Retired Cebu prelate contracts COVID-19

BY LESLIE AQUINO

Retired Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Antonio Ranola has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Archdiocese of Cebu said his health condition is stable.

The 88-year-old bishop was admitted to a hospital last Friday due to “severe coughing.”

“His vital signs are stable and is also under close medical supervision by his doctors,” said CBCP News, quoting an archdiocese statement released the next day.

The archdiocese said one of its priests, Fr. Russel Sungcad, was also hospitalized for COVID-19. Sungcad is currently assigned at the Alliance of Two Hearts Parish in the city’s Banawa district.

Ranola is the second Cebu prelate to have contracted COVID-19.

The archdiocese last Friday announced that Archbishop Jose Palma tested positive for COVID-19.

The archdiocese said Palma’s condition remains stable and is under “close medical monitoring by his doctors.”

“Let us continue to pray for the recovery of our bishops and brother priest,” it said.