Pope Francis appoints Bishop Udumala Bala as Archbishop of Visakhapatnam

Hyderabad: On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Udumala Bala, currently the Bishop of Warangal, as the new Archbishop of Visakhapatnam. This marks a significant leadership change for the Archdiocese.

Bishop Bala, born on June 18, 1954, in Ghanpur, Telangana, was ordained a priest on February 20, 1979. He has held various pastoral and administrative roles within the Diocese of Warangal. Notably, he served as the deputy secretary-general of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) in Bangalore and taught moral theology at St. John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad from 1994 to 2006. He also holds a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphonsian Academy in Rome.

Pope Francis appointed him as Bishop of Warangal on April 13, 2013, and he was consecrated on May 23, 2013, by Cardinal Oswald Gracias. During his tenure, Bishop Bala focused on strengthening pastoral care, education, and social services in the diocese.

In addition to his pastoral work, Bishop Bala served as the Rector of St. John’s Regional Seminary, Hyderabad, from 1997 to 2006 and also held administrative roles, including Chancellor and Procurator of the Diocese of Warangal.

As Archbishop of Visakhapatnam, Bishop Bala will lead a large Catholic community and oversee various institutions focused on education, healthcare, and social services. His extensive experience in theology, education, and administration positions him to guide the Archdiocese into a new chapter of spiritual growth and community service.