Dual Departures

In a poignant turn of events, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) mourns the simultaneous passing of two revered retired bishops from Mindanao, Bishop Emeritus Nereo Odchimar and Bishop Emeritus Honesto “Onie” Pacana. This article pays tribute to their legacies, exploring their backgrounds, the circumstances of their passing, and the profound impact they had on their respective dioceses.

Nereo Odchimar:

Most Rev. Nereo Odchimar D.D., aged 83, breathed his last at San Pedro Hospital in Davao City. Battling diabetes and kidney complications, he succumbed to metabolic encephalopathy due to end-stage renal disease and diabetic nephropathy.

Born on October 16, 1940, in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, Nereo Odchimar was ordained a priest on December 19, 1964. Serving as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Tandag from October 18, 2001, until his retirement on February 26, 2018, he also held the prestigious position of the 18th president of the CBCP from 2009 to 2011.

Honesto Pacana:

Most Rev. Honesto Pacana, D.D. aged 91, passed away after days in the ICU at Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital in Cagayan de Oro. While the cause of death was not explicitly mentioned, it was described as a lingering illness.

Born on January 22, 1933, in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, the Bishop was ordained as a Jesuit priest on June 10, 1965. Appointed as the bishop of Malaybalay on January 12, 1994, he served the diocese until his retirement in 2010. His impactful legacy includes being the first chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Culture formed in 1994.

The article underscores the unusual coincidence of the two bishops’ deaths, both occurring on the same day, as announced by the Dioceses of Tandag and Malaybalay. This follows the recent losses of other prominent bishops, marking a somber period for the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

As we reflect on their profound contributions to the Catholic Church, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the love and service they shared. In our prayers, we extend heartfelt wishes for their eternal rest in the embrace of paradise.

Daghang Salamat Bishop Neo and Bishop Onie!