Fr. Pops' memorial service set October 25; thousands expected to join

The remains of slain Italian missionary Father Fausto "Father Pops" Tentorio will be brought to Kidapawan City on October 24 for his funeral which is set the following day, Tuesday, October 25.

Father Tentorio, who had reportedly received death threats, was shot dead outside the convent of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Arakan town, North Cotabato Monday morning.

According to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, thousands are expected to pay their last respect to Fr. Tentorio during the funeral Mass service to be held at the Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Graces Cathedral.

Joining the mourners will be Fr. Tentorio's family who will travel from Leco in Northern Italy to Kidapawan City Thursday, October 20.

Kidapawan Bishop Romulo Dela Cruz also said funeral vigils will be held at the Arakan's Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church, where the slain missionary briefly served as parish priest.

"This is to give time to those who live far away to travel to the church and pay their respects to the deceased priest," said Bishop Dela Cruz.

A funeral service will also follow with a procession to a cemetery in the city's Balindog village where Fr. Tentorio's remains will be laid to rest near the grave of his confrere, Fr. Tullio Favali.

According to the CBCP, "Father Pops" as he was popularly known, was the third member of Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions priest murdered in the country. The second one was Fr.

Salvador Carzedda who was killed in Zamboanga City on March 20, 1992.

Fr. Tentorio's confrere, Favali, also a member of PIME was gunned down by paramilitary group on April 15, 1985.

Meanwhile, President Benigno S. Aquino III assured that people responsible for the murder of Fr. Tentorio will pay for their crime.

"They will pay for their crime, regardless of who they are," President Aquino said. (PIA)