Two Catholic bishops die on same day after losing battle with cancer

Two Catholic bishops passed away on Saturday after losing their battle with cancer, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said.

An article on CBCP News said Bishops Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines and Rodolfo Beltran of San Fernando in La Union died on Saturday in separate hospitals in Manila.

Two Catholic bishop of the Philippines died today: Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate & Bishop Rodolfo Beltran of La Union.

— CBCPNews (@cbcpnews) June 17, 2017

Tumulak, 72, succumbed to pancreatic cancer at 1:26 p.m. on Saturday at the Cardinal Santos Hospital, while Beltran, 68, lost his short battle with prostate cancer at about 7 p.m. on same day at the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital.

As military bishop, Tumulak served as pastor for military and police personnel, their dependents, and civilian employees.

He was a native of Santander town in Cebu province. He was ordained priest in March 1971.

In January 1987, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu and served the post for five years until 1992 when he was named the bishop of Tagbilaran, Bohol.

On the other hand, Beltran was bishop of San Fernando at the time of his death.

Born in Gattaran, Cagayan, he was ordained to the priesthood in March 1976 under the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao.

After 30 years, Beltran was appointed bishop of the Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc-Lagawe, a post he held for six years until he named bishop of San Fernando in 2012.

Bishop Tumulak’s wake and resting place will be at the Shrine of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus in Pasay City, while Bishop Beltran’s remains would be brought to San Fernando. —LBG, GMA News