Most Reverend Leopoldo Sumaylo-Tumulak, the 5th bishop to serve the Diocese of Tagbilaran way back in 1992 died at the Cardinal Santos Hospital past 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon.
Tumulak whose mother is from Dauis town was born in Santander Cebu, 72 years ago. He suffered from pancreatic cancer.
The bishop will be extended full military honors during his burial at the Shrine of St. Therese in Pasay City. The date of the interment is yet to be decided. There are discussions done on whether the bishop’s remains will be brought to Tagbilaran for a night vigil since he served as bishop of the diocese for 13 years from |1992 to 2005.
His remains lie in state at the Shrine of St. Therese in Pasay City where hundreds of the parishioners started to pay their last respect to the departed church leader.
Bishop Alberto Uy and Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and Diocese of Talibon, respectively led the clergy in mourning the death of the bishop who was evidently loved by the Boholanos.
“Bishop Tumulak was a great loss as his contributions to the growth of the diocese will forever be remembered,” the bishops said.
He was the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines or the chaplain of the entire Armed Forces of the Phils. (AFP) after his assignment as bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
Tumulak was ordained priest on March 30, 1971 while he was consecrated as a bishop by Cardinal Vidal on Jan. 12, 1987. He served as rector of a Cebu seminary until he was asked by Rome to assume as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu from 1987 to 1992.
After his Cebu stint, he was named by Vatican as bishop of the diocese of Tagbilaran.
BOHOLANOS MOURN
Gov. Edgar Chatto and the Boholano flock mourned for the death of Bishop Tumulak.
Chatto expressed deep sadness when he learned of the passing away of whom he calls “one of Bohol’s well-loved bishops”.
The Bohol government and Boholano community join the Catholic clergy and Tumulak family in mourning over losing a “great pastor” who had served here “with love, concern, compassion, and fidelity,” Chatto said.
Bohol’s First Lady and Balilihan Mayor Pureza Chatto flies to Manila today to visit the bishop’s wake and personally extend condolences to the Tumulak family.
The governor said the bishop had already considered himself a Boholano as he constantly visited Bohol, more notably on special occasions.
Chatto recalled that when Tumulak was moved to Manila from Bohol, the governor, who was then serving in Congress, was “luckily” among those invited to the bishop’s military ordinariate installation. He joins the Boholanos in prayers for the eternal repose of his soul.