Parish priest in Cebu among casualties due to ‘Odette’

CEBU CITY—A parish priest was among the fatalities during the onslaught of typhoon “Odette” last Dec. 16, according to the Archdiocese.

In a statement, the body of Fr. Eliseo “Leo” Fernandez was washed ashore in Toledo City, Cebu last December 18, or two days after the typhoon struck.

Fernandez was the parish priest of Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church in Badian town located beside the Matutinao River.

He was declared missing after he could not be found after the onslaught.

It was believed that the priest was swept away by strong current after the river overflowed and hit the church.

The statement said policemen from Toledo City, located 96 km north of Badian, informed Church authorities about a body that was found floating in the shores of Barangay Bato, Toledo on Dec. 18 and had not been claimed since.

A representative of the archdiocese went to Toledo to identify the body.

“Indications were high that this could be Fr. Leo’s due to the ring that has a cross design,” the statement said.

The ring also had his name engraved.