Oriental Mindoro bishop in coma; faithful asked for prayers

MOST REV. WARLITO I. CAJANDIG, D.D. Photo from CBCP Online

CITY OF CALAPAN – Oriental Mindoro Bishop Warlito Cajandig went into coma at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, Metro Manila following a mild stroke on Saturday morning, and Fr. Nestor Adalia, vicar general of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan on Monday appealed to the faithful to offer prayers for the prelate.

In a phone conversation, Adalia said the bishop is also suffering from some major medical complications, which he did not elaborate.

“It’s a wait-and-see now. We continue to appeal for prayers,” he said.

On Saturday, Cajandig suffered a mild stroke at his residence-office in Barangay (village) Salong in Calapan City. He was taken to the intensive care unit of Maria Estrella General Hospital and, by noon time, he was ferried in an ambulance to Manila.

On Sunday, physicians decided a brain surgery would be best and an effective medical option because his stroke closely bordered to comatose. His right brain was heavily damaged and the left brain was swollen, Adalia confirmed.

Cajandig has been bishop of Oriental Mindoro province for nearly three decades. Among his advocacies were good governance and lay empowerment.

He has announced his retirement for January next year.  /kga