Bangalore 29 May, 2022 (CCBI): Pope Francis announced that Abp. Anthony Poola (60) of Hyderabad will be elevated as Cardinal at a Consistory on Saturday, 27 August 2022. This announcement was made on 29 May 2022. Pope also announced 20 new other Cardinals from around the world. They represent the Church worldwide, and reflect a wide variety of cultures, contexts and pastoral ministries.
Archbishop Anthony Poola was born on 15 November, 1961, at Chindhukur, Andhra Pradesh. He joined the minor seminary in Kurnool and then studied at St. Peter’s Pontifical Major Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained priest on 20 February, 1992. At the age of 46 he was appointed as the Bishop of Kurnool on 8 February, 2008 and was ordained Bishop on 19 April 2008. At the age of 59 He was appointed as the Archbishop of Hyderabad by Pope Francis on 19 November, 2020. He was installed as the eleventh Archbishop on 3 January, 2021.
He has served in the following ministries: 1992-1993: Assistant at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Maria Puram, Kadapa; 1993-1994: Assistant Parish Priest at Amagampalli; 1994-1995: Parish Priest at Tekurpet, Correspondent RCM Elementary Schools, Chinayarasal and Kappalapalli; 1995-2000: Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Badvel, Director St. Thomas Boarding Home, Badvel; 2000-2001: Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Veerapally; Correspondent RCM UP School, Veerapally and Konasamudram, Director – Vander Valk Boy’s Boarding Home; 2001-2002: Resident priest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo Diocese, U.S.A.
2002-2003: Associate Pastor at St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Chicago; 2003-: Coordinator for CFCA – Secretary for Education Society, Deputy Manager, RCM Schools, Diocese of Cuddapah, Editor of CFCA Samachara Lekha; 2008-: Bishop of Kurnool;2008-2015: Chairman for Youth Commission Telugu Region; 2008-2015: Chairman for Scheduled Castes/Backward Classes Commission; 2008-2020: Chairman for Andhra Pradesh Social Service Society; 2014-2020: Secretary General and Treasurer of Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Conference; 2014-2020: Chairman of the Sikh Village Campus, Secretariat for TCBC Priests Community; 2014-2020: Chairman for Jeevan in-state Printing Press.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Alathara
Deputy Secretary General, CCBI