Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam | Official Website

Our Patron Saint

St. Anne

His Holiness

Pope Francis

Most Rev. Dr. Jaya Rao Polimera

Apostolic Administrator of
Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam

Administrator's Message

Most Rev. Dr. Jaya Rao Polimera

The Pastor Speaks .....

Dear Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and People of God

The greatest celebration we have this month is the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. It is a holy day of obligation to all Catholics, especially for the Catholics in India as it coincides with the Independence Day of our country. I was wondering why it is celebrated on August 15th. Is it to coincide with the Independence of our Country? The feast day of this holy and momentous event stems from the middle of the 5th century when the commemoration of the Mother of God was celebrated each year on August 15th at a shrine located near Jerusalem. The joy of the Catholics of India knew no bounds when the feast of the Assumption is celebrated on August 15th, the day of our Independence.

His Holiness Pope Francis

The first Pope of the Americas Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina. The 76-year-old Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires is a prominent figure throughout the continent, yet remains a simple pastor who is deeply loved by his diocese, throughout which he has travelled extensively on the underground and by bus during the 15 years of his episcopal ministry.

“My people are poor and I am one of them”, he has said more than once, explaining his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own supper. He has always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage and to keep their doors open to everyone. The worst thing that could happen to the Church, he has said on various occasions, “is what de Lubac called spiritual worldliness”, which means, “being self-centred”.

Catholic Population	114678
Parishes	75
Diocesan Priests	84
Religious Priests	64
Total Priests	148
Religious Sisters	596
Religious Brothers	5
Ecclesiastical Institutions	7
Colleges	4
Technical Schools	7
Professional Colleges	5
Hospitals	7
Boarding Home	24
Hostels	5
Publications	2
Kindergartens	28
Schools	70
Secondary Schools	37