Bengaluru (CCBI): Most Rev. Thumma Bala, (80), Archbishop Emeritus of Hyderabad, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 10.25 a.m. at Karuna Puram, in Warangal, due to ailments linked to old age. He has been the Archbishop of Hyderabad (2011–2020) and Bishop of Warangal (1987–2011).
He was visiting his sister at Karuna Puram where he breathed his last. The funeral details are awaited.
Born on 24 April 1944, in Narimetta, Warangal Diocese, he was ordained priest on 21 Dec 1970.
At the age of 42 he was appointed Second Bishop of Warangal on 17 Nov 1986 and was ordained Bishop on 12 March 1987.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Hyderabad on 12 March 2011. He was installed as the Tenth Archbishop of Hyderabad on 5 May 2011.
Pope Francis had accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad on 19 Nov 2020.
Before being appointed Bishop he was:
– 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 to 1986.
As a Bishop, he was:
– Chairman of the Telugu Regional Youth Commission from 1987-1995.
– Chairman of the 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 a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology Catechetics from the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome (1980-1983).
At the age of 76 he retired from the active Episcopal Ministry on 19 November 2020.
Report by:- Dr Stephen Alathara