Goa Jesuits mourn death of renowned educationist, historian

By Matters India Reporter

Panaji: Jesuits in Goa have mourned the death of Father Gregory Naik, their first provincial who explored the western Indian state’s colonial history and its connection with the Society of Jesus.

Father Naik died August 9 at Xavier Residence in Alto Porvorim, on the northern outskirts of the state capital of Panaji. He was 88.

The funeral took place at 3:30 pm on August 10 in the chapel of Xavier Residence, Alto Porvorim, followed by burial in the Holy Family cemetery.

Father Naik became the first superior of the Goa Jesuit region in 1992 when it was carved out of the Goa-Pune province. When it became a full-fledged province a year later he was appointed its provincial, a post he held until 1999.

Earlier, he served as the secretary of the Jesuit Educational Association for South Asia in New Delhi for seven years. He also served as the rector at the Jesuit headquarters in Rome.

Father Gregory Naik “was a man of vision and mission. With his demise Goa Jesuits have lost a good scholar and researcher,” says Father Pratap Naik, former director of the Thomas Stephens Konkkni Kendr, a research institute that promotes the Konkani language, literature, culture and education.

“When he was the provincial, he granted permission, fully encouraged and supported Jesuit Father Mathew Almeida, and me to put up the new building of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr. He laid its foundation on February 24, 1996, and blessed the building on September 29, 1998,” Father Pratap Naik recalled.

Jesuit Father Anthony da Silva, director of the Xavier Centre for Historical Research in Porvorim, says as a Jesuit scholar Father Gregory Naik’s quest was for knowledge and wisdom, and as a Jesuit priest his quest was for service and holiness.

“As a young priest and pastor, he willingly delved into youth ministry, training and educating future leaders of the Church and the country,” Father da Silva wrote in his condolence message.

Father Gregory Naik was born on June 23, 1933, at Navelim village in Salcette district in South Goa. He joined the Jesuits on June 28, 1952, at Vinayalaya, the novitiate in Mumbai. He completed a double Master’s in History and Counseling in the USA and served Jesuit schools in India.

“He was fluent in several languages. On his return to Goa in 2009, Father Naik established the Goa Jesuit Archives and worked on it until 2014,” Father Pratap Naik said.

Father Gregory Naik had written a number of articles and two books. One of the books, “Understanding Our Fellow Pilgrims,” published in 2000, was written to promote dialogue and to understand and appreciate the faith, traditions of other religions of India, Father Pratap Naik said.

The second book was a solid scholarly work based on original Jesuit sources from the archives, entitled, “Jesuits of the Goa Province: A Historical Overview (1542-2000).” It covers a wide swathe of Jesuit history as it relates to South Asia.

“This book will fascinate students of history, religion, and cultures. It offers rich data for further exploring the colonial history of Goa and its connection with the Society of Jesus,” Father Pratap Naik claims.

As provincial, Father Gregory Naik took the initiative to build Pedro Arrupe Institute in Goa’s Raia village for the formation of laity and youth and as a retreat center.