Father Francis D’Britto who translated The Bible into Marathi passes away

Mumbai: Well-known Marathi literary figure, environmentalist and Catholic priest Father Francis D’Britto (81) passed away at his home in neighbouring Nandakhal near Virar early Thursday morning, an official said here. He is remembered for translating The Bible into Marathi.

According to the Vasai Bishop House spokesperson, Father Bernard Fernandes, Father D’Britto’s funeral rites will be performed at the Holy Spirit Church Nandakhal on Thursday evening.

Father D’Britto’s was born in Jeladi village in Nandakhal. He was awarded the prestigious Marathi Sahitya Academy Award in 2013.

In January 2020, Father D’Britto’s was elected the President of the 93rd All India Marathi Literary Conference held in Osmanabad, ranked as the most prestigious calendar event in Maharashtra.

Among other works of literature, Father D’Britto is renowned for his translation of the Holy Bible-New Testament, into lucid Marathi titled as “Subodh Bible-Nava Karar”, a monumental work in a prose format that took him over 13 years from 1997 to complete, which became an instant best-seller with over three reprints.

With this, Father D’Britto became only the second person after a Britisher and 17th century missionary priest Father Thomas Stephens (1549-1619) to translate the Holy Bible to Marathi.