Bangalore 30 May 2024 (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 old age ailments. He made a visit to his own sister at Karuna Puram and breathed last. His funeral details are awaited. He was the Archbishop of Hyderabad (2011–2020) and Bishop of Warangal (1987–2011).
He was born on 24 April 1944, in Narimetta, Warangal Diocese. He was ordained priest on 21 December 1970. At the age of 42 he was appointed the second Bishop of Warangal on 17 November 1986 and he was ordained Bishop on 12 March 1987. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him at the age of 66 as the Archbishop of Hyderabad on 12 March 2011. He was installed as the tenth Archbishop Hyderabad on 5 May 2011. Pope Francis has accepted his resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad on 19 November, 2020.
Before appointing as the Bishop he was the 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 1984-1986.
As a Bishop he was the Chairman of Telugu Regional Youth Commission from 1987-1995. Chairman of 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 Licentiate in Pastoral Theology Catechetics from Pontifical Salesian University, Rome (1980-1983). At the age of 76 he was retired from the active episcopal ministry on 19 November 2020.
Dr. Stephen Alathara