Fr. Elias Pinto
Fr. Elias Pinto
Born on 2nd January 1945 at Mathabail, Mangalore. His parents are Late Rosario Pinto and Late Maria Pinto. After his schooling, he followed his call to priesthood and continued his studies for priesthood. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Darjeeling at Palladka, Mangalore on the 19th December 1975. His first appointment as a priest was Assistant Priest at Sacred Heart Church, Singamari in April 1975 , thereafter he has served the Diocese as the Diocesan Treasurer and Minister at Bishop’s House from April 1978 till he was transferred to St. John’s Church, Kurseong on July 1998.
After his services at St. Johns, he came back to Darjeeling as the Pro – Vicar of the Cathedral Parish., during his tenure as the Pro – Vicar he suffered from heart ailment and went to St. Johns Hospital, Bangalore for a by pass surgery, after much rest he came back to the diocese but he again had to under go another by pass surgery. With two surgeries at a trot it was difficult for him to keep up with the pace of the uphill climbs. At present he is serving as a chaplain at Navjeevan Hospital, Gayaganga.
Fr. Pinto, as he is lovingly called is a very simple person, but does his work with utter dexterity. During his term as the treasurer he has really shown his concern and commitment to the diocese at large. As a pastor one cannot forget his zeal for people, infact he is instrumental in many ways for the opening of new sub-stations and churches in Darjeeling – Kurseong Deanery in particular. His constant house visits and pastoral visits have brought many estranged back to the church. A very kind person with love for one and all, Fr. Elias Pinto is indeed a gift to the Diocese of Darjeeling. Asked for a message to the Priests and the Lay Faithful, after much thought he says: “My Life is My Message”. What he says is genuine and straight from his heart.
