Learning about the Diocese of Guntur India

Guntur Diocese

History Till 1940, Guntur formed a part of the Diocese of Nellore. On February 23, 1940, the civil district of Guntur was detached from the Diocese of Nellore and constituted into the new Diocese of Guntur with Msgr Thomas Pothacamury as its First Bishop. The Telugu Catholics date as far back as 1699. During the Carnatic Mission founded by the French Jesuits, there was a large number of Catholics in the Telugu region. With the suppression of the Society of Jesus in 1773, the Paris Mission Society stepped in the field and great progress was made during the time of Bp Bonnand. Later in 1834, the Telugu districts were attached to the Vicariate of Madras which was first manned by the Irish Priests from Maynooth and All Hallows and next by the Mill Hill Fathers till the constitution of the diocese in 1940, when it was entrusted to the indigenous Diocesan Clergy. The Diocese of Guntur originally corresponded to the civil district of Guntur. In 1970, when Prakasam district was formed some taluks of Guntur district were taken over in the new district. Hence in 1977, by a decree of "Propoganda Fide" all the taluks in Prakasam district were handed over to the Diocese of Nellore except Addanki Taluk, which belongs to the Diocese of Guntur. Bp GALI BALI Born : Apr. 29, 1939 Priestly Ordn.: Dec. 19, 1964 Episcopal Ordn.: Oct. 23, 1984 Address: Bishop's House, Chandramoulinagar, Guntur - 522 007. Andhra Pradesh. Tel: (0863) 23 50 720 (O), 23 50 255 (P) Fax: (0863) 23 51 234 E-mail: galibali@hotmail.com >>>We had the honor of a visit today(and Sunday as well) of the good Bishop seen above.  Bishop Bali is traveling in America to raise awareness of his diocese and to raise some funds.  Bishop Bali spoke of the strong Catholic faith throughout his diocese in India but he also discussed the challenges from the weather and the economic conditions.  Most of Guntur is on the seacoast so they receive hurricanes and other violent weather.  Many of the people live in huts that are easily blown over in strong wind and heavy rain.  He also shared with us how many work very hard jobs for the equivalent of $ 2-3 per day. Finally, Bishop Bali shared the need for support of local seminarians.  The Bishop explained that he could use $ 500 per seminarian to pay for one year of formation.  They do have many who express desire to join the seminary but many are turned away, in part, due to lack of money. Perhaps you may want to help the good Bishop out.  His address is listed above.