Roman Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada

Diocese of Vijayawada Dioecesis Viiayavadanus విజయవాడ డియోసెస్
Location
Country	India
Ecclesiastical province	Visakhapatnam
Metropolitan	Visakhapatnam
Statistics
Area	8,734 km2 (3,372 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2010) 5,038,000 277,673 (5.5%)
Information
Rite	Latin Rite
Cathedral	St Paul’s Cathedral in Vijayawada
Co-cathedral	St Peter’s Co-Cathedral in Vijayawada
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Thelagathoti J. Raja Rao, S.M.M.
Metropolitan Archbishop	Prakash Mallavarapu

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada (Latin: Viiayavadan(us)) is a diocese located in the city of Vijayawada in the Ecclesiastical province of Visakhapatnam in India.

History

• January 10, 1933: Established as Mission “sui iuris” of Bezwada from the Diocese of Hyderabad
• April 13, 1937: Promoted as Diocese of Bezwada
• October 21, 1950: Renamed as Diocese of Vijayawada

Leadership

• Bishops of Vijayawada (Latin Rite)
  • Bishop Thelagathoti J. Raja Rao, S.M.M. (February 2, 2016 - Present)
  • Bishop Prakash Mallavarapu (July 26, 2002 – July 3, 2012); named Metropolitan Archbishop of Visakhapatnam
  • Bishop Marampudi Joji (later Archbishop) (November 8, 1996 – January 29, 2000)
  • Bishop Joseph S. Thumma (January 23, 1971 – November 8, 1996)
  • Bishop Ambrose De Battista, P.I.M.E. (December 13, 1951 – January 23, 1971)

References

• GCatholic.org
• Catholic Hierarchy