Indian Church Leaders Honour MEP Missionary and Biblical Scholar Fr. Lucien Legrand for Seven Decades of Service

Church leaders in India honoured renowned MEP missionary and eminent biblical scholar Fr. Lucien Legrand for his 70 years of dedicated service to the Word of God, during the All India Bible Conference organised by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) – Commission for Bible.

The national conference was held at Inigo Sadan, Jnana Deepa, Pune, western India, from 20–22 January 2026, on the theme “Innovative Pathways in Proclaiming the Word of God in India.” More than 200 participants, including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious sisters, and lay faithful engaged in biblical ministry from across the country, attended the event.

Lifetime Honour for a Pioneer of Biblical Apostolate

During the inaugural session, Fr. Lucien Legrand, MEP, was conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop- Emeritus of Bombay, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to biblical scholarship and formation in India.

Presenting the award, Cardinal Gracias said, “We are gathered to thank God for the gift of Fr. Lucien Legrand to the Church in India.” He described Fr. Legrand as a formative figure for generations of priests, religious, and lay leaders, particularly through his long association with St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru, where he became an iconic teacher and mentor.

The Cardinal highlighted Fr. Legrand’s passion for Scripture and his ability to transmit love for the Word of God, not merely as a written text, but as the living person of Jesus Christ. He noted that Fr. Legrand “trained the trainers” and had a profound impact on biblical studies both in India and internationally.

Recalling Fr. Legrand’s 70 years of missionary and academic service, Cardinal Gracias said that no statistics or publications could adequately capture the depth of his prayer, study, dedication, and spiritual insight. He also singled out Fr. Legrand’s key role in the New Living Translation and the English Revised Version of the Bible, describing them as significant contributions to the Church in India.

Tribute from the CCBI Commission for Bible

In his tribute, Bishop Antonysamy Peter Abir of Sultanpet, who is also the Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Bible, described Fr. Legrand’s seven decades of service as “a powerful testimony of deep love for God, fidelity to the Church, and enduring commitment to the people of India.”

The Bishop noted Fr. Legrand’s unwavering faithfulness to prayer and the Eucharist, saying, “I am deeply moved to see him still going daily to the chapel with the brothers, even as he nears 100 years of age.” He added that Fr. Legrand’s legacy lives on through the many students he has formed, the scholars he has inspired, and the vibrant biblical apostolate he helped to build across the country.

Fr. Legrand’s Humble Response

Responding to the honour Fr.  Lucien Legrand humbly attributed his achievements to his colleagues, students, and the wider Church community. He paid special tribute to late Fr. George Soares-Prabhu, SJ, a distinguished theologian of Jnana Deepa, Pune, saying he deserved even greater recognition.

Fr. Legrand also recalled the decisive influence of Fr. Amalorpavadass, founder of the National Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), for his role in renewing the Indian Church after the Second Vatican Council. Referring to the Biblical Museum at St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru, he said that it was made possible through the dedication of his students, one of whom later became the Bishop of Tuticorin.

Emphasising the role of ordinary believers, Fr. Legrand said he was deeply formed by the faith of humble laypeople, many of whom could not read but lived the Gospel with generosity and conviction. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Church in India for having adopted him, shaped him, and filled his life with joy and purpose.

About the CCBI Commission for Bible

The CCBI Commission for Bible is the Scripture ministry of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. It seeks to promote a vibrant Bible culture and strengthen biblical apostolate throughout the country by empowering clergy, religious, and laity through the Word of God for transformative Christian living and evangelisation.

The Commission conducts Bible study programmes, formation courses, workshops, seminars, and national events aimed at deepening engagement with Sacred Scripture across India.