Church remembers Fr. Romano

CEBU, Philippines - The Archdiocese of Cebu commemorates the 28thanniversary of the disappearance of Fr. Rudy Romano, a Redemptorist priest, who was abducted by armed men of the deposed Marcos regime on July 11, 1985.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma relates the life and advocacy of Fr. Romano as a realization of what the Holy Father Pope Francis wishes.

Palma reiterated what Pope Francis said that the Year of Faith should be less preoccupied by non-essential rituals but more focused on being agents of God’s mercy to the poor, the suffering and those alienated from the Church because the mercy of God is always victorious.

He added that the Holy Father would be happy to know that in 80s, these acts were realized through Romano and other church people by defending the rights of the poor and the oppressed.

The Archdiocese of Cebu notes that in 1986, the City Government of Cebu installed a marker in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City to mark the place where Romano, who is also a human rights fighter, was abducted.

On the other hand, although Romano was from Samar, the Cebu Provincial Government also passed a resolution in 1987  adopting him as a son of the Province of Cebu  because of what the Redemptorist priest has done for Cebu.

Prior to his disappearance, Palma said that Romano has contributed much in promoting human rights, rendering concrete assistance and social services to less privileged Cebuanos.

Palma added that Romano also had a great contribution in making Cebu a strong bastion of the people’s successful fight for freedom and justice during the dark years of dictatorship.

However, the abduction and disappearance of Romano and a student leader, Levi Ybañez, 28 years ago have not been resolved, Palma said.

“Fr. Rudy showed us how to be advocates for social renewal. He showed us how to be like Jesus, who loved the poor, lived and died for salvation of all,” Palma said in a statement.  (FREEMAN)