The Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Sorsogon mourns the passing of Bishop Emeritus Arturo Mandin Bastes SVD, Doctor of Divinity October 20, World Mission Sunday, age 80.
Bishop Bastes is a member of the Society of the Divine Word ordained a priest at 26 by Pope Paul VI on November 28, 1970 at the Rizal Park.
On July 3, 1997 Pope John Paul II appointed him as Bishop of Romblon and his Episcopal Ordination was August 21, 1997 in Cebu City by Ricardo Jamin Cardinal Vidal.
He was appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of Sorsogon on July 25, 2002 and succeeded as Bishop on April 16, 2003 at age 53.
He was a priest for more than 53 years and as bishop spanning 27 years. He hails from Loboc Bohol.
His Coat of Arms “GRESSUS MEOS DERIGIT” meaning “God Direct my Steps.”
He retired as Bishop of Sorsogon October 15, 2019.