Pagadian Bishop Ronald Lunas; 57

DAVAO CITY—Even while confined to his hospital bed on New Year’s Day, Pagadian Bishop Ronald Lunas was among the five Catholic bishops in Mindanao who supported the pastoral statement calling on the faithful to reject violence and continue to foster dialog and reconciliation following the Dec. 3 bombing in Marawi City.

Ozamiz Bishop Martin Jumoad told the Inquirer that Lunas, who was then recuperating from his Dec. 28 heart bypass surgery in Davao City, gave his nod to the statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Dipolog, Iligan, Pagadian (Lunas’ diocese), Ozamiz and Marawi, addressing the bombing at the Mindanao State University that killed four people and wounded more than 50 others.

On Jan. 2, however, Lunas died. He was 57.

Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said Lunas’ sudden passing came as “quite a shock,” especially among church people who heard that he was already well after his surgery.

Valles described him as a “minister, priest, bishop” who set an extraordinary example to the church. “One of his most wonderful gifts is to show us God that moved him, to be such a gentle, merciful, compassionate, understanding and patient minister. Just a good face of God in him,” Valles said.

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Lunas was ordained a priest in 1992 at the age of 25. He served the priesthood for almost 32 years, nearly five of which as Pagadian bishop.

His remains will be brought to the Diocese of Digos on Thursday and to Pagadian City on Saturday. He will be buried beside the Sto. Niño Cathedral in Pagadian on Jan. 11. —REPORTS FROM GERMELINA LACORTE, JULIE ALIPALA AND LEAH AGONOY INQ