Media Release

Warangal, May 30: Most Thumma Bala, (80), Archbishop Emeritus of Hyderabad, passed away on Thursday, May 30, at 10.25 am at Karuna Puram, in Warangal, due to old age ailments. He made a visit to his own sister at Karuna Puram and breathed last. His funeral details are awaited. He was the archbishop of Hyderabad (2011–2020) and bishop of Warangal (1987–2011).

He was born on April 24 1944, in Narimetta, Warangal Diocese. He was ordained priest on December 21, 1970. At the age of 42 he was appointed the second Bishop of Warangal on November 17 1986 and he was ordained Bishop on March 12, 1987. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him at the age of 66 as the Archbishop of Hyderabad on March 12, 2011. He was installed as the tenth Archbishop Hyderabad on May 5, 2011. Pope Francis has accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad on November19, 2020.

Before appointing as the bishop he was the rector of St Paul's Regional Catechists' Training Centre, Nuzivid, Vijayawada diocese from 1978-1980. Professor of Catechetics at St John's Regional Seminary, Hyderabad from 1984-1986. Procurator at St John's Regional Seminary Hyderabad from 1984-1986.

As a bishop he was the Chairman of Telugu Regional Youth Commission from 1987-1995. Chairman of Jyotirmai Society from 1990 to 1995. Chairman of Regional Catechetical Commission: 1987-1995. Chairman of CBCI Health Commission 2002-2006. Member of Pontifical council for Health Care Apostolate, Vatican: 2002 -2007. He holds licentiate in pastoral theology catechetics from Pontifical Salesian University, Rome (1980-1983). At the age of 76 he was retired from the active episcopal ministry on November 19, 2022.