A Tribute To Bishop Fortich at Diocese of Bacolod, Philippines, Bacolod City, Philippines 6100 PH - On 89th Birthday

Bishop Lauds Fortich on 89th Birthday BY CARLA GOMEZ (Daily Star - August 12, 2002) A great defender of human rights and a protagonist of the church stand on social issues - that was how Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday described Bishop Emeritus Antonio Y. Fortich. Navarra had joined a concelebrated mass at the Sacred Heart Shrine in Bacolod City to mark the 89th birthday of Fortich. Navarra said he prays that the Lord will continue to bless Fortich, because that, "in a sense, will be a blessing to us, too, in the Diocese of Bacolod." The presence of Fortich is very, very powerful in the sense that he has endeared himself to all of us and is a very great inspiration to us in the Diocese of Bacolod, Navarra added. Navarra also wished the other celebrator, Msgr. Victorino Rivas, a happy birthday. "I hope his health will improve and he will continue journeying with us in the Diocese of Bacolod," he added. "We really need his expertise and his powerful personality. I assure him of my prayers and support," he added. Meanwhile, Navarra yesterday reiterated his stand "that premarital sex can never be condoned by the church." "This is totally erroneous and morally wrong" he said in reaction to a statement of Sister Purification Mendoza at the Visayas AIDS Convention in Bacolod City last week. "Boys also go through the 'rite of passage' to be 'full-fledged men' by encouraging them through their first sexual relation or experience," she said.*CPG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Arroyo, Ramos seeking prayers for Fortich BY CARLA GOMEZ "I am asking our people, especially my fellow Negrenses, to join me in praying for Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in a call last night. Arroyo aired the appeal after learning from the DAILY STAR that Fortich is seriously ill. "Bishop Fortich is singularly distinguished for his commitment to the poor and for guiding the Church toward the direction of the less fortunate among us. "For this the faithful will always hold him in grateful remembrance. Let us all join in praying for our good bishop and implore the Almighty to bless him always," Arroyo said. Former President Fidel Ramos, in a letter to Fortich, also informed him that he, his family and friends are continuing to pray for the prelate's recovery. Ramos' letter was read to Fortich last week when he was still conscious and could still give a weak smile or wink at people who came to visit him, although he could no longer speak. He was also able to express the pain he was feeling through his facial expressions. Then, four days ago, the condition of Fortich, who turns 90 on Aug. 11, took a turn for the worst. He no longer responds to people who speak to him, nor show any reaction to pain. His system appears to be failing, doctors said. Msgr. Victorino Rivas, Fr. Greg Patiño and close friends were keeping watch over Fortich yesterday. Last week former President Corazon Aquino also inquired about the condition of the former bishop of the Bacolod Diocese. Ramos, in his letter to Fortich, said he, his wife, Amelita, and their children were praying for the prelate's recovery. "We pray that the good Lord will continue to bless you and through your intercessions - the country and Filipino people in continuing service to God," Ramos wrote. Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra has called for prayers for Fortich, who is being kept alive through a respirator at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City. Fortich, 89, was in the Intensive Care Unit from April 28 to May 16, but has since been transferred to a private room. In November, Fortich suffered a mild stroke due to fatigue and was hospitalized for about 10 days. When he returned to the Domus Dei where he lives in Bacolod City, he lost weight gradually because he found it difficult to swallow his food and in February was hospitalized again for two weeks. The bishop who had slightly recovered and was still ambulant, went to Dumaguete City over Holy Week to visit an ailing sister. On his return, his situation worsened and he had to be hospitalized. He has lost his capacity to breath on his own that is why we have been put him on a respirator, his doctor, Angel Araneta, said earlier. He had a tracheotomy, to allow a tube to go down the trachea to provide a breathing channel. Fortich has had diabetes since 1990 and has suffered several small strokes, Araneta said.*CPG

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