Msgr Cris Garcia passes away at 69

CEBU, Philippines —   A well-loved priest in Cebu, Msgr. Cristobal Cris Garcia died yesterday at the age of 69.

This was confirmed by Garcia’s family in their official statement.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, and uncle, Monsignor Cris Garcia, on May 10, 2021, read the statement.

According to the family, Msgr. Garcia died while receiving care in Manila for complications including pneumonia, heart failure and acute kidney failure.

Monsignor Cris was a man of vision, character, and many talents, but above all, he was a man dedicated to God and the Church. The power of his faith granted him a presence that could fill not just a room, but an entire cathedral, with a skill unmatched in delivering powerful, inspiring and touching homilies, the family statement read.

The family added that Monsignor Garcia founded the Society of the Angel of Peace and the Dominus Pascit Me Foundation to promote God within both the clergy and the laity.

We, in his family, knew him as a man of deep intellect and boisterous humor whose laugh filled our hearts, the statement said adding they will remain inspired by the impact of the monsignors legacy in their lives.

Monsignor Joseph Tan, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu, remembered Monsignor Garcia as someone who is well-loved among the priest community in Cebu.

He is well-loved gyud sa atong nga pari. Dili siya asyuso. He is an active collaborator of the Cebu Archdiocese. We truly missed him, said Monsignor Tan.

Tan said that Monsignor Garcia retired as a priest sometime in 2011 due to health reasons.

Tan also said that Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma will just support whatever the wishes of the family whether Monsignor Garcia will be brought back to Cebu for the funeral.

The family added that they are still currently making arrangements to bring his body home to Cebu where he will lie in state before burial.

The Archdiocese of Cebu invites the pious readers and their followers to pray for the eternal repose of Msgr. Garcias soul. - GMR (FREEMAN)