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‘IT IS NOT A WEAKNESS AND IT IS NOT A LACK OF FAITH'

Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy reminded the faithful that “depression is real” and can affect anyone, including members of the clergy, during a heartfelt homily in the funeral Mass of Fr. Decoroso “Cocoi” Olmilla at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Tuesday.

“Today, we are reminded that priests are also human. Sometimes we forget this. We expect priests to be strong, steady, joyful, and available at all times. But the priests carry the same human frailty as everyone. Like all of us, priests can cry in silence, struggle with anxieties, and carry burdens they often cannot speak about… We entrust Fr. Cocoi to that mercy, not because we understand everything, but because we believe in a God who understands Him completely,” he said.

The archbishop also urged the public to address mental health issues seriously, calling the incident a “wake-up call” to care for one another, listen more attentively, and recognize the hidden struggles many carry behind a smile.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu confirmed Fr. Cocoi’s passing on November 12, 2025, and appealed for privacy for his family while urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information. (Facebook/The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu)

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