Friday, March 18, 2011

BISHOP THUMMA BALA APPOINTED AS THE ARCHBISHOP OF HYDERABAD

On March 12, 2011, at about 5 p.m. the Hyderabad Archdiocesan office announced that Bishop Thumma Bala is appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the next Archbishop of Hyderabad to succeed late Archbishop Marampudi Joji who had passed away in August 2010. 

On March 12, 2011, at about 5 p.m. the Hyderabad Archdiocesan office announced that Bishop Thumma Bala is appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the next Archbishop of Hyderabad to succeed late Archbishop Marampudi Joji who had passed away in August 2010.

Bishop Thumma Bala was born on April 24, 1944 in the village of Narimetta, Warangal District to late Thumma Joji Reddy and Innassamma. After completing his priestly studies in St John`s Regional Seminary, Hyderabad, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Warangal on Dec. 21, 1970. 

He ministered as a parish priest in the town of Khammam and as the Director of Regional Catechists Training Center in Nuzvid. After this, he did his higher studies in Rome obtaining Licentiate in Catechetics. He returned to his alma mater to serve as the Administrator and Professor of Catechetics till he was elected a Bishop of his native diocese of Warangal.

Bishop Thumma Bala`s Episcopal ordination took place on March 12, 1987 at Fatima Cathedral, Kazipet. He took over the diocese as the second Bishop succeeding Bishop Alphonsus Beretta, an Italian missionary. 

In 1988, he got the civil district of Khammam separated and formed into a new Diocese of Khammam. He worked hard to develope the Diocese of Warangal consisting of the civil districts of Warangal and Karimnagar pastorally, educationally and in social development by erecting many new parishes, educational and health institutions and social service societies. 

This is year the Diocese of Warangal is celebrating the Episcopal Silver Jubilee of Bishop Thumma Bala and the Golden Jubilee of Fatima Cathedral.

Bishop Thumma Bala was the member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care (Vatican) and the CBCI Commission for Health care (New Delhi). Presently, he is the Chairman of the Commissions for Social Communications and Health of the Andhra Pradesh Bishops` Council (APBC) and the Chairman of the Amruthavani Communications Center, Secunderabad.

Bishop Thumma Bala is now asked to be the Metropolitan Prelate of the mother diocese of Warangal which was divided in 1952. The Archdiocese of Hyderabad itself was first made a Vicariate in 1851 and was established as a Diocese on September 1, 1886. 

It was raised to the status of an Archdiocese on September 19, 1953 with Bishop Mark Gopu as the first Archbishop. Over the years, many new dioceses were created from the original territory of the Archdiocese such as Bellary, Vijayawada, Warangal, Nalgonda, Aurangabad, Khammam and Gulburga. 

At present, the Archdiocese comprises of four civil districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak and Nizamabad. 

The Archdiocese with an area of 30,814 sq. kms and with a total population of around 12.37 million, has nearly 1, 03, 000 Catholics. About 120 Diocesan Priests, 140 Religious Priests, 40 Brothers and 880 Religious Sisters are active in the 100 parishes of the archdiocese.

The Catholic Church in the territory of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad runs about 150 educational institutions of which 5 are P. G. Degree Colleges, 22 Colleges, 14 Technical Institutions / school, 12 Junior Colleges and 61 High Schools.  

All theses educational Institutions render service to about 1.50 Lakh students. Apart from these, numerous beneficiaries benefit from the 9 Hospitals, 10 Dispensaries, and the developmental programmes of the Hyderabad Social Service Society (HASSS).

There is no doubt that Bishop Thumma Bala who possesses a clear vision and deep faith, abides by gospel principles and values, and strives to follow closely his Master and Lord Jesus Christ would lead effectively the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and the Metropolitan Province from the Capital City. 

His simplicity and transparency, tireless labour and hard work, and capacity for systematic planning and decentralized administration are sure make the Archdiocese of Hyderabad an effective instrument of love and service to the poor and channel of God`s Kingdom of Justice and Peace to all.