Remains of Bishop Bastes arrive in Sorsogon; public viewing, funeral set

Bishop Emeritus Arturo Bastes (Photo from CBCP News)

SANTA MAGDALENA, Sorsogon — The remains of Bishop Emeritus Arturo Bastes were received by church leaders and the faithful as they arrived in Sorsogon on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Fr. Rowan Gramonte, parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, led a para-liturgical rite as the remains reached the Sorsogon Cathedral at around 8:20 a.m.

The ceremony followed a motorcade from Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay.

Albay Bishop Joel Bailon, together with Sorsogon Bishop Jose Alan Dialogo and members of the clergy, attended the initial liturgical reception at the airport, where Bailon offered a brief prayer for the late bishop.

A mass was held at the Sorsogon Cathedral at 10 a.m., presided over by Bishop Dialogo.

Bastes’ remains will be open for public viewing until Oct. 29, with a scheduled eulogy at 6 p.m. on that day.

He will be laid to rest on Oct. 30 after a concelebrated mass presided by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Charles John Brown.

Bishops from various dioceses are expected to attend the funeral.

Bastes’ remains were initially scheduled to arrive on Wednesday but were delayed due to bad weather. INQ