A Tribute To Bishop Fortich at Diocese of Bacolod, Philippines, Bacolod City, Philippines 6100 PH - A Retired Bishop

Retired Bacolod Bishop Fortich dies at age 89 By Leslie Ann G. Aquino "A great disciple of Christ, faithful messenger of the Gospel, and defender of the poor." Thus Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Orlando Quevedo described retired Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich of Bacolod, who died yesterday morning at age 89. A statement issued by CBCP Secretary General Monsignor Hernando Coronel said the bishops will fondly remember Fortich not only because he was very much part of the prophetic voice of the bishops' conference but also because his life and ministry is a clear testimony to "building the Catholic Church as a Church for the Poor." "We will remember his selfless commitment to justice, peace, and development in furtherance of God's reign made evident in the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines and the Pastoral Priorities for Church renewal," Coronel said. In a circular issued by the CBCP through information given by Msgr. Victorino Rivas, vicar general, the bishops said that Fortich, 89, died at 8:15 a.m. yesterday at the Riverside Hospital in Bacolod where he was also confined last November after a mild stroke. They said Fortich, who has long been suffering from diabetes, might have died of old age. Funeral mass and burial will be on Tuesday, July 15, at the Bacolod Cathedral. Bishop Fortich, who won a Magsaysay Award in 1973, was born on Aug. 11, 1913, in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, to Ignacio Fortich and Rosalia Yapsutco. He was ordained priest on March 4, 1944, and was elected bishop of Bacolod in January, 1967. After a month he was consecrated as a bishop.

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