A DAY before the 40-day memorial period for the late Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal ended, another Cebuano bishop passed away.
Talibon, Bohol Bishop Emeritus Christian Vicente Noel died yesterday in the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City at 2:44 a.m. He died on the same day as the feast of Christ the King.
He turned 80 just last Nov. 17.
Noel died due to complications attributed to diabetes and prostate cancer.
The late bishop’s nephew, Fr. Rosdel Noel, told SunStar Cebu that his uncle was admitted in the hospital a few days after Cardinal Vidal died. He stayed in intensive care for a month before succumbing to his ailments.
Msgr. Joseph Tan, Cebu Archdiocesan spokesperson, said that Bishop Noel’s wake will be held at the Archbishop’s Residence in Cebu City until Nov. 29.
On Nov. 30, Noel’s remains will be brought to the Diocese of Talibon.
Tan said they have yet to discuss the funeral arrangements.Noel, who hailed from Asturias, Cebu, was the second of eight children.
He was ordained a priest on March 19, 1961.
Two decades later, he was elevated as auxiliary bishop of Cagayan de Oro.
After six years, he was elevated as the first bishop of Talibon where he had served for 27 years.
Noel retired as bishop in 2014. (JKV)