Cebuano prelate moves closer to sainthood

Archbishop Teofilo Camomot (Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Cebu)

CEBU CITY – Cebu may soon have another saint after San Pedro Calungsod.

A Vatican commission that oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints has unanimously affirmed that Cebuano archbishop Teofilo Camomot lived a virtuous life.

The Archdiocese of Cebu on Wednesday announced that the theological commission of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican agreed that the late prelate possessed “heroic virtues.”

“With this favorable outcome, the cause of beatification and canonization of Bishop Camomot will be forwarded for further examination to the Commission of Bishops and Cardinals of the congregation. Upon completion of their study, the cause will be presented to the Holy Father (Pope Francis) for approval,” it said.

Once approved, Camomot will be declared “venerable” or two steps away from becoming a saint.

“From there, we wait for one miracle so that he will become a blessed. And once he become a blessed, we will wait for another miracle to become a saint,” said Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, who is on top of the cause of sainthood for Camomot.

Balili earlier sent to the Vatican the Positio which summarizes the life and virtues of the archbishop.

The Positio includes the biography of Camomot, the testimonies of witnesses, and explanation why the late archbishop should be declared a saint of the Catholic Church.

Balili called on the people to keep praying for the cause of sainthood of Camomot.

“We also ask the people to disseminate information about the sanctity of Archbishop Camomot so that more people will pray and receive favors through his intercession,” he said.

It was the Daughters of St. Teresa, a religious congregation founded by Camomot, which earlier petitioned for the opening of a cause for beatification and canonization of the Cebuano archbishop.

On Oct. 15, 2010, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, then the archbishop of Cebu, announced that the Holy See had approved the opening of the cause for Camomot’s beatification and canonization.

A diocesan inquiry was then made.

Since the cause for sainthood was started for Camomot, the late archbishop has been called a “Servant of God.”

Camomot, fondly known as Monsignor Lolong, was known for his exceptional love for the poor.

In some instances, the Carcar City native pawned his episcopal ring and pectoral cross (the large crucifix worn by bishops) and gave the proceeds to the poor.

The archbishop would also give away whatever he had to the needy.

Camomot died in a vehicular accident in San Fernando town on Sept. 27, 1988. He was 74.

The Archdiocese of Cebu ruled that the heroic virtues demonstrated by Archbishop Camomot are worthy of sainthood.

If his cause for sainthood will be approved by the Pope, Camomot will become the Philippines’ third saint next to San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and San Pedro Calungsod – both lay persons.