A bishop who formerly shepherded the Diocese of Malaybalay has died at the age of 91.
The diocese said in a statement that Bishop Honesto “Onie” Pacana died at 12:33 p.m. Thursday, February 1.
The statement said the bishop died at the Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital in Cagayan De Oro City, where he had been admitted for a couple of days.
“Please join us in offering prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Bishop Onie and for the whole Diocese of Malaybalay as we mourn and find strength in our shared faith,” it read.
Pacana was ordained a Jesuit priest on June 10, 1965. On Jan. 12, 1994, he was appointed bishop of Malaybalay and consecrated to the episcopate on March 4, 1994.
He served the diocese for nearly 16 years until his retirement in February 2010.
During his tenure, the diocese noted, “He touched countless lives and inspired many with his wisdom, compassion, and devotion.”
“As we mourn his loss, let us remember and celebrate the profound impact he had on our faith community,” it added.
In the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, he served as the first chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Culture, established in 1994.
The diocese said details for the memorial services and interment schedules will be announced soon.
Earlier today, the Diocese of Tandag also announced the death of its bishop emeritus, Nereo Odchimar. He was 83.
