ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Sr. Benigna Menezes*
The prelate led the diocese of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. At his farewell Mass, he invited the faithful to thank God for the decade of peace and growth. Among his merits he promoted interfaith harmony and encouraged the education of Catholic youth, with particular attention to the poor.
Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - Thousands of faithful, one hundred nuns and priests, religious and collaborators attended the farewell Mass for Msgr. Prakash Mallavarapu, Bishop of Vijayawada for 10 years, who is leaving the diocese for a new pastoral assignment entrusted by Pope Benedict XVI: the Archdiocese of Vishakapatnam, composed of three districts over an area of about 26 thousand km2, with a history of almost 200 years behind it. Waiting for him in his new diocese are over 250 thousand Catholics, where he can count on the collaboration of 154 diocesan priests and over 500 religious. But a piece of his heart and his story will forever remain in Vijayawada, where he helped the community grow in an atmosphere of peace and harmony with other religions. On 7 August he paid his last respects to the Marian shrine of Gundala, during a moving celebration of the Eucharist which ended with his invitation to the faithful to come and visit him in his new mission territory.
Torn between the joy of his appointment as Archbishop of Vishakapatnam and sadness for his last celebration as bishop of Vijayawada, plus the uncertainty of the future of the diocese, the faithful did not want to miss their chance to bid farewell to Msgr. Mallavarapu (pictured). He presided over the Eucharistic celebration, inviting those present to thank God for the decade of peace and growth that has characterized the diocese.
In his homily Fr. Marianna, an expert in canon law and close associate of the bishop, spoke of Msgr. Prakash's tireless battle for a better education of young Catholics, particularly those of the poorer sections of the population. They, too, the bishop repeatedly stressed in his mission, should enjoy the right to education.
To achieve the objective, in the past ten years the bishop campaigned for the construction of schools, youth hostels and shelters. This was part of his determination to bring access to study and literacy even among members of the local Church. Msgr. Prakash also established an atmosphere of peace and harmony, promoting interfaith dialogue and service to the poor, sick, outcast and the full emancipation of women.
Andhra Pradesh is the fifth state in India with a total population of 84.6 million people. Of these, 1.7 million are Catholics, divided into 13 dioceses. These are about 1000 parishes, 11 thousand priests and more than 7 thousand religious. Vijayawada is the third largest city in the state. In it, Christians are more than 10% of the total population (about one million people). For 10 years it was led by Msgr. Prakash Mallavarapu, born in 1949 and ordained a priest 30 years later. On 22 July 1998 his appointment as Bishop of Cuddapah, on July 22, 2002 he was transferred to the diocese of Vijayawada.
The ceremony of his installment as archbishop - presided by the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio - were held on August 9 at the Cathedral of Vishakapatnam.
* Missionary of the Immaculate, a congregation women religious linked to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).
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by Sr. Benigna Menezes*
The prelate led the diocese of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh for 10 years. At his farewell Mass, he invited the faithful to thank God for the decade of peace and growth. Among his merits he promoted interfaith harmony and encouraged the education of Catholic youth, with particular attention to the poor.
Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - Thousands of faithful, one hundred nuns and priests, religious and collaborators attended the farewell Mass for Msgr. Prakash Mallavarapu, Bishop of Vijayawada for 10 years, who is leaving the diocese for a new pastoral assignment entrusted by Pope Benedict XVI: the Archdiocese of Vishakapatnam, composed of three districts over an area of about 26 thousand km2, with a history of almost 200 years behind it. Waiting for him in his new diocese are over 250 thousand Catholics, where he can count on the collaboration of 154 diocesan priests and over 500 religious. But a piece of his heart and his story will forever remain in Vijayawada, where he helped the community grow in an atmosphere of peace and harmony with other religions. On 7 August he paid his last respects to the Marian shrine of Gundala, during a moving celebration of the Eucharist which ended with his invitation to the faithful to come and visit him in his new mission territory.
Torn between the joy of his appointment as Archbishop of Vishakapatnam and sadness for his last celebration as bishop of Vijayawada, plus the uncertainty of the future of the diocese, the faithful did not want to miss their chance to bid farewell to Msgr. Mallavarapu (pictured). He presided over the Eucharistic celebration, inviting those present to thank God for the decade of peace and growth that has characterized the diocese.
In his homily Fr. Marianna, an expert in canon law and close associate of the bishop, spoke of Msgr. Prakash's tireless battle for a better education of young Catholics, particularly those of the poorer sections of the population. They, too, the bishop repeatedly stressed in his mission, should enjoy the right to education.
To achieve the objective, in the past ten years the bishop campaigned for the construction of schools, youth hostels and shelters. This was part of his determination to bring access to study and literacy even among members of the local Church. Msgr. Prakash also established an atmosphere of peace and harmony, promoting interfaith dialogue and service to the poor, sick, outcast and the full emancipation of women.
Andhra Pradesh is the fifth state in India with a total population of 84.6 million people. Of these, 1.7 million are Catholics, divided into 13 dioceses. These are about 1000 parishes, 11 thousand priests and more than 7 thousand religious. Vijayawada is the third largest city in the state. In it, Christians are more than 10% of the total population (about one million people). For 10 years it was led by Msgr. Prakash Mallavarapu, born in 1949 and ordained a priest 30 years later. On 22 July 1998 his appointment as Bishop of Cuddapah, on July 22, 2002 he was transferred to the diocese of Vijayawada.
The ceremony of his installment as archbishop - presided by the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio - were held on August 9 at the Cathedral of Vishakapatnam.
* Missionary of the Immaculate, a congregation women religious linked to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).
SHARED FROM ASIA NEWS IT
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