The Church of North India (CNI) elected a new Primate at its 12th triennial synod. The Most Rev. Joel V. Mal, Bishop of Chandigarh, was elected to a three-year term and installed as the 10th Moderator of the CNI. He succeeds the Most Rev. Z. James Terom.

One of the four United Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Church of North India was formed in 1970 from the merger of the Anglican, Methodist, Baptist, Church of the Brethren and Disciples of Christ churches along with other protestant denominations.

A graduate of Bishops College in Calcutta and Lucknow University, Bishop Mal trained for the ministry at Union Theological College in Richmond, Va., and was elected Bishop of Chandigarh in 1988. During his tenure, the diocese has planted more than 100 new churches.

The synod began amidst a flurry of protests by a group calling itself the “People’s Synod,” who complained of corruption and episcopal misconduct within the CNI. Police were called to restore order and 300 protesters were forcibly moved away from the venue.

After the election of the new moderator was held, Bishop Terom met with the protestors and promised to form a committee to examine the corruption charges.

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