from Darryl Albuquerque

Fr Walter Pinto, Chaplain at St. Theresa's Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad and spiritual advisor to Kanara Catholic Welfare Association (KCWA), Hyderabad passed away on 26 July 2006 in Hyderabad.

Fr Walter was born to  Lawrence & Dorothy Pinto on 9 January 1946 at Gantalkatte (Moodabidri).  After his formal studies he joined the St Joseph`s Seminary at Mangalore in 1965 and was ordained on 21 June 1973 into the Shimoga Diocese.  From 1973 to 2000, Fr Walter served in different parishes in Shimoga and Chikmagalur.  In 2000 he responded to the call of the Holy Spirit and worked in charismatic missions in Bidar, parts of Kerala and Mutangi in Andhra Pradesh.  While working as a confessor and counselor at Mutangi, he took on the responsibility as Chaplain for St Theresa`s Hospital at Sanathnagar, Hyderabad.  From 2003 he took on as full time Chaplain and spiritual guide at St Theresa`s Hospital.  He extended prayerful services to the patients and interned and counseled them in their spiritual journey.  His prayers and Mass celebrations were sought after by many in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and he did not disappoint anyone.

He also blessed the KCWA with his guidance on all occasions, despite his failing health.  He was much liked and sought after by the people around St Theresa`s Hospital region that he was requested to live in the Hospital premises.  The Sisters` community of the Hospital offered to take care of him for life and they did that with full dedication, especially when his health deteriorated and he was on dialysis every alternate day.  He breathed his last on 26 July 2009.  His funeral mass was held at St Theresa`s Church, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad on 28 July 2009 in the presence of his loved ones and relatives who came from different states.  His mortal remains were buried in the Mettuguda cemetery, Hyderabad.