Bengaluru: Archbishop Thumma Bala, the former Archbishop of Hyderabad, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the age of 80 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 served as the Archbishop of Hyderabad from 2011 to 2020 and as the Bishop of Warangal from 1987 to 2011.
Born on April 24, 1944, in Narimetta, Warangal Diocese, Archbishop Bala was ordained a priest on December 21, 1970. At the age of 42, he was appointed as the second Bishop of Warangal on November 17, 1986, and was ordained a bishop on March 12, 1987. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as the Archbishop of Hyderabad on March 12, 2011, at the age of 66. He was installed as the tenth Archbishop of Hyderabad on May 5, 2011. Pope Francis accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad on November 19, 2020.
Before becoming a bishop, Archbishop Bala served as the rector of St. Paul’s Regional Catechists’ Training Centre in Nuzivid, Vijayawada diocese from 1978 to 1980, and as a professor of Catechetics and procurator at St. John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad from 1984 to 1986.
As a bishop, Archbishop Bala held several leadership positions within the Church. He served as the Chairman of the Telugu Regional Youth Commission from 1987 to 1995, the Chairman of Jyotirmai Society from 1990 to 1995, and the Chairman of the Regional Catechetical Commission from 1987 to 1995. He also served as the Chairman of the CBCI Health Commission from 2002 to 2006 and as a member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Apostolate at the Vatican from 2002 to 2007. Archbishop Bala held a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology Catechetics from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome, which he obtained from 1980 to 1983.
At the age of 76, Archbishop Bala retired from active episcopal ministry on November 19, 2020. His passing marks the end of an era for the Catholic Church in Hyderabad and Warangal, where he left an indelible mark through his dedicated service and leadership.
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