APFC Holds Annual General Body Meeting in Vijayawada

Vijayawada, 28 May, 2025 - The Annual General Body Meeting of the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC) was held on 27 May 2025 at the Catholic Bishop’s House in Vijayawada. The meeting was presided over by T. Joseph Raja Rao, R.C. Bishop of Vijayawada and General Secretary of APFC, who delivered the inaugural address.

Around 40 participants, including members, representatives, and invitees, attended the meeting. The gathering commenced with a prayer for Christian unity, led by Fr. M. Prasad, Executive Secretary. Attendees offered prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis and for the fruitful ministry of the newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. A minute of silence was observed in memory of Pastor Praveen Pagadala, who tragically died in a suspicious accident.

Members discussed plans for a joint celebration of Indian Christian Day on 3 July and the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. They also agreed to initiate the regular recitation of the Nicene Creed in all churches.

Mr. J.R. Sudheer, Advisor to APFC, addressed the importance of forming and training youth in churches and stressed the need for establishing working groups to enhance APFC’s effectiveness.

Fr. K. Anthaiah, Secretary of the Federation of Telugu Churches (FTC), provided an update on the progress of forming District Action Committees and announced the increase in annual contributions to APFC to ₹5,000. He also informed members that the Managing Committee would soon discuss and communicate decisions regarding the admission of new members.

Mr. Amarlapudi Shekar, Managing Director of the Christian Finance Corporation, presented various schemes available to the Christian community and encouraged churches to take advantage of them. Mr. Joshua Daniel, Acting Chairman of the Minority Commission, extended an invitation to all to attend a meeting on 14 June to promote Christian unity.

In his closing address, Anthony Das, Coadjutor Bishop of Nellore and Chairman of FTC, appreciated the diverse perspectives shared and emphasised the importance of Christian unity. The meeting concluded with a prayer and benediction by Joseph Raja Rao.

Sincere thanks were extended to Executive Secretaries Fr. M. Prasad and I. Karunanidhi for their dedicated efforts in uniting churches. The FTC also expressed gratitude to the Catholic Diocese of Vijayawada for hosting the meeting and providing a warm fellowship meal.

By Fr. K. Anthaiah & U. Daniel, Secretaries of FTC