Pumanaw na sa edad na 93 ang pinakamatandang obispo sa Pilipinas na si Bishop Angel Tic-I Hobayan, ang Bishop Emeritus ng Catarman.
Sa isang pahayag, inanunsyo ni Catarman Bishop Emmanuel Trance pumanaw si Hobayan dakong 2:30 ng madaling araw nitong Sabado, Marso 11, sa Cardinal Santos Medical Center sa San Juan City, Metro Manila.
“With the sadness of heart but with the consolation of our faith, in behalf of the Diocese of Catarman and the immediate family, we announce the passing of our beloved in Christ,” ani Trance.
Ipinanganak si Hobayan noong December 11, 1929 sa Taft, Eastern Samar, ayon sa ulat ng Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
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Hinirang umano siya bilang pari noong 1955 at itinalaga ni Pope Paul VI bilang pinuno ng Diocese of Catarman noong 1974 hanggang sa nagning obispo noong 1975.
Matapos marating ang mandatory retirement age na 75 noong 2005, nagretiro na si Hobayan sa episcopal ministry.
“Today is exactly the 48th Canonical Foundation Anniversary of the Diocese of Catarman
which Bishop Angel has faithfully served being its first residential Bishop since 1975,” ani Trance.
“Bishop Angel Hobayan spent his long life of faithful dedication to the Church previously as a priest incardinated to the Diocese of Borangan then later as the first Bishop of Catarman,” dagdag niya.
Iaanunsyo naman umano ang mga detalye hinggil sa mangyayaring burol at libing ng obispo.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and relatives and to all the faithful of the Diocese of Catarman,” saad ni Trance.
