Bishop Francisco Claver, 81

MANILA, July 1, 2010-One of the strongest defenders of civil rights among the bishops at the height of strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos' Martial Law passed away at 2:41 AM today at the Intensive Care Unit of pulmonary embolism at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Pulmonary embolism is a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in one's lungs become blocked. Medical professionals say in most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from another part of the body and most commonly, from one's legs.

Bishop Francisco F. Claver was born in Bontoc on January 20, 1929 and became a Jesuit priest at age 32 on June 18, 1961. At age 40, he was appointed Prelate of Malaybalay in Bukidnon province.

Bishop Claver chaired the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1995-1999.

Bishop "Cisco" as called by fellow bishops was ordained Titular Bishop of Nationa on August 22, 1969 and became Bishop of Malaybalay in November 15, 1982. He resigned from his post in Bukidnon on September 14, 1984.

At age 66, he was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Bontoc-Lagawe, his hometown, on November 2, 1995 and retired after reaching the mandatory age of 75 in April 15, 2004.

From 1995 to 2004, he served as Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe and health problems brought him back to San Jose Seminary in 2006. A prolific writer, he authored The Making of a Local Church.

In a text message, Cotabato archbishop Orlando B. Quevedo aptly eulogizes bishop Claver thus: "Filipino prophet without peer, truest priest, innovative humble shepherd, a very dear friend. He is with Jesus whom he proclaimed with eloquent words, spoken and written, in all arena of human life. Who can take his place? My tears flow."

While in retirement, Claver was a columnist of the CBCP Monitor, the official newspaper of the CBCP.

He suffered a stroke several months ago and after spending some time at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, he returned to the infirmary of the Loyola House of Studies.

"Early Wednesday, he suffered breathing problems and low blood pressure forced his return to the hospital for the last time," explained Fr. William M. Abbott, S.J., Socious of the Society of Jesus.

On Tuesday, the remains will be brought back from Lagawe to the Oratory of St. Ignatius at Loyola House of Studies at the Ateneo de Manila Campus.

The bishop will be laid to rest at the Sacred Heart Novitiate Cemetery in Novaliches, Quezon City after the funeral Mass on Wednesday, July 7 at 2:30 P.M. at the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies. (CBCPNews)