Fr. Gallego passes away at 56

The Archdiocese of Cebu has one priest less to serve its flock.

Fr. Raul Gallego, who made significant contributions for the success of the national thanksgiving celebration of St. Pedro Calungsod last year, died last Tuesday evening.

He suffered a heart attack while driving his car on the way to Parkmall in Mandaue City at around 10 p.m.

Gallego was brought to the Mandaue District Hospital. But the 56-year-old priest was declared dead on arrival. His death happened two days before the start of the novena of St. Pedro Calungsod at the archdiocesan shrine in Cebu City which was dedicated to the Visayan martyr.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in an interview, lauded Gallego for preparing the venue of Calungsod’s thanksgiving celebration last Nov. 30, 2012.

“He did a very wonderful job for the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod. He was in charge of the physical arrangement and that was hard work to me,” he said.

Gallego’s body lies at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels in Mandaue City. Palma said it will be brought to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Balamban, Cebu where Gallego served as parish priest. His body will be transported back to Cebu City and stay at the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Lahug where he likewise served as priest in the past. Gallego will be buried on March 22./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol