By Matters India Reporter
Visakhapatnam, June 7, 2026: Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop Emeritus of Visakhapatnam, passed away early June 7 at a private hospital in Visakhapatnam. He was 77.
Archbishop Mallavarapu was admitted to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Maharanipeta, on May 18 following severe breathing complications. He was later transferred to Medicover Hospital for advanced cardiac evaluation.
After showing improvement, he was discharged, but his health deteriorated suddenly in the early hours of June 7 due to acute respiratory distress.
Despite medical intervention, he died peacefully at 2:35 a.m, according to a statement from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.
The CCBI described his passing as “a moment of deep loss for the Church in India,” noting his decades of service in pastoral care, education, and theological leadership.
Born on Jan. 29, 1949, in Jadi Jamalpur, Nizamabad district, Archbishop Mallavarapu pursued his early education in Hyderabad before entering St. Peter’s Minor Seminary, Cuddapah.
He completed philosophical and theological studies at Papal Seminary, Pune, earning advanced degrees in philosophy and theology, including a Ph.D. in Indian philosophy and a master’s from Loyola University of Chicago.
Ordained a priest on Oct. 11, 1979, he served in pastoral, academic, and administrative roles, including Rector of St. John’s Regional Seminary, Hyderabad.
He was appointed Bishop of Cuddapah in 1998, Bishop of Vijayawada in 2002, and Archbishop of Visakhapatnam in 2012. He also served as Apostolic Administrator of Srikakulam in 2019.
Archbishop Mallavarapu held several leadership positions, including Secretary General of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (2005–2011), Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s Office for Health Care, and Vice-President of the Andhra Pradesh Bishop’s Council. Pope Francis accepted his resignation in February 2024.
(Photo supplied)