MANILA, Nov. 6, 2013— The funeral of activist priest Father Jose “Joe” Dizon who passed away this week is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 11 in Imus, Cavite.
The funeral Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral to be presided by Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista.
The remains of Dizon currently lie in state at the San Roque Cathedral in his hometown of Caloocan.
On Thursday afternoon, Nov. 7, the remains will be brought to the Workers’ Assistance Center, Inc., a workers’ organization that Dizon founded in 1995, in Rosario, Cavite for an overnight vigil.
From Rosario town, the priest’s remains will be moved to the Casas Hall, located at the Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral compound, in Imus where activities and requiem Masses are scheduled.
On Saturday, an ecumenical service will be held at 3:00 p.m.
After Monday’s funeral services, the burial will follow at the diocese’s clergy burial site beside the cathedral.
Dizon, 65, died last Monday due to complications from diabetes at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City.
The priest just celebrated his 40years in the priesthood last October 15 and adopted the words of Pope Francis as his theme: “How I would like a Church of the poor, for the poor.”
“Indeed, we can say that in your 40 years as priest, you, Fr. Joe, have shown us how to live as a priest of the poor,” said San Carlos Bishop-elect Gerardo Alminaza, chairperson of the Church-people Workers Solidarity.
Dizon was the lead animator of Solidarity Philippines, a movement to proactively advance the social teachings of the Church. He was a convenor of the National Clergy Discernment Group and a leader of the election watchdog Kontra Daya.
In his last days, he actively joined the campaign to abolish the controversial pork barrel system.
In probably his last press statement last October, Dizon said President Benigno Aquino III should be held accountable for the pork barrel mess because he has the last say to approve or suspend its release.
“We are holding President Aquino ultimately accountable for the entire pork fund mess,” he said. “It is within his power to push for changes in the system yet he stubbornly refused to do so, and instead promote the system of pork.” (CBCPNews)
