Ecumenical Relationships

The Mar Thoma Church has forged a significant communion relationship with the Anglican Communion. As the Mar Thoma Church stands as a permanent member within the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion, this relationship represents decades of theological dialogue and mutual understanding. Agreements were signed separately with respective churches in different parts of Oikumene, including partnerships in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and Arabian Gulf regions.

This historic partnership holds particular importance as the Mar Thoma Church and the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada signed an agreement at the WCC Vancouver Assembly. The Nilakal Committee played a crucial role in bringing together all the churches in Kerala to develop a common front and focused action around a 'Common Altar,' fostering unity and collaborative ministry across denominational boundaries.

The Christian Conference of Asia was established as the East Asia Christian Conference following a pivotal decision by churches, national councils of churches, and national Christian Councils who convened at Prapat, Indonesia in March 1957. The inaugural Assembly took place in 1959 at Kuala Lumpur, marking a new era of Asian Christian cooperation.

The Mar Thoma Church has been actively represented in its leadership, with Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma serving as one of the four members of the Presidium of CCA. This participation demonstrates the church's commitment to strengthening Christian witness and collaboration across Asia.

The Mar Thoma Church has played a pivotal role in the formation and growth of the National Council of Churches in India, which represents the National Ecumenical Forum of the Christian Church in India. Previously known as the National Missionary Council established in 1914, the Diocese of North America and Europe actively participates as part of the National Council of Churches in the United States of America, extending the church's ecumenical witness internationally.

The Mar Thoma Church's ecumenical journey has traversed considerable distances, achieving remarkable milestones. Through the CSI - CNI - MTC Joint Council established in 1978, the church demonstrated its commitment to Christian unity. Not satisfied with this arrangement alone, the church pursued deeper fellowship, culminating in the establishment of the Communion of Churches in India in 2004.

The Mar Thoma Church has maintained active involvement with the Kerala Council of Churches since its inception. As the regional expression of the National Council of Churches of India, the KCC represents collaborative Christian witness in Kerala. The church's bishops have consistently provided leadership, serving as Presidents with the clergy taking on the responsibilities of General Secretaries, demonstrating sustained commitment to ecumenical cooperation at the state level.