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.