Retired Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD, Bishop Emeritus of Sorsogon and Romblon, passed away at the age of 80 around 6:30 a.m. on World Mission Sunday, October 20, at his brother's home in Cainta, Rizal, as confirmed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in a Facebook post.
Those who know him were quick to post online their condolences, prayers and gratitude for his legacies.
He has been a vocal critique on different national issues like mining, reproductive health, divorce and the SOGIE bill In 2017, drug-related killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and lessons to be learned from Martial Law.
He was born on April 1, 1944, in Loboc and ordained a Society of the Divine Word (SVD) priest on November 28, 1970, at Rizal Park. Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Romblon on July 3, 1997, and his episcopal ordination took place on August 21, 1997, in Cebu City.
About five years later, we were nominated as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Sorsogon and succeeded as Bishop of Sorsogon on April 17, 2003.
Alumni Saint Augustine Seminary (SAS) members remembered him, their former SVD regent.
“He was a frater and regent at St. Augustine Minor Seminary in Calapan way back in the 60s when I was a seminarian. I cannot forget his intelligence and talent, especially in music. He organized the seminary choir performing at its best during programs in Calapan during his time.”, said Romeo Cuasay in a post on social media.
“His dedication and service to the church as a shepherd to his flock and God until his death is worthy of emulation and will be remembered by all those whose hearts and lives He touched”, said Cuasay.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
