Retired Bishop Pudota Chinnaiah Balaswamy, who said his physical sufferings of amputation and kidney failure made him closer to God, died Sept. 24.

The former bishop of Nellore diocese in Andhra Pradesh died of diabetic-related multiple organ failure in a hospital in Chennai.

The 80-year-old bishop’s left leg was amputated Sept. 1 following severe diabetic complications. He has been undergoing dialysis daily since Sept. 6 as both his kidneys failed.

The prelate spoke to UCA News soon after his surgery saying his suffering helps him “relate with suffering of neighbors and I find Jesus in them and they are Jesus for me.”

The bishop told UCA News Sept. 7 from his hospital bed that pain helps him “to have intimate relation with Christ. There is sadness and despair in me when I think of my health condition,” he said realizing his end is near.

The bishop, who used to travel across his diocese, said he disliked amputation because it meant being dependent on others and not able to move freely. “The works of the Lord kept me busy,” he said.

The bishop said he accepted the pain “as the will of God” and his suffering helped him have “compassion and respect” for less privileged who undergo such sufferings.

According to Nellore Bishop’s House Secretary Father M. I. Arokiasamy the burial is scheduled for Sept. 26. Bishop M. D. Prakasam of Nellore is unable to lead the funeral as he is away in United Kingdom, diocesan sources said.

The bishop was diagnosed with diabetic problems 10 years ago. But despite his age and illness he traveled on roads for any pastoral work, said Jesuit Father Joseph Sandanasamy, working in the neighboring Kurnool diocese.

The prelate visited Jesuit community at Hindupur in Kurnool July 29-Aug. 3, which Father Sandanasamy said turned out to be his last mission journey. He returned to his residence in Nellore but was hospitalized Aug. 17.

Born to traditional catholic parents in 1928, Bishop Balaswamy had his education in Loyola College, Chennai. He was ordained priest in 1955, and bishop of Nellore 1974. He led the diocese for 33 years until his retirement on January 17, 2007.

For nearly three decades, he headed the liturgy commission of Andhra Pradesh Bishops’ council. The diocese has some 145 priests, majority of them ordained by the late prelate, said Father Mathew Kandrikal, the parish priest of Nellore cathedral.

Y. Nathanayelu, Catholic and retired regional Education Officer recalled his rich association with the bishop in composing liturgical songs and biblical skits. He said the bishop’s such work brought more people to Christ, irrespective of religion.

SOURCE: UCAN

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