PANAJI
Goa woke up to grief on Tuesday with the news of the death of Fr (Dr) Bolmax Fidelis Pereira, the beloved parish priest of Chicalim and a fearless environmental activist, at 4:30 am at the Goa Medical College following multiple cardiac arrests.
GMC's medical superintendent, Dr Mahesh Patil, in a statement to the media, said, Fr Bolmax, who was under emergency treatment since being admitted on Saturday morning, suffered a massive heart attack late on Saturday night and was put on life-support (ventilator) for observation.
"At 4.30 am today, he unfortunately passed away," Patil said.
On Saturday morning, Fr Bolmax, had suddenly collapsed at Vasco railway station, while preparing to join parishioners for a picnic to Collem.
He was rushed to Daffodils Hospital near Tilak Maidan, where doctors managed to revive him. Later, he was shifted to Goa Medical College (GMC) for advanced treatment under a team led by Dr Guruprasad Naik.
Through Saturday, his condition was described as stable and he even had meals and interacted with relatives.
But by nightfall, his condition deteriorated sharply after another cardiac arrest around 10.20 pm, forcing doctors to place him on life support. Despite intensive care Fr Bolmax succumbed in the early hours of Tuesday, according to Dr Patil.
A priest who went much beyond the altar, Fr Bolmax, aged 50, was more than a parish priest. He was a PhD scholar in Botany, researching the sustainable management of Goa’s wetlands, and also served as Assistant Professor at St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim.
His pastoral journey took him through parishes in Fatorda, Loutolim, Mapusa, Agassaim, Nerul, and finally Chicalim.
However, he was best known as a voice for Goa’s pro-environment movement and shot into prominence when he passionately opposed the railway double-tracking project, fought against the destruction of Mollem forests, and mentored youth groups like the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club and Chicalim Bio Crusaders.
His role in the #SaveMollem campaign cemented his reputation as a priest who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the people, defending Goa’s fragile ecology.
News of his death spread instantly with political parties, politicians, and scores of prominent Goans and institutions paying tributes.
Parishioners of Chicalim mourned the loss of a priest who combined faith, courage, and activism.
For many, he was a shepherd who walked beside his people, inspiring them to fight for justice and the environment.
Fr Bolmax’s passing leaves a void in Goa’s social and spiritual fabric even as he will be remembered as a priest, scholar, and activist who lived with humility and courage, and who dedicated his life in service to both faith and nature.
Funeral to be held on Thursday
PANAJI: The last rites of Fr Bolmax will be held on May 28 with his mortal remains being placed at St Francis Xavier Church, Chicalim, at 7 am for parishioners and well-wishers to pay their final respects. A Eucharistic celebration will follow at 10 am.
The cortege will then be taken to his residence in Quepem and the funeral procession will depart from there at 2:30 pm for the Holy Cross Church, Quepem, where an Eucharistic celebration will be held at 3 pm, followed by the burial.
