Body of Bishop Emeritus Cruz now lies in state in Calbayog Cathedral Calbayog City, Samar, October15, 2013 – Funeral Mass and Interment of Bishop Emeritus of Calbayog His Excellency Maximiano Tuazon Cruz brought a gathering of archbishops, bishops, priests, and dignitaries alongside the faithful at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral at 9 this morning. The funeral mass set off with the sprinkling of Bishop Cruz’s casket with the waters used in the Sacrament of Baptism, covering the casket with white cloth and a cross on it, and the placement of the Book of Gospels upon it. These three are the typical acts for the funeral of a Catholic bishop. Most Reverend Isabelo Abarquez, Bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog led the Mass of Requiem concelebrated in with archbishops present and other bishops, to name, Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu who is at the same time the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Archbishop John Du of Palo, Bishop Crispin Varquez of Borongan, Bishop Filomeno Bactol of Naval and Bishop Gregorio Camilo of Batanes. Also at the altar were Monsignor George Tomichek, a Diocesan Priest of Calbayog now serving in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Retired Monsignor Bienvinido Chiquillo who once served Calbayog as Parish Priest, and Bishop Cruz’s younger brother, Retired Monsignor Manuel “Maning” Cruz. Bishop Bactol who was one of Bishop Cruz’s closest friends offered the homily which included references to their friendship. And through Msgr. “Maning”, he expressed his thanks to Bishop Cruz whom he said had been so good to him, someone who would never betray friendship and would support a friend through thick and thin. Bishop Bactol was once an administrator of this Diocese for more than four months. Those times, according to him, were the most turbulent pages in the history of Calbayog, but he would never worry because there’s Bishop Cruz giving him strength through saying, “Keep on, the road is clear.” Aside from Bishop Bactol, more messages for Bishop Cruz were heard before the memorial mass was ended. Bishop Camilo of Batanes who considered Bishop Cruz a comforting brother shared a legacy the bishop had brought into his life. This legacy was Bishop Cruz’s being very human in terms of authentic loving as a person and his love for God, and more so, very spiritual that he placed a trail for them, bishops and priests, to a happy, beautiful life. “To the Lord from whom you came, you go back,” Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu said in his message while thanking Bishop Cruz for what he did for the church and for the glory of God. He also conveyed the CBCP’s message of prayers for Bishop Cruz. Even Pope Francis, Archbishop Palma said, is aware of the passing of Bishop Cruz and has sent His sentiments of solidarity and prayers for the expired bishop. This message of the Holy Father on the occasion of Bishop Cruz’s funeral was read by the Diocesan Chancellor of Calbayog, Rev. Fr. Michael Anthony Aguilar. The last survivor and the youngest of the Cruz’s siblings, Retired Msgr. “Maning” Cruz now at 81, in his thanksgiving message said that from all the speaking engagements he had, this was the most difficult. But he stood up still to express his appreciation for the presence of everybody full-packed inside the cathedral giving tribute to his brother he fondly called “Mano Max”. Msgr. “Maning” especially mentioned Bishop Abarquez who had been very helpful to them during his brother’s final illness. He said the Calbayog bishop eased so much of their burden and carried out most of the obligations that were supposedly of his family already. Msgr.” Maning” likewise never stopped praising God for the gift of 91 long years of his brother’s life and his colorful works in the ministry. Meanwhile, Bishop Abarquez, the main celebrant of this Holy Mass of Repose, extended his heartfelt and profound gratitude to the members of the bereaved Tuazon and Cruz families for giving Bishop Cruz to the church. Bishop Cruz, he said, will never be forgotten and will remain in their thoughts and prayers. This Mass of Requiem officially ended with Archbishops, Bishops and priests sprinkling the casket with the holy waters while saying their own rituals of commendation and farewell to Bishop Cruz. The rite of interment followed immediately and Bishop Cruz’s remains were entombed just inside the cathedral almost noontime today. *** END ***
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 18:31:01 +0000
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