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 lead the annual festival that celebrates Mary Matha in Vijaywada.[3] Raja Rao lead 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

  1. ^ a b "Joseph Raja Rao is bishop of Vijayawada Diocese". The Hans India. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Cheney, David M. (25 February 2024). "Bishop Joseph Raja Rao Thelegathoti, S.M.M.: Bishop of Vijayawada, India". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ Lanka, Venu (1 February 2024). "Centenary Celebrations Begin At Gunadala Mother Mary Shrine". Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "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.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Raja_Rao
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