CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- News of the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan on Wednesday, August 26, at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City was met with sadness by his former flock in the Archdiocese of San Fernando where he once served as archbishop.
Cruz died from coronavirus disease (Covid-19), not from a lingering illness as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news service initially announced. Quoting Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan, CBCP News reported that Cruz succumbed to “multiple organ failure caused by critical Covid-19 infection.”
He was the third Filipino prelate to contract the novel coronavirus after Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of the Manila archdiocese, and Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez of Kalookan. Both Pabillo and Iñiguez have already recovered. Cruz’s remains were cremated and brought to Dagupan City and laid to rest Friday morning, August 28, 2020.
Cruz died at the age of 85. He was born on November 17, 1934, in Balanga City, Bataan, Philippines. He received his seminary training at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary and further theology studies at the Lateran University.
His priestly ordination was on February 8, 1962, and his episcopal consecration on May 3, 1976. He was the first Filipino rector of San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila from 1973 to 1978. He also served as an auxiliary bishop of Manila (1976–1978).
Cruz was the Archbishop of San Fernando from May 22, 1978 until October 24, 1988, succeeding Archbishop Emilio Cinense. He was in turn succeeded by now Archbishop Emeritus Paciano B. Aniceto.
After which, he became the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan from 1991 to 2009 and has served as CBCP president from 1995-1999.
Cruz had left considerable work in Pampanga. He is credited for saving historical and cultural artifacts of the church when he put up the Archdiocesan Museum at the University of the Assumption.
It was Cruz that initiated the establishment of the pre-college, college, and theology departments of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary which was a minor seminary when he came to Pampanga.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cabetican, Bacolor and the Chapel of the Holy Eucharist in this city were initiatives of the prelate to promote greater devotion among Kapampangans.
Condolences from the Vatican
Pope Francis sent his condolences over the death of Cruz, through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who relayed the message of the Pontiff during the funeral mass for Cruz at the Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City.
"His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz and sends prayerful condolences to you and the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan," said Parolin.
The Vatican official relayed the blessing coming from the Pope to those mourning over Cruz's passing.
"To all who mourn his passing in the sure hope of the resurrection, the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and strength in the risen Lord," said Parolin. (With HDT/SunStar Philippines)