Cardinal Advincula prays for PNoy

Newly-installed Manila archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula on Thursday offered prayers for the passing of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Aquino died peacefully in his sleep at 6:30 a.m. due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.

“May he rest in peace. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace,” Advincula said.

The former president’s remains have been cremated.

The mass for Aquino would be held at Ateneo on Friday while he would be buried at the Manila Memorial Cemetery on Saturday.

His sisters earlier bid him goodbye, saying he did well and may now rest smiling with their esteemed parents.

Advincula was earlier installed as the new archbishop of Manila in a ceremony held at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Intramuros.

Mutual respect

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines President and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles expressed "deep sorrow" over the death of the former Philippine leader.

"The bishops in the Philippines will remember President Aquino for his deep dedication to democracy, good governance and the dignity of the human person," Valles said in a statement.

In addition, Valles said the CBCP is grateful for the "mutual respect" between Aquino regime and the Catholic church which is rooted in "unwavering faith in the Triune God, and our shared commitment to build a just, humane society, especially for those who are in need."

"We remember too, with gratitude, the role and participation he and his administration played in ensuring the success of the Canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in 2012, the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis in 2015, and the 51 st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City in 2016," the CBCP head added.

The Catholic Church opposed the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH) Law which was enacted under the Aquino administration.

It is one of the laws signed by Aquino in 2012, which gives reproductive health services for all Filipinos.  —Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News