“Healing Priest” Father Fernando Suarez died of a heart attack on Tuesday, February 4.
Suarez lost consciousness while playing tennis at Ayala Alabang Clubhouse yesterday morning.
He was rushed to the hospital but later died due to a heart attack.
The “healing priest” passed away three days before his 53rd birthday.
His spokesman Deedee Siytangco confirmed the passing of Fr. Suarez.
Also read: Only Jesus can do miracles: ‘healing priest’ banned in Malaybalay diocese
Life of Healing Priest Fernando Suarez
Father Fernando Suarez (Born in the Province of Batangas, Philippines; February 7, 1967 – Died on February 4, 2020) was a Filipino Catholic priest who performed faith healing in the Philippines and abroad.
He grew up in the Philippines and spent much of his life working in the Philippines. In 1995 he left with a Chemical Engineering degree traveling to Winnipeg, Canada, to pursue his calling to become a Roman Catholic Priest. In 1997 he joined the Companions of the Cross religious community of priests and seminarians in Ottawa, Canada. Fr. Fernando was ordained to the priesthood in 2002.
Since his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Fernando has found that the gift of healing became more pronounced in him. In July 2003, he was assigned to begin a ministry of healing. He established Mother Mary of the Poor Healing Ministry with the mission and intent “to seek holiness in evangelizing and working with the poor through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
Controversies
Suarez announced his return to and resumption of his alleged healing in the Philippines in May 2008 after being banned by the Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz in February of the same year.
On January 26, 2008, two died, and seven were rushed (due to exhaustion) to James Gordon Hospital, Olongapo City, while waiting for Suarez’s healing Mass. Juanito Eleazar, 69, died of a heart attack amid more than 15,000 worshippers having lined up. During the same year, Suarez was banned by Jose Oliveros from the diocese.
Just last week, Suarez requested the bishops to lift their ban imposed to him in 2019, citing the Vatican’s findings that he was “not guilty” of sexually abusing minors.