Media Release
New Delhi, Oct 4: Devprasad Ganawa, SVD, bishop of Udaipur, passed away on Sunday, October 4, at the age of 74 following a massive cardiac arrest. He breathed his last at 11.45 am at St Teresa’s Hospital, Udaipur.
Bishop Ganawa experienced uneasiness and chest pain at the Bishop’s House in Udaipur in the morning. He was immediately rushed to St Teresa’s Hospital for medical attention. Despite the efforts of the medical team, he passed away at 11.45 am.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 7, at 10.00 am at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Udaipur.
Bishop Ganawa served as the Bishop of Jhabua from 2009 to 2012 and as the bishop of Udaipur from 2012 until his death in 2026.
Early life and formation: Bishop Devprasad Ganawa was born on December 8, 1951 at Panchkui parish in the diocese of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh. He joined St Thomas Seminary, Mhow, in 1965 and made his first profession at Catholic Ashram, Khurda, Madhya Pradesh, in 1974.
He pursued his philosophical and theological studies at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, and was ordained a priest on October 27, 1982.
He also completed his bachelor of arts and master of arts at Government Arts and Commerce College, Indore.
Priestly ministry
Following his ordination, Fr Devprasad served as assistant parish priest at Khandwa Cathedral from 1982 to 1984 and at Khargone from 1984 to 1986.
He then served as assistant rector of St Thomas Seminary for one year. From 1992 to 1995, he was rector of the Catholic Ashram Juniorate at Palda.
He served as parish priest of Ranapur from 1995 to 2001 and subsequently as director of Maitri Sadan, Udaipur, from 2001 to 2008. During this period, he also served as a provincial councillor and diocesan councillor. In 2008, he was appointed parish priest of Meghnagar.
Episcopal ministry: Pope Benedict XVI appointed Fr Devprasad Ganawa as the bishop of Jhabua on May 11, 2009. He was ordained bishop on 16 June 2009.
After serving the diocese of Jhabua for three years, he was appointed bishop of Udaipur on December 21, 2012.
As bishop of Udaipur, he devoted himself to pastoral ministry and the development of the Church in the region, with particular attention to the poor, tribal communities and the formation of priests and religious.
His death is a significant loss to the Church in India, particularly to the dioceses of Udaipur and Jhabua and to the Society of the Divine Word. The CCBI conveys its heartfelt condolences to the clergy, religious and faithful of the diocese of Udaipur and to the members of his family and religious congregation. The Church commends his soul to the mercy of God and prays for the consolation of all who mourn his death.