Bishop Victor Ocampo of the Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon province died on Thursday, March 16, due to a heart attack at the age of 71. (Photo from the Facebook Page of San Diego de Alcala Cathedral)
LUCENA CITY — Bishop Victor Ocampo of the Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon province died on Thursday, March 16, due to a heart attack. He was 71.
The news website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) announced Ocampo’s death.
The bishop died at 5:58 p.m. at a hospital in Gumaca, the CBCP said, citing information from Fr. Tony Ryan del Moro, the diocese’s chancellor.
Quezon Gov. Angelina Tan, on a social media post on Thursday, extended her “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies” to the family and loved ones of the bishop.
“Thank you for your selfless and unconditional love for God that you bestowed upon our people and Quezon province,” Tan said.
Ocampo, born in Angeles City in 1952, was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan province in 1977.
After his ordination, he worked in eight parishes, and served as director of various diocesan departments, such as the catechetical office, the liturgical commission, the Biblical apostolate, and the family and life commission.
On June 12, 2015, Pope Francis appointed him as the third bishop of Gumaca. He was ordained to the episcopate on Aug. 29, 2015, and was installed on Sept. 3, the CBCP noted.
Ocampo just marked his 71st birthday on March 6.
The Diocese of Gumaca covers the towns of Gumaca, Buenavista, Calauag, Catanauan, General Luna, Guinayangan, Lopez, Macalelon, Mulanay, Pitogo, San Andres, San Francisco, San Narciso, Tagkawayan and the island municipalities of Alabat, Perez and Quezon. INQ