Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma (NESTLE SEMILLA/INQUIRER VISAYAS)
CEBU CITY –– Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Msgr. Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, said Palma is now under the care of the Perpetual Succour Hospital in this city.
“The people, who have been in close contact with the archbishop, have also been informed about the matter,” Tan said in a statement.
“The archbishop remains in a stable condition. Let us all pray for his steady and speedy recovery,” he added.
Palma, a native of Dingle, Iloilo, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to lead the Archdiocese of Cebu in January 2011.
The 70-year-old prelate replaced Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who retired after serving the archdiocese for 29 years.
Palma became the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines before he chose to forego reelection so he can focus on the preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress that was held in Cebu City in January 2016.
Palma is on top of preparations for the 500th anniversary of the Christianization of the Philippines.
LZB