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Fr. Ramon Bernabe, provincial superior of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Philippines, said a mass was held at 6:30 a.m. today followed by a "parade through the community's walkways on stilts, floral offering and candle-lighting at the spot where his body was found, then blessing of the clinic of the public school which he initiated."
Bernabe accompanied Bishop Angelito Lampon, also an Oblate, to Fr. Roda's last assignment.
Father Roda was killed evening of January 15 in Tabawan, Tawi-tawi while resisting being taken away by armed men.
The missionary lived among an estimated 20,000 predominantly Muslim residents, only about 30 of whom were Catholics.
Father Bernabe said a medical mission would be held throughout the day. In the evening, there will be a program at the Notre Dame of Tabawan.
The Cotabato City-based Mindanao Cross reported that Bishop Lampon and Father Bernabe will grace the inauguration of the repaired health center of the public elementary school in Tabawan, Tawi-Tawi.
The health center is adjacent to the seven classrooms of the school whose repair Fr. Roda initiated. The repair was a community project, involving not only the donors but also the parents and students themselves. (MindaNews)