by Joel V. Ocampo
On September 2, 2024, Most Rev. Raul José Quimpo Martirez, D.D., Bishop-Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose de Antique, Philippines passed away at the age of 86.
Early Life of Bishop Martirez
Bishop-Emeritus Martirez was born on February 9, 1938. He had part of his formation in the UST Central Seminary, and earned his theology degree from the Faculty of Sacred Theology in 1960. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Capiz on March 18, 1961. Then, he continued his academic formation under the Dominicans by earning a master’s degree in the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas (the Angelicum) in Rome in 1973. In 1978, he became the rector of St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Iloilo City.
On January 5, 1983, he was appointed Bishop of San Jose de Antique, and was consecrated as a bishop on March 24, 1983. After almost two decades of serving the People of God in Antique, Bishop-Emeritus Martirez retired from office on March 16, 2002.
Episcopal Ministry of Bishop Martirez
Bishop Martirez was ordained as bishop in 1983, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Roxas City, Archdiocese of Capiz, through the laying of hands of †Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, the then Apostolic Nuncio to Philippines (from 1973-1990) as the Principal Consecrator; with †Bishop Henricus Cornelius de Wit, M.H.M., and †Archbishop Alberto Jover Piamonte as Principal Co-Consecrators (former Archbishop of Jaro, Philippines).
Based on existing records, Bishop Martirez served in the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in the following positions:
Member, Episcopal Commission on the Laity (1991-1993);
Member, Episcopal Commission on Seminaries (1991-1993); and
Member, Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate (1996-1997).
Let us pray.
O God, who chose your servant, Raul José Q. Martirez from among your Priests, and endowed him with pontifical dignity in the apostolic priesthood, grant, we pray, that he may also be admitted to their company for ever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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