Diocese of Kurnool Celebrates Historic Day with Cardinal Poola, Pentecost Mass, and Synod Conclusion

Kurnool, 9 June 2025: The Diocese of Kurnool experienced a momentous day on 8 June 2025, as it hosted three major celebrations: the visit and solemn felicitation of His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Poola, the Pentecost Solemn Mass, and the conclusion of the Diocesan Synod 2025 with the release of its Post-Synodal document: "Walking Together as a Family of Believers."

Procession of Faith and Celebration

A vibrant 1.5-kilometre procession was held from C-Camp to Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral Church. Cardinal Anthony Poola was grandly received at C-Camp by Bishop Johannes Gorantla OCD of Kurnool, along with clergy, religious, laity, and a jubilant orchestra band. 

Pentecost Mass and Synodal Spirit

The Pentecost Solemn Mass was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop of Hyderabad. In his welcome address, Bishop Johannes Gorantla outlined the day’s triple significance. He called the occasion a “New Pentecost” for the diocese, invoking the Holy Spirit’s transformative power to guide the Church’s new journey.

In his homily, Cardinal Anthony Poola reflected on the first Pentecost and the birth of the Church, sharing personal insights from the funeral of Pope Francis and the recent Papal Conclave, where Pope Leo XIV was elected in just 24 hours—a clear sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence. He stressed the need for a synodal Church where women, youth, and laity actively engage in liturgy, evangelisation, charity, and pastoral work.

Quoting Pope Francis’ values of Mercy, Intelligence, and Compassion (MIC), he urged the faithful to embody these virtues. Drawing parallels between the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the Kurnool Diocesan Synod, he called for priestly unity and encouraged the faithful to be courageous and spiritually renewed—keeping the Church alive, not a museum.

Release of Post-Synodal Document and Felicitations

Cardinal Anthony Poola blessed and released the Diocese’s Post-Synodal document Walking Together as a Family of Believers. The document provides new pastoral and administrative guidelines covering evangelisation, parish organisation, parish councils, financial councils, education, social apostolate, clergy, religious life, protection of temporal goods, and policy for protecting vulnerable children and adults. 

Bishop Johannes Gorantla honoured His Eminence on behalf of the Diocese and expressed appreciation for him as the pride of the Telugu Catholic Church. The felicitations, led by Frs. Prathap Reddy and Kola Vijaya Raj, saw Bishop Johannes acknowledge priests who contributed to the event’s success: Frs. Devadas and Balaraj (welcoming), Anthony Raj and Selvaraj (liturgy), Mesa Prasana, John David, Manoj, Gabriel (hospitality and food), Manohar (choir coordination), Bishop’s House Fathers, and many others.

Faithful Participation

Faithful from the Cathedral, Co-Cathedral, and parishes across four districts—Nandyal, Satyasai, Kurnool, and Nandyal—participated in the celebrations. Priests from across the diocese also attended.

An Agape Meal (Bada Khana) was shared by all, marking a spirit of joy, unity, and renewed mission. 

By Fr. G. Inna

Diocesan Secretary, Diocese of Kurnool