Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kidapawan (Agenzia Fides) - In a climate of prayer and emotion, the communities of Mindanao and the entire Church in the Philippines said farewell to Fr. Fausto Tentorio, the missionary of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) killed on October 17 in Arakan, in the province of North Cotabato. The funeral was held today, 25 October at 9.30 am at the Cathedral of Notre Dame Kidapawan. As reported to Fides by His Exc. Mgr. Romulo de la Cruz, Bishop of Kidapawan, the main celebrant along with 6 other Bishops concelebrants "there was an atmosphere of holiness" (for the contents of the homily, see another article of Fides, ndr.) The funeral Mass was, in fact, prepared by a prayer vigil which began on the afternoon of the 24th , since the body of the missionary was in the cathedral. There were prayers and songs throughout the night, and a Mass celebrated every three hours, to remember and accompany to heaven Fr. Fausto’s soul.
People from different dioceses of Mindanao came to the funeral: caravans and coaches transported more than 15 thousand people to Kidapawan, mostly tribal and indigenous people from the mountains and peasants. 70 priests and religious, the 20 PIME missionaries present in the Philippines (and the Superior General Fr. Gian Battista Zanchi), hundreds of nuns, even the Italian Ambassador in Manila, Luca Fornari, and the governor of North Cotabato, Emmylou Talino attended the funeral.
After the celebration, a long procession was articulated for 4 miles, accompanying his body to the grave, next to the other PIME missionary, Fr. Tullio Favali. The parade was also attended by activists of the movement "Justice for father Pops" who exposed their banners.
Bishop De La Cruz remarked to Fides: "We hope that the killers are identified and brought to justice, that they repent, ask forgiveness and undergo a conversion. We are confident that the mission of Fr. Fausto will continue and bear fruit. Our church will be strengthened by his martyrdom".
Fr. Socrates Mesiona, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Philippines defines Fr. Tentorio a "true missionary and a true martyr", stressing to Fides that "his death will not be in vain, but will feed the deep commitment to serve the poor and marginalized, in particular the tribal people and the indigenous in the country. Those who love him and knew him, as a man of peace, will continue to shout out for justice until it is obtained". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/10/2011)
