Thumma Bala installed Archbishop of Hyderabad

Bishop Thumma Bala was on May 5 installed as the next Archbishop of Hyderabad.

The installation ceremony was held at St.Mary's Church in Secunderabad, attended by thousands of devotees including priests, bishops and heads of other faith organisations.

The Vatican Ambassador to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, and Archbishop of Visakhapatnam Diocese, Kagithapur Mariadas, led the ceremony for the Bishop's taking of office.

Bishop Bala was appointed as the new archbishop of Hyderabad by Pope Benedict XVI in March this year. Bishop Bala succeeds late Archbishop Marampudi Joji who had passed away in August 2010.

"There is no doubt that Bishop Bala who possesses a clear vision and deep faith, abides by gospel principles and values, and strives to follow closely his Master and Lord Jesus Christ, would lead effectively the Archdiocese of Hyderabad," said Fr Anthoniraj Thumma, Deputy Secretary, A.P. Bishops` Council.

"His simplicity and transparency, tireless labour and hard work, and capacity for systematic planning and decentralized administration are sure to make the Archdiocese of Hyderabad an effective instrument of love and service to the poor and channel of God`s Kingdom of Justice and Peace to all," he added.

Bishop Thumma Bala earlier served as the member of the Pontifical Council for Health Care (Vatican) and the CBCI Commission for Health care (New Delhi). Presently, he is the Chairman of the Commissions for Social Communications and Health of the Andhra Bishops` Council.

The diocese of Hyderabad was set up in the year 1886 and was raised to the status of an Archdiocese in 1953 with Bishop Mark Gopu as the first Archbishop. At present, the Archdiocese comprises of four civil districts of Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Medak and Nizamabad.