The President spoke about Fortich’s accomplishments at the necrological rites held at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City.
The 89-year-old bishop died last July 2 due to a lingering illness after almost two months of confinement at a hospital.
Speaking in Hiligaynon, Mrs. Arroyo said that not only the Catholic faithful in Bacolod, but the entire Filipino nation, expressed "great sadness" over the death of a church leader like Fortich, whom she said was a "strong pillar" during times of crisis.
She recalled the work done by Fortich at the height of the insurgency problem in Negros, which won the respect of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. The bishop had interceded on behalf of the poor sacada farmers.
By mediating between the government and the NPA rebels, Fortich was instrumental to the creation of a "zone of peace" in the hinterlands of Cantomanyog, Kabankalan in the province of Negros, the President said.
"It was not surprising that he was called Kumander Tony with respect because of his work and service to the people as a disciple of Christ," she said.
Mrs. Arroyo said her fondness for the late bishop comes from the fact that she is married to a Negrense.
"Let us try to live our lives through his examples," she said.
Pope John Paul II also expressed sadness over Fortich’s death, recalling the bishop’s zealous ministry and his concern for the dignity and rights of the poor.
The Pope’s condolences were contained in a message from Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State to the Vatican, and read by Fr. Walter Erbi, secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.
"The Holy Father was saddened by the demise of Bishop Fortich… His Holiness joins the Mass in commending his soul to the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ in the hope of resurrection," the Pope’s letter of condolence read.
Erbi also read the message of Papal Nuncio Bishop Antonio Franco, who lauded Fortich’s work for the renewal of the Church and the welfare of the poor.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), headed by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, and other church leaders also attended the necrological rites.
A distraught devotee wailed uncontrollably at the altar, but was quietly restrained by plainclothes personnel of the Presidential Security Group.
A glass carriage adorned with white orchids and chrysanthemums held Fortich’s remains. It circled the public plaza during the funeral march, preceded by a band playing a dirge.
Students from different Catholic schools in the province joined the procession, bearing placards describing Fortich as a "Man of God" and a "Man of Peace."
Fortich, often referred to as the "Bishop for the Poor," was finally laid to rest at the right side of the altar at San Sebastian Cathedral.
His predecessors, Bishops Casimiro Lladoc and Emmanuel Yap, were also buried at the right side of the altar.
About 20,000 parishioners from the dioceses of Bacolod, San Carlos and Kabankalan trooped to the cathedral to join the requiem Mass that was celebrated by Bishop Vicente Navarra and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, with 14 bishops, 300 diocesan priests and members of the clergy from other religious orders.
Members of the Fortich family from Dumaguete were also present, save for the late bishop’s ailing 88-year-old sister, Caridad, who is confined in hospital for heart problems.
Lagdameo, in his homily during the requiem Mass, said that for Fortich, "the heart of the conviction was not just social justice and peace; it was the deep consciousness that this is the heart of God… A God who hears the cry of the poor, a God who cries and suffers and struggles with the poor, a heart whose identity is to serve the less fortunate, the marginalized and the oppressed."
Fortich stuck his neck out for the poor and must have been hurt many times by being branded as a leftist instigator, a misplaced cleric turned troublemaker, Lagdameo said.
"He brought the Church down from its floating pedestal, down to the heart of the struggling masses," he said.
Lagdameo added that in his lifetime, Fortich was "good news" for a Church struggling to show it is a "Church of justice and peace, a Church of the Poor."
"We honor his legacy best and offer him the best award when we choose to continue his conviction," he said.
Meanwhile, the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) criticized the President, saying it is "the height of hypocrisy" for her to honor Fortich
"Her administration’s policies are far from the pursuit of genuine peace, land reform and social justice. We only hope that the President will be sincere in her grieving by living out the legacy of Bishop Fortich — to promote peace rather than all-out war and uphold the rights of the poor over interests of herself and the country’s elite," PCPR spokesman Fr. Allan Jose Arcebuche said in a statement.
He added that Fortich’s life is "a powerful reminder and inspiration to his fellow bishops and priests to stand up for the oppressed even in the face of persecution by the repressive government." — With Marichu Villanueva