Cebuanos observe Camomot’s death anniversary today

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will lead the activities in today's observance of the 28th death anniversary of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot in Garrieta Heights, Valladolid, Carcar City, where the priest had established a monastery for the Daughters of Saint Teresa.

The activities include a holy mass to be officiated by Archbishop Palma and the groundbreaking of the Archbishop Teofilo Camomot Museum, which will hold the personal effects of Archbishop Camomot, like his death bed, desk, chair, cane and others that all reflect the simplicity of the person that he was. The Freeman Chairman Jose "Dodong" Gullas will be attending the activities.

The museum will also serve as a chapel, where holy masses may be held. Its cost is estimated to be in the vicinity of P10 million, including its perimeter fence.

Archbishop Camomot died in a road accident at age 74 on September 27, 1988, while yet a bishop. He has since been posthumously elevated to archbishop.

Archbishop Camomot was noted for his very simple, austere and prayerful lifestyle. Testimonies from former parishioners say that before celebrating mass, he would first visit the sick in their homes.

The cause for the beatification of Archbishop Camomot has been approved by the Vatican and is currently in progress.

Archbishop Camomot was born in Cogon, Carcar, Cebu on March 3, 1914 to parents Luis and Angela, the third child of eight children. He had his seminary formation at the Seminario de San Carlos in Cebu City and was ordained a priest on December 15, 1940.

In 1943, he was appointed parish priest of Sta. Teresa Parish in Talisay, Cebu, after having been appointed assistant in different parishes. He had also been assigned to other parishes in the Visayas and Mindanao. (FREEMAN)