Tarlac bishop succumbs to cardiac arrest

TARLAC Bishop Enrique Macaraeg passed away last Monday night due to cardiac arrest reportedly while playing basketball in Malasaqui, Pangasinan.

In a report by CBCP News, Macaraeg died “from an apparent cardiac arrest” at the age of 67 years old.

“The bishop was reportedly playing at a basketball tournament in his hometown when he collapsed on the court,” said CBCP News, the official news agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Given the supposed circumstances surrounding the bishop’s death, the Diocese of Tarlac yesterday appealed to the public to stop sharing alleged videos of the prelate’s final moments.

“There is a video that is going viral showing Bp. Macaraeg’s last moments. With respect to the family and to Bp. Macaraeg, please refrain from sharing,” said the Diocese.

“Advise others also to just keep it private and not post it publicly on their walls,” it added.

In a statement, Tarlac Diocese Vicar General Fr. O’Neal Sanchez appealed to the public to instead pray for the soul of the late bishop.

“The Diocese of Tarlac mourns the sudden death of our Bishop. With grief and sadness in our hearts, we ask you to continue to pray for his eternal repose,” said Sanchez.