By Bishop Most Rev Theodore Mascarenhas –
Well-known Belgian Jesuit priest Fr Erik Breye died of cardiac arrest on Friday at Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand state in eastern India. He was 80. He was a seminary professor, retreat preacher and a confessor and counselor for seminarians and nuns.
Fr Erik came to India on August 1965 and since then he has been attached to St. Albert’s College, Ranchi and worked till 17 September 2020 for long 55 years. He was the second last Belgian Jesuit to come and join the Ranchi Jesuits.
Father Erik’s parents were Mr. Henry Breye and Mrs Marie Louise Vanden Berge. In his early days however, Father Erik Breye was assigned to teach Hindi at St. John’s School, Ranchi.
He was given an unusual number of years of regency (testing in the school) 5 years in all which made him to wonder why that long. His positive thinking and perseverance and interest in the students that made the Superiors appreciate his person and sent him for Theological studies.
Fr. Erik was humble, willing to accept his mistakes, not begrudging or arguing or complaining, but always looking at the brighter side of things in life and work. He was jovial in conversation and joyful in the company.
In any hurtful, or in any unpleasant situation, Fr. Erik knew how to take things with a peace of mind and positive thinking. His positive outlook reflected in the way he would put in a statement or observation often surprised his colleagues with his wisdom and depth of understanding.
In his teaching and the assessment of his students he was fair and objective, fatherly in personal guidance appreciating the strength of someone and encouraging them. Given the choice, the students would prefer him as their mentor and guide.
He was inspiring to his students, non-threatening, always sat work reading a book or writing a talk with.
Though busy in the time-schedule of St. Albert’s College, he found time to regularly visit his Jesuit brethren in the infirmary at Manresa House to have words of comfort and support to his fellow Jesuits.
He was a man of prayer of God who knew how to bring inner healing of the mercy of God and his forgiveness. Do not judge, do not scandalize, always be kind to all. Be ready for a call to charity were his pet sayings and he abode by them. May his soul rest in peace!