Anthony Poola (born 15 November 1961) is an Indian prelate of the Catholic Church who has been Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad since 2021. He was Bishop of Kurnool from 2008 to 2020. Before becoming a bishop, he worked as a priest of the Diocese of Cuddapah.


Anthony Poola

D. D.
Cardinal, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseArchdiocese of Hyderabad
SeeHyderabad
Appointed19 November 2020
Installed3 January 2021
PredecessorThumma Bala
Previous post(s)
Orders
Ordination20 February 1992
Consecration19 April 2008
by Marampudi Joji
Created cardinal27 August 2022
by Pope Francis
RankCardinal Priest
Personal details
Born
Anthony Poola

(1961-11-15) 15 November 1961 (age 62)
DenominationChristianity
ResidenceIndia
ParentsSmt. Arogyamma (Mother)
Sri P. C. Anthony (Father)
Education
Alma mater
MottoGood news to the poor
Coat of armsAnthony Poola's coat of arms
Styles of
Anthony Poola
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeHyderabad

On 27 August 2022, Pope Francis elevated Poola to Cardinal at a consistory held in Vatican. He is the first of the Dalit caste and the first of Telugu ethnicity to be named a cardinal.[1]

Biography

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Anthony Poola was born on 15 November 1961 in Chindukur, Durvesi Parish, in the Diocese of Kurnool. When poverty forced to leave school after the seventh grade, missionaries took an interest in him and helped him continue his schooling.[2] After attending the Minor Seminary in Nuzvid, he studied at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary in Bangalore. He was ordained a priest on 20 February 1992 and incardinated in the Diocese of Cuddapah.[3]

He held the following positions: 1992-1993: parish vicar of St. Mary's Cathedral from 1992 to 1993; parish vicar in Amagampalli from 1993 to 1994; pastor in Tekurpet from 1994 to 1995; pastor in Badvel from 1995 to 2000; pastor in Veerapalli from 2000 to 2001. He studied for a master's degree in health pastoral care and took courses in theology at Loyola University Chicago. He also worked at St. Genevieve Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago.[3]

Returning to his home diocese of Cuddapah, he was director of the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging from 2004 to 2008. He was also Diocesan Consultor, Secretary for Education, Deputy Administrator of the Schools of the Diocese and Coordinator of the Sponsorship Program.[3]

On 8 February 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Kurnool.[3]

On 19 November 2020, Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad.[4] He was installed there on 3 January 2021.[5]

On 27 August 2022, Pope Francis made him a cardinal priest, assigning him the title of Santi Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hyderabad Archbishop Anthony Poola to be first Dalit cardinal". The News Minute. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  2. ^ "First Dalit Cardinal: My mission, help as many poor children as possible" (Interview). Vatican News. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Rinunce e Nomine, 08.02.2008" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 19.11.2020" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Rev. Anthony Poola installed as Archbishop of Hyderabad". Telagana Today. 3 January 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Assegnazione dei Titoli e delle Diaconie ai nuovi Cardinali" [Assignment of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals]. The Holy See (in Italian). Ufficio delle Celebrazioni Liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
Additional sources
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