Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 19 December 2015 the Holy Father appointed Fr. Joseph Raja Rao Thelegathoti, S.M.M., Provincial Superior of the Montfort Missionaries in Bangalore as Bishop of the diocese of Vijayawada (India).
The newly-elected Bishop was born on March 8, 1952, in Peddautapally. After studying at Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada, Fr. Thelegathoti entered the Minor Seminary of St. Ambrose in Nuzvid after obtaining a B.A. degree. As a Montfort novice he studied philosophy at St. Peter’s Papal Seminary di Bangalore, and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Later, he obtained a licentiate in Biblical Theology at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, India, and a doctorate in Spiritual Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. After taking his final vows as member of the Montfort Missionaries on January 31, 1980, he was ordained a priest on June 7, 1980. Since his ordination he has held several pastoral and academic roles: 1980-1984: Rector of the Minor Seminary of the Monfort Community in Mysore; 1984-1990: Rector of the Monfort Comunity in Bangalore; 1984-1990: Provincial Councillor; 1990-1997: Provincial Superior; 1993-1997: Vice-President of the Conference of Religious of India (CRI); 1997-2004: New Foundation of Hospitaler of Mercy, in Rome; 2001-2004: Studies in Rome; 2004-2008: Director of Anugraha, Institute for poor children; 2006-2011: Director of the Monfort Marian Centre, Bangalore; 2008-2011: Provincial Council and Rector of the Maria Bhavan Monfort Theologate, Bangalore; since 2011-2015: Attorney General and Postulator of the Montfort Congregation, in Rome. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2015)
