Rome/ New Delhi: The Holy Father Pope Francis on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Bishop His Excellency Msgr. Addagatla Innayya Chinna from the pastoral care of the diocese of Srikakulam of Andhra Pradesh. The announcement took place in Rome on Wednesday, 12th December, 2018, at noon, corresponding to 4:30 p.m. Indian time.
This follows close on the heels of the resignation by Bishop Prasad Gallela of Cuddapah, a city in the Rayalseema region of the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh.
Commenting on the development, Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, SFX, Secretary General, Catholic Bishops Council of India (CBCI) in a press release said, “We thank Bishop Addagathla Innayya Chinna for his dedicated services to the Church in Srikakulam and the Church in India, and we entrust him to the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Apostles.”
On Monday, the Vatican said Gallela had offered to resign and Pope Francis accepted the resignation. At 56, Gallela is well below the normal retirement age of 75 for bishops.