Calapan Bishop-Emeritus Warlito Cajandig passes away at 81

Retired Calapan Bishop Most Rev. Warlito Cajandig died on Tuesday at the age of 81, the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan said.

In a statement, Calapan Apostolic Vicar Bishop Moises Cuevas said Cajandig passed away peacefully on Oct. 21 at around 7:18 a.m. in Iloilo City after succumbing to a prolonged illness.

He suffered a debilitating stroke that resulted in a coma on Sept. 1, 2018.

Details on Cajandig’s funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

“We entrust Bishop Cajandig to the Merciful Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and implore the clergy and faithful of our diocese to pray for the eternal repose of his soul,” part of Cuevas' statement said.

“May Bishop Cajandig's witness of missionary love, humble service, and steadfast faith continue to inspire us toward a more faithful and vibrant synodal Church,” it added. 

According to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Cajandig was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Capiz in 1970.

He was appointed as vicar apostolic of Calapan in April 1989 and ordained as bishop on June 21 of that year.

He led the vicariate for 33 years until the Vatican “liberated” him from his post for health reasons in November 2022 at the age of 78. — JMA, GMA Integrated News