The Archdiocese of Cebu on Friday announced the death of one of its ordained priests, confirming that he died by suicide following a collapse in his mental health.
In an official statement titled “Hope Against Hope: A Death Announced,” Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy said an in-depth investigation into the death of Rev. Fr. Decoroso “Cocoi” Olmilla found that the priest had suffered a severe mental health breakdown that led him to take his own life.
Olmilla, 68, was a resident priest of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
He was discovered inside a condominium in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, on Wednesday morning. He was found unconscious in the unit at around 10:40 a.m., reportedly with a self-inflicted wound to his neck.
The Archdiocese thanked authorities for assisting in the investigation and ensuring a careful examination of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy “in the spirit of truth and justice.”
The faithful were invited to pray for the eternal rest of Olmilla, with the Archdiocese expressing hope that he had “found peace with his Creator.”
An appeal was also issued to the public to respect the privacy of the priest’s family as they grieve.
“We appeal, on behalf of his family members, for everyone to respect their privacy at this time of such tragic loss and so allow them to grieve in dignity and peace,” the statement read.
Archbishop Uy acknowledged the pain the incident may have caused among the faithful and asked for understanding and forgiveness.
“In humility, we can only continue to trust that God’s mercy may remain greater than our human failures,” he said, quoting Scripture: “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:20).”
The Archdiocese also reiterated its firm moral stance on the sanctity of life, emphasizing that “no one has the right to take away what God has alone given.”
“Every life is sacred,” Uy said.