In Memoriam: Rev. Fr. Balaswamy Govindu

With deep sorrow, the Diocese of Santa Rosa announces the passing of Rev. Fr. Balaswamy Govindu, who faithfully served our diocese and its people with great dedication and pastoral care.

Born on December 17, 1950, in Mutluru, Andhra Pradesh, India, Fr. Balaswamy entered the seminary at 17 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Guntur in 1977. In 2002, he journeyed to the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and in 2010, he came to serve in our Diocese of Santa Rosa, where he was incardinated in 2013.

Fr. Balaswamy devoted his priestly ministry to several communities within our diocese, serving as parochial administrator at St. Aloysius in Point Arena (2010-2014), and as pastor of St. Mary in Arcata (2014-2017), St. Apollinaris in Napa (2017-2019), and St. Philip the Apostle in Occidental (2019-2023). His compassionate heart, unwavering faith, and joyful presence were a blessing to all who knew him.

His funeral services were held in India on February 10, 2025. We invite the faithful to join in prayer for the repose of his soul and in gratitude for his years of dedicated service to our diocese. May he rest in the peace of Christ, whom he so faithfully served.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.