Sainthood process on for Ilocano bishop

VIGAN CITY, Philippines  â€“ Church dignitaries led by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, political leaders and Catholics turned out en masse last Friday for the celebration of a Mass marking the first step in the sainthood process for the late Lipa, Batangas bishop Alfredo Versoza.

After the Mass at the St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, the Vigan-born Versoza was declared a “Servant of God,” a title initially given to those being considered for sainthood.   

Local officials who attended the Mass were led by Rep. Ryan Luis Singson and Vigan Mayor Eva Medina.

The celebration drew an overflow crowd as far as Plaza Burgos. 

Religious groups came from various places in the Ilocos region and Batangas where Versoza served as the first Filipino bishop in the archdiocese of Lipa for 34 years, from 1916 to 1950.

Fr. Samson Solerique represented the Vatican in the event.

The remains of Versoza, who died in 1954, are kept in a crypt on the right side of the cathedral.