By Matters India Reporter
NEW DELHI, October 4 2026: Divine Word Bishop Devprasad Ganawa of Udaipur passed away October 4 following a massive cardiac arrest. He was 74.
Bishop Ganawa, first bishop from the Bhil tribe breathed his last at 11:45 a.m. at St. Teresa’s Hospital, Udaipur, despite medical efforts.
The bishop experienced chest pain at the Bishop’s House in Udaipur earlier that morning and was rushed to the hospital. His funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, 7 October, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Udaipur.
Born on 8 December 1951 in Panchkui Parish, Diocese of Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, Ganawa entered St. Thomas Seminary, Mhow, in 1965. He made his first profession in the Divine Word congregation in 1974 and was ordained a priest on 27 October 1982 after completing studies at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune.
He served in several parishes and seminaries, including Khandwa Cathedral, Khargone, and Palda, before being appointed Bishop of Jhabua in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2012, he was named Bishop of Udaipur, where he ministered until his death.
Ganawa was known for his pastoral commitment to the poor, tribal communities, and priestly formation. The CCBI conveyed condolences to the clergy, religious, faithful, and his family, commending his soul to God’s mercy.