Ex-Pres. Cory Aquino's spiritual adviser Fr. Catalino Arevalo passes away

Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, friend and spiritual adviser of the late former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, has passed away at the age of 97, Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said on Wednesday.

"Our dear mentor and friend, Fr Catalino Arevalo, SJ, whom we fondly called 'Fr Revs', has passed on," David said in a post on Facebook.

Arevalo died at 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Bishop David said.

He would have been 98 years old in three months, the CBCP president added.

Arevalo has been close to the Aquino family and even celebrated a Mass during the 86th birth anniversary of former President Cory on January 25, 2019 at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City. During the homily, he urged all her loved ones to cherish the moments they had with the late president.

The Jesuit priest did not hesitate to speak out against politicians.

In 2012, Arevalo called out Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago for repeatedly berating the prosecution in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. 

Bishop David called Arevalo a "great teacher."

"May this great teacher to whom we owe our love for theological learning and the spiritual discipline of discernment rest in the peace of God’s embrace. I know what was his heart’s most ardent prayer for one of his most beloved students. May the Lord complete his joy by granting his heart’s desire. Pray for us, Fr Revs," Bishop David said. —KG, GMA Integrated News