TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines—Bohol Bishop Leonardo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran has called for solidarity and prayers of parishioners after the apparent suicide of a parish priest stirred the predominantly Catholic province.

Many Catholics mourned the death of Father Marcelino Biliran, a 56-year-old parish priest of St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church in Loboc town, who was found dead inside his room at the convent.

READ: Parishioners mourn priest’s death in Bohol town

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The Loboc police said Biliran took his own life by hanging himself in the toilet of his room using an extension wire.

READ: Priest hangs self in Bohol

Some relatives and close friends of Biliran said the priest fell into depression after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.

In a statement, Medroso and the rest of the Presbyterium of the Diocese of Tagbilaran mourned the death of Biliran whom he described as “a gift to the Church as he was very generous, meek and humble, and was known to be a good Pastor.”

“While aware of his terminal illness, we are shocked and confused at this untimely loss yet resolved to respect the findings of the police authority with regards to the tragic death of our brother priest,” he added.

Medroso urged the faithful to pray for the people of God.

“In the midst of this present tribulation, we continue to appeal for God’s mercy in behalf of our brother priest.

We likewise appeal to the faithful to continue praying for us, to strengthen us in our personal struggles and for us to wade through life’s challenges,” he said.

The death of Biliran made headlines in Bohol’s local papers and divided the faithful about the Church’s stand on suicide.

“This sad incident might have shaken the faith of some of our brothers and sisters, but we pray that the grace of God will turn this mourning into a profound experience of faith and a more intimate personal relationship with God. With God’s mercy and guidance, we resolve to strengthen our solidarity anchored on love, humility, and compassion—the Priesthood of Christ,” said Medroso.

Medroso was scheduled to celebrate a funeral Mass for Biliran on Saturday, to be followed by burial at the Necropolis at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary Compound, Taloto District in this city.

Biliran earned her Bachelor of Arts Major in Philosophy at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Taloto District in this city and he studied at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos in Barangay (village) Mabolo, Cebu City.

He was ordained in the Diocese of Tagbilaran on April 12, 1999, where he celebrated his 25th sacerdotal anniversary this year.

Biliran became parish priest of several parishes in Bohol. He was parish priest of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Bilar before he was transferred to St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Loboc on June 8, 2015. RAM

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