Bishop of Eluru
Jaya Rao Polimera was born on August 27, 1965, in Dharmasagar, in the Diocese of Warangal. He attended primary school in Dharmasagar and subsequently entered St. Pius X Seminary in Fatimanagar. He was sent to St. Paul’s Seminary in Nuzvid for his propaedeutic year and later to a college in Vijayawada. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology, as well as his preparation for the priesthood, at St. John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad. He obtained a B.A. in English Literature, a B.A. in Civil Law, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, Culture, and Communication from Siena Heights University (USA). He was ordained a priest on April 2, 1992, in Fatimanagar and is incardinated in the Diocese of Warangal. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1992–1994: Assistant Parish Priest in Dacharam; 1994–1997: Parish Priest in Dornakal; 1998–2003: Assistant Parish Priest at St. Philip Parish, Diocese of Kalamazoo (USA); 2003–2009: Parish Priest of the Cathedral; since 2009: Director of the Diocesan Youth Centre, and member of the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, and the Diocesan Tribunal.