Rev Anthony Poola is not only first Telugu person but also a first Dalit to be elevated to Cardinals by Pope Francis.
Anthony Poola, 62, comes from the Andhra Pradesh district of Kurnool. He served as Bishop of Kurnool for more than a decade before being named Archbishop of Hyderabad by Pope Francis in 2020.
The pope announced that 21 churchmen, including two from India, will be anointed as cardinals at a ceremony at the Vatican later.
Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Antonio Sebastiao di Rosario Ferrao is the other priest from India to be elevated as Cardinal. Reacting to the appointment, Anthony called it ‘God’s will which he is accepting with humility. He thanked Pope Francis for his trust.
Rev Anthony Poola born on November 1961 was ordained a priest on February 20, 1992. He had been installed as the Archbishop of Hyderabad on January 3, 2021.
Dalit group activists consider it an honor and recognition for the oppressed sections of society. The development is seen as a big boost for Dalits, who constitute over 60 percent of the faithful of the Catholic Church in India.
The new Cardinals will formally assure the responsibility on August 27 when the Pope would conduct the consistory or the ceremony to elevate churchmen to cardinal rank.
The College of Cardinals comprises 229 cardinals who are personally selected by the Pope. They elect the new Pope, serve as advisors to him and also act as papal envoys.
