ILOILO City – A well-known priest died while being treated at a private hospital in this city on All Souls’ Day.
Seventy-three-year-old Reverend Father Espiridion “Boy” Celis Jr., a resident of Barangay Pali, Mandurriao district and former priest of the Parish of Saint Anne (Molo district), died around 12:15 p.m.
According to Father Angelo Colada, director of the Archdiocese of Jaro’s Commission on Social Communications, complications may have caused Celis’ death.
Celis contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in September this year and recovered.
From the hospital, he continued recuperating in his home with the help of high-flow oxygen.
“Pero sang Friday (Oct. 29) medyo nabudlayaan naman sia sa pagginhwa. Gindala naman sia sa (Iloilo Mission Hospital) kag didto sia nagtinir until nagtaliwan,” Colada said.
Colada said even though Celis no longer had a parish assignment, he continued to be active in service by holding Masses around this city.
Mayor Jerry Treñas and Councilor Candace Tupas extended their sympathies.
“He was a good friend and a supporter of the programs of the city government,” said Treñas.
“We will miss you Father Boy Celis. He was very good to me and Lex. He was the one who was just a call away,” Tupas said./PN
