellary.[2] He seemed to have a good influence among Village Elders and Christians in many villages. E. Herbert Lewis, then Missionary supervised Abraham in his work. In 1945, Abraham was transferred from Hacholli to Adoni to a Kannada-speaking congregation.[2]

Two years later, the Church of South India was formed on 27 September 1947. After serving three years in Adoni, Abraham was transferred to Bellary where he served till 1962.[2] In 1953, he proposed to start a Jathara at Chickbellary during holy Easter week for three days under the mangroves of the River Tungabhadra.[2] It was in April 1954 that the Jathara was held.

In 1956, Abraham was sent to the Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham to lecture on Pastoria and Church Ethics for overseas missionaries. He was then assigned a teaching and administrative roles at the Union Kanarese Seminary in Tumkur before being transferred back to Bellary.[2]

In 1962, Abraham was transferred to Cowlbazar,[2] Bellary where he began serving until 1966.

Bishopric

[edit]

Abraham was consecrated as Assistant Bishop - in - Mysore on 17 November 1966[12] at the St. Mark's Cathedral,[3] Bengaluru by Norman C. Sargant, Bishop - in - Mysore.

After more than two years' of shepherding in Karnataka, Abraham was transferred and installed as Bishop - in - Medak on 3.2.1969[13] to set right some long-pending problems and to provide stable leadership. Abraham retired in 1975 on reaching superannuation and settled down in Bellary.[14]

Ex officio endeavours

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Abraham also became the President of the College Council of Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore.[15]

The Synod of the Church of South India again sought Abraham to set right disturbances at the Diocese of Krishna-Godavari as N. D. Ananda Rao Samuel, Bishop – in – Krishna Godavari had left the diocese in 1978[2] and sought refuge in Chennai, the Synodical Headquarters of the Church of South India. Abraham was again brought to Diocese of Northern Karnataka to act as Moderator's Commissary until the consecration of V. P. Dandin in 1981.[2]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ a b c K. M. George, Church of South India: Life in Union, 1947–1997, Jointly published by Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, New Delhi and Christava Sahitya Samithi, Tiruvalla, 1999. p. 56.[1]
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q N. Sabhapathy, A Short Sketch on the Life of Right Reverend H. D. L. Abraham in Lily of Sharon, Volume 1, Issue 4, July 2007, Bellary. pp.7–9. Lily of Sharon, a Registered Magazine in Karnataka (KARNEGO 3427/10/1/2006-TC), Published by G. H. David Sundaram on behalf of Christian Friends Association, Guru Colony, First Cross, Cantonment, Bellary 583 104 and printed by K. Bheema Reddy at Brindavan Offset Printers, Kalamma Street, Bellary.
  3. ^ a b Gerhardus Cornelis Oosthuizen, Theological battleground in Asia and Africa: the issues facing the churches and the efforts to overcome Western divisions, C. Hurst, 1972. p.102.[2]
  4. ^ a b Norman C. Sargant, From Missions to Church in Karnataka, 1920–1950, Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1987. [3]
  5. ^ a b c K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), United Theological College, Directory 1910–1997, Bengaluru, 1997. p. 18. [4]
  6. ^ a b The National Christian Council review, Volume 93, National Christian Council of India, Nagpur, 1973. p.273.[5]
  7. ^ The Church of England Year Book, Volume 2006, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, Great Britain, 1975. p.235. [6]
  8. ^ Medak Cathedral – Third Bishop Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ H. D. L. Abraham, Church and Evangelism in Joseph Houldsworth Oldham (Edited), International Review of Mission, Volume 45, 1956. Also cited in The Congregational Quarterly, Volume 34, Congregational Union of England and Wales, 1956. p.287. [7]
  10. ^ H.D.L.Abraham, The Teaching Ministry in My Diocese – Efforts and Deficiencies in South India Churchman, Chennai, September 1973. Cited in Bangalore Theological Forum, Volume 37, Bengaluru, 2005. p.53. [8]
  11. ^ Peter Penner, Russians, North Americans and Telegus: the Mennonite Brethren mission in India, 1885–1975, Issue 10 Perspectives on Mennonite life and thought, Volume 10 of Russians North Americans & Telagus, Kindred Productions, 1997. p.79. [9]
  12. ^ Rajaiah David Paul, Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India, Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1972. p.146.[10]
  13. ^ Rajaiah David Paul, Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India, Christian Literature Society, Madras, 1972, p.159.[11]
  14. ^ Mar Aprem, Indian Christian who is who, Bombay Parish Church of the East, Mumbai, 1983. p. 50. [12]
  15. ^ Karl Ignaz Trübner in Richard Kukula (Edited), Minerva, Volume 35, Part 2, W. de Gruyter, 1969. p.1554. [13]
Further reading
  • Joseph Houldsworth Oldham (1956). "International review of mission". 45. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Rajaiah David Paul (1972). "Ecumenism in action: a historical survey of the Church of South India". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • K. M. George (1999). "Church of South India: life in union, 1947–1997". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Religious titles
Preceded by Bishop - in - Medak,
Medak
1969–1975 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Position created
 Assistant Bishop - in - Mysore,
Bangalore
1966–1968 		Succeeded by
Position discontinued
Honorary titles
Preceded by Member, Board of Governors,
Andhra Christian Theological College,
Rajahmundry/Secunderabad
1969-1975 		Succeeded by
Academic offices
Preceded by
 Seminary Teacher
Union Kanarese Seminary,
Tumkur
1956-1962 		Succeeded by
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