The Most Reverend

Oscar Valero Cruz

J.C.D., D.D.
Archbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan
Church
ArchdioceseLingayen–Dagupan
AppointedJuly 15, 1991
RetiredSeptember 8, 2009
PredecessorFederico Guba Limon
SuccessorSocrates B. Villegas
Other post(s)
Personal details
Born(1934-11-17)November 17, 1934
Balanga, Bataan, Philippine Islands
DiedAugust 26, 2020(2020-08-26) (aged 85)
San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Previous post(s)
Education
MottoIustitia Custodit Innocentis Viam
(Latin for 'Justice guards the way of the innocent'; Proverbs 13:16)
Ordination history
History
Priestly ordination
DateFebruary 10, 1962
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorBruno Torpigliani
Co-consecratorsJaime Lachica Sin,
Artemio Gabriel Casas
DateMay 3, 1976
PlaceImmaculate Conception, Cathedral, Manila, Archdiocese of Manila
Source(s):Catholic-Hierarchy.org[1]
Styles of
Oscar Valero Cruz
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop

Oscar Valero Cruz, J.C.D., D.D. (November 17, 1934 – August 26, 2020) was a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. He was the Archbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan in Pangasinan, Philippines, from 1991 until his retirement in 2009.

Biography

Oscar Cruz was born on November 17, 1934, in Balanga, Bataan, Philippines. He received his seminary training at the University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary, and further theology studies at the Lateran University.

His priestly ordination was on February 8, 1962, and his episcopal consecration on May 3, 1976. He was the first Filipino rector of San Carlos Seminary of the Archdiocese of Manila from 1973 to 1978. He was an auxiliary bishop of Manila (1976–1978) and archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando (1978–1988). He served as a judicial vicar of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) National Tribunal of Appeals, and director of the CBCP Legal Office. He was appointed Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan on July 15, 1991.

Cruz published many books, including CBCP Guidelines on Sexual Abuse and Misconduct: A Critique, and Call of the Laity.

Cruz was elected President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences and served from 1993–2000.

Controversy

Manila RTC, Branch 52 Judge Antonio Rosales on May 14, 2008, issued the warrant of arrest, granted the P10,000 bail motion, and Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz posted bail. Libel cases were filed against him after he accused the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) of using female staff to act like "guest relations officers (GROs)" during the 2004 birthday celebration of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. His arraignment was set on June 17.[2][3]

Retirement

On September 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the retirement of Archbishop Cruz.[4] He was succeeded by Socrates Villegas of the Diocese of Balanga on November 4, 2009.[5]

Death

Cruz died from complications of multiple organ failure caused by COVID-19 on August 26, 2020, at age 85 during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Archbishop Oscar Valero Cruz". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. February 25, 2024. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  2. ^ "gmanews.tv, Archbishop Cruz to post bail for libel case on Wednesday, 14 May 2008". Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
  3. ^ "gmanews.tv, Bishop posts bail; court sets arraignment on June 17". May 14, 2008. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2008.
  4. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 08.09.2009" [Resignations and Appointments, 08.09.2009] (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. September 8, 2009. B0544. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  5. ^ "Archbishop Socrates Buenaventura Villegas". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. March 6, 2024. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  6. ^ Gonzales, Cathrine (August 26, 2020). "Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz dies at 85". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  7. ^ "Former CBCP president Oscar Cruz succumbs to COVID-19". CNN Philippines. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on August 26, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.

External links

Catholic Church titles New title Rector of San Carlos Seminary 1978–1980 Succeeded byProtacio Gungon Preceded byEmilio Abera Cinense Archbishop of San Fernando 1978–1988 Succeeded byPaciano Aniceto Preceded byFederico G. Limon Archbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan 1991–2009 Succeeded bySocrates B. Villegas Preceded byCarmelo Dominador Flores Morelos CBCP President 1995–1999 Succeeded byOrlando Quevedo
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