Christians mourn demise of "People's Bishop" in Andhra

Christians and people of other religious affiliations Sunday mourned the death of Most Rev. John Mulagada, the Bishop of Eluru in Andhra Pradesh.

Hailed as "People's Bishop", John Mulagada breathed his last on August 16, at a private hospital in Vijayawada. His mortal remains will be buried in the Cathedral of Eluru on Tuesday, August 18.

Bishop John Mulagada was the first bishop of Eluru and has served the diocese for the past 32 years. During his tenure, he instituted many developmental reforms, most notably his spiritual and educational reforms for the poor.

"The fruits of the careful tending of the vineyard by Bishop John are the 100 parishes of which 10 of them are pilgrimage centers with shrines frequented by people of all religions," says Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma, Deputy Secretary and Spokesperson for A.P. Bishops' Council (APBC).

"People in the area, irrespective of caste and creed are served by over 10 colleges, 200 schools, 70 orphanages, and about 40 hospitals and homes for the disabled facilitated by Bishop John, a devoted shepherd after His own heart," he adds.

Possibly the first Catholic Bishop from the Dalit community, Mulagada showed much interest and took great pains to liberate the marginalized from their bondages.

Through the Andhra Pradesh Social Service Society (APSSS) of which he was Chairman for over two decades, he promoted social awareness and literacy. Lakhs of poor people, especially women, were challenged to organise themselves into self help groups, take up saving schemes and self employment projects.

"The poor people of the area, the faithful of the diocese, the priests and the religious feel that they are orphaned at the demise of their affectionate "Father"," says Fr Thumma.

Bishop Mulagada was born on Dec. 12, 1937 at Marriveedu of the Diocese of Visakhapatnam. He was ordained a priest on Jan. 04, 1965 and was one of the first native priests of the diocese of Visakhapatnam.