Archbishop Joji of Hyderabad passes away

(August 28, 2010) The archbishop of Hyderabad in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state has passed away following a massive heart attack. Archbishop Marampudi Joji died on Friday in his room an archdiocesan official has announced. The 68-year old prelate was found dead inside “his bed room during his siesta and the body was found on the floor of his room,” said a note signed by vicar general Father Swarna Bernard. Doctors who attended on him “gave a last try to revive him but there was no response and he was declared dead,” the note said. The archbishop had been ailing for some time. He had a heart bypass surgery in 2001 and was on a pacemaker. He also suffered from a cancerous bone and was hospitalized for 10 days in last June. Besides, he was also under medication for diabetes and hypertension. Born in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, on Oct. 7, 1942, Archbishop Joji was ordained priest in 1971 for the diocese of Vijayawada. In 1991 he was appointed bishop of Khammam and four years later was transferred a bishop of Vijayawada. He was appointed Archbishop of Hyderabad on January 29, 2000.