The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) grieved for the passing of two retired bishops, which happened just two hours apart.

CBCP Bishop Emeritus Nereo Odchimar, 83, who was also the former president of CBCP died on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 10:27 a.m. in San Pedro Hospital in Davao City.
Meanwhile, Bishop Honesto “Onie” Pacana, 91, died at 12:33 p.m. on the same day at the Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital in Cagayan De Oro City.
Odchimar, said CBCP, served and led the Diocese of Tandag for almost 17 years.
CBCP said according to the diocese, Odchimar endured a long fight against diabetes and kidney complications.
“He died of metabolic encephalopathy due to end-stage renal disease and diabetic nephropathy,” according to the diocese.
CBCP said Odchimar, who was born in Bacuag town in the province of Surigao del Norte, was appointed as a priest on Dec. 19, 1964, while on Oct. 18, 2001, he was assigned to be the second bishop of Tandag.
"True to his episcopal motto ‘Duc in Altum’, he served the Diocese of Tandag with utmost zeal and dedication," according to the diocese, said CBCP.
Moreover, aside from being the 18th CBCP president from 2009 to 2011, Odchimar was also the then chairman of its Episcopal Commission on Canon Law.
Meanwhile, Pacana who served at the Diocese of Malaybalay was confined at the hospital for several days before passing away, the diocese said.
“Please join us in offering prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Bishop Onie and for the whole Diocese of Malaybalay as we mourn and find strength in our shared faith,” said the diocese.
CBCP said Pacana was appointed as a Jesuit priest on June 10, 1965, while on Jan. 12, 1994, he was ordained as the bishop of Malaybalay.
CBCP said he served the diocese for almost 16 years before he retired in February 2010.
CBCP said the diocese claimed that Pacana had encouraged "countless" individuals and uplifted them with his wisdom, compassion, and devotion.
Moreover, CBCP said Pacana was the first chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Culture which was formed in 1994.