CamSur diocese bishop emeritus dies

A retired Catholic bishop of Libmanan in Camarines Sur province passed away Saturday at age 77, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Sunday.

The CBCP said Libmanan Bishop Emeritus Prospero Arellano was ordained on March 19, 1990 and retired from his post on May 19, 2008.

"His body currently lies in state at his residence at San Roque, Bombon until its transfer to Libmanan Cathedral on Friday morning. He will be buried on Monday, February 10 after the 9 a.m. funeral Mass at the Libmanan Cathedral," the CBCP said.

The CBCP said Arellano was born in Bombon, Camarines Sur on January 17, 1937, and was ordained on March 30, 1963.

He was appointed bishop of Libmanan on Dec. 9, 1989 and ordained on March 19, 1990.

Arellano finished his theological studies in Naga’s Holy Rosary Major Seminary. He then taught there before being appointed the first bishop-prelate of Libmanan.

He served as rector of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary and parish priest of Pili, Camarines Sur and San Isidro Parish in Iriga City, the CBCP said. — BM, GMA News