Family seeks release of remains of late Bishop Francisco Claver

He may have been buried in Quezon City last week, but relatives seek to have remains of the late Bishop Francisco Claver released to them so they can bury him in his native Mountain Province. The bishop's family is ready to "wait patiently" for the release of the remains, so they can be buried in the family plot, Claver's brother Louis Jr. said. Louis cited Igorot lore which said that those who die will not be at rest unless they are buried near their birthplace, the Union of Catholic Asian News reported. Bishop Claver died July 1 at age 81. He was buried last week at the Jesuit cemetery at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon City. His parents and a number of his deceased siblings are in the family burial plot at Bontoc, Mountain Province. However, Fr. Jose Magadia, Jesuit father provincial for the Philippines, told Claver's brother the bishop's remains could be returned to the family after five years. “Father Magadia also gave me a copy of the letter that the bishop wrote, requesting to be buried among his fellow Jesuits," said Louis Claver. He said he would show the letter to those family members “who are pushing to have the body brought here." - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV