Rev. Dr. Udumala Bala set to be installed as Archbishop of Visakhapatnam Archdiocese on April 3

Vishakapatnam: Rev. Dr. Udumala Bala is all set to be installed as the new Archbishop of Visakhapatnam Archdiocese on April 3.

The installation ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral Grounds, Gnanapuram, Visakhapatnam.

The Eucharistic celebration will be led by Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, who represents Pope Francis in India.

Church leaders from across the country will participate in the event, including His Eminence Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Cardinal Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad, who will preside over the celebration, and His Eminence Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop Emeritus of Bombay, who will deliver the homily.

A Gathering of Church Leaders and Faithful

The ceremony will be attended by Archbishops, Bishops, Provincial Superiors, priests, religious, and lay faithful from various dioceses. The event will include a liturgical celebration, followed by a felicitation program and a festal dinner.

History of the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam

The Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam traces its origins to 1845, when it was established as the Visakhapatnam Pro-Vicariate. It was later raised to the status of Vicariate Apostolic in 1850, Diocese in 1886, and finally an Archdiocese in 2001. Today, it comprises 83 parishes and mission stations, served by 90 diocesan priests along with members of various religious congregations.

Over the past 175 years, the Archdiocese has played a key role in establishing churches, schools, healthcare centers, and faith formation programs to serve the Telugu-speaking Catholic community.

Archbishop Udumala Bala: A Life of Service

Born on June 18, 1954, in Gudur Village, Warangal, Telangana, Most Rev. Dr. Udumala Bala comes from a devout Catholic family. His early priestly formation began at St. Pius X Minor Seminary, Warangal, followed by theological studies at St. John’s Regional Seminary, Hyderabad. He was ordained a priest on February 20, 1979.

Between 1979 and 1986, he served in pastoral ministry, later taking on administrative roles, including Treasurer and Rector of St. John’s Seminary (1994–2006). He completed his Doctorate in Christian Ethics in Rome and has held leadership positions in the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), including serving as its Deputy Secretary General (2006–2013) and Chairman of the Commission for Vocations, Seminaries, Clergy, and Religious (2015–2023).

He was appointed Bishop of Warangal in 2013 and later served as Apostolic Administrator of Khammam from 2022 to 2024. On February 8, 2025, Pope Francis appointed him as the Archbishop of Visakhapatnam.

A New Chapter for the Church in Coastal Andhra

With decades of experience in pastoral, academic, and administrative leadership, Archbishop Udumala Bala assumes his new role as the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam. His leadership will guide the local Church in its mission of evangelization, education, and social service. The installation marks the beginning of a new phase in the Archdiocese’s journey, continuing its commitment to faith and community service.