Camomot papers to reach Vatican

CEBU, Philippines - The diocesan tribunal on the cause for beatification of late Archbishop TeofiloCamomot has already completed the first requirement on the rigorous process towards declaring the Cebuano prelate a saint.

On the eve of Camomot's 103rd birth anniversary yesterday, the diocesan process was officially closed, said Father Samson Selloriquez, the Rome-based postulator of the cause for his beatification.

Selloriquez, a Visayan native, revealed this development during the Pontifical Mass yesterday at the chapel of the Daughters of St. Teresa, the congregation Camomot founded, in Valladolid, Carcar City, Cebu.

He came to Cebu to take the 1,600-page documentation to Rome Tuesday next week, to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, for review on whether the process observed by the archdiocese was in accordance to the rule.

The documentation included historical writings, testimonies of people who have known Camomot, including those favors were received after seeking his intercession.

"Now we have gathered sufficient testimonies to prove his sanctity of life and sufficient enough that he practiced virtues in a heroic manner," Selloriquez said.

Camomot was born on March 1914. During his priestly life, he was known for his apostolic works, especially with the marginalized.

Yesterday, people crowd at the DST motherhouse in ValladolidCity to commemorate his birth anniversary.

Presiding over the Pontifical Mass, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said Camomot's life was a reflection of the life of Jesus Christ, showing the virtues of humility, charity, and mercy.

He said many accounts of his life story that has been told has become an inspiration that every Catholic faithful should also meditate on.

After the Mass, Palma blessed Camomot's tomb and also graced the soft opening of the newly-built museum, named Domus Teofilo, along with couple Jose "Dodong" and Nena Gullas, who supported the project. (FREEMAN)