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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Popular Ilonggo priest passes away

Philippines

Popular Ilonggo priest passes away

By Tara Yap

Iloilo City — A popular, but controversial priest in Iloilo has passed away the day Roman Catholics mark All Souls’ Day.

The Archdiocese of Jaro confirmed that Fr. Espiridion Celis Jr. or more popularly known as “Fr. Boy”, died 12:15 p.m. of November 2. He was 73-years-old.

In 2017, Fr. Celis asked the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy to rule on the order of then Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo in reshuffling priests in different parishes in the city and province of Iloilo.

Fr. Espiridion “Boy” Celis Jr. presiding over a Eucharistic Mass at St. Anne’s Parish (Molo Church) in Iloilo City in December 2017. (Tara Yap/File/Manila Bulletin)

Fr. Celis questioned Lagdameo’s order that was supposed to transfer him as parish priest of the historic St. Anne’s Parish or Molo Church in Iloilo City to the church in Barotac Nuevo town.

At that time, Molo Church parishioners wanted Fr. Celis to stay and continue the programs he has instituted as parish priest.

The Ilonggo priest had made several controversial stand over the years.

Unlike many in the Roman Catholic hierarchy, Fr. Celis supported the construction and operation of the coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City.

Fr. Celis was a beloved figure when he served as director of the archdiocese’s campus and youth ministry as well as being the director for mass media.

Fr. Celis was also a computer programmer. He taught Computer Science at DePaul University, the largest Catholic university in the United States located in Chicago, Illinois.

When Fr. Celis came back to Iloilo City, he also opened a pizzeria in Mandurriao district that served Chicago’s deep-dish pizza. His restaurant also gave employment to young parishioners.

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