MOST REV. FRANCISCO F. CLAVER, S. J., Emeritus Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe and former Bishop of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, died of a pulmonary embolism early in the morning of 1 July 2010 in Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan, M.M. 

Bishop Cisco, 81, was born in Bontoc and received early education in Benguet, Kalinga and St. Francis Xavier Seminary in Baguio City.  He entered the Society of Jesus on 30 May 1948, receiving initial Jesuit formation in Novaliches and Cebu. After Regency in Davao he was sent for theology to Woodstock College in Maryland, where he was ordained a priest on 18 June 1961. Special studies in Anthropology began when he returned: a year at Ateneo de Manila, and then two years doing research in mission parishes of Bukidnon. During that time he established a new mission, the first among the Manobos. He moved to doctoral work at the University of Colorado in 1967. 

He had just completed course work and comprehensive exams when he got word that he had been named the first Prelate of Malaybalay. Consecrated in Baguio City on 22 August 1969, Bishop Claver served Bukidnon from 1969-1984, completing too his degree in 1972. As bishop, he strongly supported basic ecclesial communities and was an outspoken, clear-minded opponent of the evils of martial law, a stance that won him much respect both here and abroad.  

From 1984-1991 he was at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, writing and lecturing. In 1991 he moved to San Jose Seminary where for a while he was District Bishop of  North Quezon City, offered spiritual direction and, from 1994-1995, was Gassion Chair Professor at Boston College. From 1995-2004 he served as Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe. Health problems brought him back to San Jose in 2006. He continued to write, and recently authored The Making of a Local Church.  Bishop Claver suffered a stroke some months ago and after some time in Cardinal Santos Medical Center, returned to the infirmary at Loyola House of Studies, where he seemed to be making progress towards recovery. Early yesterday, breathing problems and low blood pressure forced his return to the hospital for the last time. Requiescat in Pace.

Wake: Initially in the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Loyola Heights, Q.C. Wake Masses on Thursday, Friday and next Tuesday at 8 p.m. On Saturday, 3 July the body will be brought to Bontoc to be waked there. It will return to the Oratory of St. Ignatius on Tuesday afternoon.

Funeral Mass: Wednesday, 7 July at 2:30 p.m. in the Oratory of St. Ignatius, LHS.    

Interment: Sacred Heart Novitiate Cemetery, Novaliches, Q.C., immediately after the funeral Mass.

  Socius