Besides being the spiritual guide to many, Fr Luis Pinto Lourenco, 65, who was born in Pequeno Vanelim Colva Salcette, is also a “charmer” of kinds. Till date, he has rescued and handed over 108 poisonous snakes and vipers to the forest department. He is also passionate about football and is an ardent fan of Goa FC.
As a child, like most kids, he was afraid of vipers. He recalls how at the age of 10, when his mother had emboldened him by saying that one day he would be capable of humbling these dreaded beasts. Fr. Pinto proudly says, his mother’s words came true. Fr.Pinto has rescued pythons to cobras at places like Morjim, Canacona, Curtorim and other places of Goa. He has also made the common man aware of characteristics of the vipers and the DO’s and DON’Ts in times of crises. He’s on all-time call too. He keeps telling people, if “you are harmless, the beasts will not harm you.”
Fr Luis has learnt the art of playing a “charmer” on his own. Though not professionally trained, he uses three methods to catch the snakes. A sack cloth, a V-Shaped stick and the net. But he has a word of caution for people not to use the net.
He was honored by Dr.Wilfred D’Souza, former CM of Goa.
Love for football: Fr. Luis is an ardent fan of football and was felicitated by Curtorim veterans at Curtorim. He has played football at Colva too. Till a few years ago, he used to organize football tournaments for All Goa Alter Servers with lots of incentives in the form of jerseys prizes, etc.
