In Kerala, a bishop cultivates climate justice at 6:30 am

In Kerala, a bishop cultivates climate justice at 6:30 am

valter

Wed, 07/29/2026 - 13:12

In one of the largest dioceses of the Church of South India, climate justice begins in a vegetable garden

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Bishop Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian in his integrated agricultural farm, demonstrating sustainable farming and care for God's creation.

Photo: CSI MKD Communications

Across Kerala, in south India, many farmers have walked away from the land, convinced a shifting climate has made cultivation too risky. Rt Rev. Dr Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian is walking back onto it. Each morning at 6:30, two hours before his first visitor arrives, the bishop of the Church of South India ’ s Madhya Kerala diocese is out among the long beans.

He works alongside a farm labourer: watering, checking irrigation lines, harvesting, turning soil. Only then does he take up the administration of nearly 400 parishes.

Farming, for him, is not a hobby. It is discipleship.

“ The land belongs to God. God has entrusted it to human beings to cultivate for the sustenance of life. If we neglect the land that God has given us, it is not merely…