Joseph Raja Rao
| Bishop Thelagathoti Joseph Raja Rao, SMM Bishop - in - Vijayawada | |
|---|---|
| The Right Reverend | |
| Church | Catholic Church (Societas Mariae Monfortana) |
| Diocese | Vijayawada |
| Appointed | December 19, 2015 |
| In office | 2015- |
| Predecessor | Prakash Mallavarapu, RCM |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Previous posts | Secretary General and Procurator General of Congregation, Rome (2011-2015) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 7, 1980 |
| Consecration | February 2, 2016 by Salvatore Pennacchio, Thumma Bala, Prakash Mallavarapu |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 8, 1952 Pedda Avutapalli, Krishna district, AP |
| Parents | Smt. Kamalamma and Sri T. Prabhudas |
| Occupation | Priesthood |
Telagathoti Joseph Raja Rao, SMM, is a Roman Catholic prelate; he has been the Bishop in the Diocese of Vijayawada, since 2016.[1][2]
He was born on 8 March 1952 (in some sources his native name comes last, and in other media sources it's usually omitted).[2] He took Solemn Vows on 31 January 1980 as a Member of Missionaries of the Company of Mary, and on 7 June 1980 was Ordained a Priest in that order.[2] On 19 December 2015, Pope Francis appointed him as Bishop of Vijayawada, India, and on 2 February 2016, he was Ordained Bishop.[1][2]
As the bishop whose jurisdiction includes a major Catholic shrine, since 2016, Raja Rao has led the annual festival that celebrates Mary Matha in Vijaywada.[3] Raja Rao led the Mass for the annual Gunadala shrine festival in 2023.[4] The prior year's festival had been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.[5] In 2024, Bishop Raja Rao participated in the celebrations marking the centenary of the Gunadala Mother Mary Shrine in Vijayawada.[6] He also participated in the 2025 Jubilee festivities.[7][8]
Raja Rao is ex officio a member of the board of the St. John's Regional Seminary.
References
- Back to citation occurrence 1.0 Back to citation occurrence 1.1 "Joseph Raja Rao is bishop of Vijayawada Diocese". The Hans India. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 Back to citation occurrence 2.2 Back to citation occurrence 2.3 Cheney, David M. (25 February 2024). "Bishop Joseph Raja Rao Thelegathoti, S.M.M.: Bishop of Vijayawada, India". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation "Devotees throng Mary Matha shrine for fest: The festival began with the holy mass early in the morning performed by Vijayawada Catholic Diocese's new bishop Rev. T. Joseph Raja Rao". Deccan Chronicle. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation "Thousands turn up for Gunadala Mary Matha Utsavams in Vijayawada: Bishop Raja Rao, Gunadala Shrine Rector Eleti William Jayaraju and other priests offer 'Samisti Divya Balipuja'". The Hindu. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation "The annual three-day Gunadala festival cancelled amid covid surge: In a press release issued here on Saturday, Raja Rao said that every year from February 9 to 11 devotees from across the State gather on Gunadala hill". The New India Express. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation Lanka, Venu (1 February 2024). "Centenary Celebrations Begin At Gunadala Mother Mary Shrine". Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation Ilyad, Mohammed (1 February 2025). "Grand Novena prayers begin at Gunadala: Bishop Raja Rao highlights Pope Francis declaring 2025 as a Jubilee Year and the blessings of honoring Mother Mary in God's salvation plan". Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- Back to citation "Gunadala Mary Matha fest in Vijayawada begins with devotion, thousands visit shrine: Bishop Raja Rao reflected on Pope Francis declaring 2025 as the Jubilee Year, describing the Gunadala Shrine as a place of divine miracles and solace". Express News Service, via New India Express. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 9 March 2025.