Fr. O’Neal Sanchez Appointed Interim Head of Tarlac Diocese
Fr. O’Neal Sanchez has been appointed as the interim head of the Tarlac Diocese, succeeding the late Bishop Enrique Macaraeg.
The diocese’s board of consultors announced Sanchez’s appointment in a statement released on Tuesday.
“While we grieve the unexpected passing of our cherished bishop, we implore continued prayers for his soul and for our diocese’s intentions,” the statement read.
“Despite our grief, the diocese is committed to persevering and fulfilling the mission given by our Lord, Jesus Christ,” the statement continued.
Until a new bishop is appointed by Pope Francis, Sanchez will hold the position. Macaraeg was buried earlier that day.
Before this role, Sanchez held positions as the diocese’s vicar general and was the head priest at the Santuario de la Inmaculada Conception.
Bishop Macaraeg passed away on October 23 from a heart attack at 67 years old. He dedicated approximately seven years to the Tarlac diocese, marking his inaugural bishopric role.
The funeral Mass at San Sebastian Cathedral in Tarlac city was led by Archbishop Florentino Lavarias of San Fernando.
Lavarias, during his sermon, remarked, “In the face of death, our lives may seem consumed by shadow, yet this very shadow exists because of the presence of light.”
“This light, our Lord, beckoned us and our departed brother to serve, to embrace priesthood and bishopric, becoming reflections of Him, and therein lies our solace,” he elaborated.
The funeral was attended by roughly 25 bishops and numerous priests. The late bishop’s body was laid to rest behind the cathedral’s main altar.