On July 25, Father Francis D'Britto, an esteemed Indian Catholic priest, social worker, environmental activist, and Marathi writer, passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 81.
Father D'Britto died at Holy Spirit Church in Nandakhal, Vasai, a suburb of Mumbai in western India. Originally from Jeladi, Nandakhal, he served as a priest in the Diocese of Vasai and founded the "Harit" (Green) Vasai Movement.
His mortal remains were available for viewing and last respects at his home in Nandakhal at 3:30 PM and Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal, at 4:00 PM. The funeral service and Mass were held at 6:00 PM.
Father D'Britto was renowned for his translation of the 'Subodh Bible,' a Marathi adaptation and translation of the Bible that has seen numerous reprints.
"I am pleased that I could contribute to Marathi literature by bringing the Holy Bible to Marathi readers," D'Britto said, following the widespread acclaim his work received.
The 'Subodh Bible' features an 80-page introduction to the Bible, two chapters on new theological movements in the Church, nearly 200 illustrations of biblical scenes and maps, and commentary explaining complex biblical concepts.
D'Britto, who once edited the religious magazine 'Suvarta' in Vasai, dedicated nearly 15 years to this monumental work.
He was also recognized for his active involvement in various public movements, notably the 'Harit Vasai' initiative, which aimed to promote environmental sustainability and green practices.
Born on December 4, 1942, Father D'Britto was the first Catholic priest to receive the prestigious Dnyanoba-Tukaram Puraskar for his literary contributions.
His accolades include the Maharashtra Government's literary award for best translation in 2013 and the Sahitya Akademi award in April 2014.
In 2020, he was unanimously elected president of the 93rd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Dharadhiv, highlighting his profound influence on the literary community.
A prolific writer, Father D'Britto contributed to various Marathi newspapers and authored around 50 novels.
He completed his studies at the University of Pune after attending St. Pius College in Goregaon, Mumbai, and graduated with a master's in theology from Rome's Gregorian University.
Father Francis D'Britto's legacy as a priest, writer, and environmental advocate will continue to inspire and impact the community he served so faithfully.
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