PRESIDENT
MOST REV.DR.CHINNABATHINI BHAGYAIAH
EARLY LIFE
Most Rev. Dr. Chinnabathini Bhagyaiah the present Bishop of Guntur Diocese was born on September 19, 1956, at Motakondur-Yadagirigutta village and Mandal of Nalgonda diocese. After attending the minor seminary at Warangal he pursued philosophical and theological studies at St.John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad, capital of Telangana state. As per his educational qualification he holds a Master’s degree in Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and Masters in Education from Annamalai University, Chennai.
ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND MINISTRY
His Excellency was ordained a priest on May 3, 1983, for the diocese of Nalgonda. He discharged his duties as assistant and parish priest in a number of parishes in Nalgonda and even worked in England and Germany. He began his priestly ministry as assistant parish priest at St.Mary’s Church, Lingampally (1983-1985); Annunciation Church, Silveru, and Christ the King Church, Jedcherla (1985-1987); Sacred Heart Church, Bhirmaram (1987-1991) and holy Rosary Church, Kethepally (1991-1994).
In Germany Fr. Chinnabathini Bhagyaiah served as chaplain at Herford (1994-1995). Back in his diocese, he became director of the Kolping Centre and was in charge of the Diocesan Youth Centre (1995-2002). Subsequently he was appointed parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Kodad (2002-2003). Back in Nalgonda he was appointed director of the Kolping Centre, in- charge of the Diocesan Youth Centre (1995-2002).Subsequently he was appointed parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Kodad (2002-2003); assistant parish priest in a parish in England in (2003-2005); parish priest at St. Mary’s Church, Hannover, Germany (2006-2007); and again parish priest at St. Mary’s Church, Hannover, Germany (2007-2011). Since 2011, Fr. Chinnabathini Bhagyaiah has been parish priest at the Infant Jesus Shrine of Miryalaguda, Nalgonda diocese until his appointment as Bishop of Guntur on June 25, 2016.
The Diocese of Guntur is one of the 13 dioceses in the State of Andhra Pradesh in the southern part of India. It is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam where Most Rev.Dr.Mallavarapu Prakash is the archbishop. The diocese of Visakhapatnam is one of the dioceses of Andhra Pradesh, South India.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
I, as the President, of the Guntur Diocese Social Service & Welfare Society (GDSS&WS), am extremely happy to be associated with this great social institution of our diocese. I have been closely following its various social welfare activities in empowering tens of thousands of rural communities and its significant impact on the rural poor and the villages are noteworthy.
In the recent past GDSS&WS had played a key role in upgrading the learning and health environment of our schools in rural and urban sectors by improving educational, health and sanitation facilities providing quality education to the numerous poor children. These are definitely innovative, relevant and inspiring.
GDSS&WS efforts in motivating and mobilizing the children, parents, village elders and village officers to be a part and parcel of implementing projects are highly commendable and a true manifestation of its unique achievement. I greatly appreciate and wholeheartedly congratulate the dedication and commitment of Rev. Dr. Rayanna Govindu, the Executive Director and his team of helpers.
I am confident that GDSS&WS will continue to scale greater heights and reach out effectively to many and poorer people who are looking for support and encouragement in their lives.
I extend my best regards to all the members of GDSS&WS and wish them every success in all their endeavours.
+ Chinnabathini Bhagyaiah
Bishop of Guntur