Cebu prelates now home from hospital after contracting Covid-19

CEBU CITY — Two prelates who tested positive for Covid-19 over a week ago have returned home.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and retired Bishop Antonio Rañola were discharged from the hospital at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, and have gone back to the Archbishop’s Residence in this city.

In a message, Palma thanked those who prayed for their speedy recovery.

“It’s nice to be home (so we could) resume our duties and ministries. We know thousands have been affected and many have perished. For us who were given another opportunity to continue our ministry, we say praise God!,” said the 70-year-old archbishop.

“We take this occasion to sincerely thank the hospital administration, the doctors, caregivers, and the many people whose prayers reached heaven and whose care make us feel truly loved,” he added.

Palma and Rañola were brought to the Perpetual Succour Hospital last February 19 after showing symptoms of Covid-19.

They were later found to have acquired SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

Palma, a native of Dingle, Iloilo, was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to lead the Archdiocese of Cebu in January 2011.

He replaced Ricardo Cardinal Vidal who retired after serving the archdiocese for 29 years.

Palma was president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines before he chose to forego reelection to focus on preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress that was held in Cebu City in January 2016.

Palma is currently on top of the preparations for the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.