Archdiocese of Hyderabad Celebrates 140 Years of Faith and Service

The Archdiocese of Hyderabad is marking the 140th anniversary of the establishment of its Catholic hierarchy, celebrating more than a century of faith, missionary work and service in the region. The Catholic presence in the Deccan dates back to earlier missionary efforts, with the Vicariate Apostolic of Hyderabad established in 1851. Missionaries, priests and religious men and women gradually expanded their pastoral work, establishing churches, schools and institutions serving local communities. A major milestone came on September 1, 1886, when Pope Leo XIII established the Catholic hierarchy in India and elevated the Apostolic Vicariate of Hyderabad to a diocese. Bishop Peter Caprotti became its first bishop. In 1887, St. Joseph’s Church at Gunfoundry was designated as the cathedral and became an important centre of Catholic life in Hyderabad. Over the decades, the Diocese of Hyderabad expanded considerably. Several new ecclesiastical territories were eventually created from areas that had originally been part of the diocese, including Bellary, Vijayawada, Warangal, Kurnool, Cuddapah, Nalgonda, Eluru and Khammam. Another significant milestone occurred on September 19, 1953, when Hyderabad was elevated to a metropolitan archdiocese. Archbishop Joseph Mark Gopu became its first archbishop. The archdiocese was subsequently led by Archbishop Samineni Arulappa, Archbishop Marampudi Joji and Archbishop Thumma Bala. In 2020, Archbishop Anthony Poola assumed leadership of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. His elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2022 marked a significant milestone for the Telugu-speaking Catholic community. In 2026, Cardinal Poola was elected president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). The 140-year journey is not limited to the history of bishops and church institutions. The archdiocese has recognized the contributions of missionaries, priests, religious women and men, catechists, families, teachers, healthcare workers, benefactors and lay faithful. Their work has supported evangelization, education, healthcare, social development, youth ministry, vocations and assistance to poor and marginalized communities. The anniversary is being presented as both a celebration of the past and a call to continued mission. The archdiocese is using the milestone to express gratitude for its history while encouraging the Catholic community to continue its faith and service in the years ahead.