Fr. Luciano Felloni, Caloocan priest and advocate for drug rehabilitation, passes away

Fr. Luciano Felloni, an Argentinian priest who served the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Caloocan City passed away on Sunday, 2 February.

He was 51.

The news about Felloni’s passing was announced on "Almusalita," the priest’s social media page where he shared daily reflections and bible readings.

“With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Fr. Luciano Felloni today. We are deeply moved by the outpouring of prayers and support during this time of sorrow. Your love and compassion have been a source of strength and comfort to us all,” the social media statement reads.

Last 17 January, Felloni shared his journey with his treatment for skin cancer, which he described as a “real rollercoaster.”

“Cancer treatment is a real rollercoaster. One day you are super ok and the next you are down with fever. So difficult to plan.”

In the said post, Felloni also expressed his thankfulness to his parishioners and the priests in the vicariate for their understanding regarding the canceled plans and activities.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Camarin, North Caloocan, where Felloni served as a priest during the height of the Duterte administration's War on Drugs, described him as a man of “unwavering faith and boundless generosity,” whose dedication significantly improved the lives of many.

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David expressed his sadness over Felloni’s passing, who was known for spearheading rehabilitation efforts for drug addicts.

“It was our common experience with EJK during the infamous drug war of the previous government that we found ourselves communicating with each other more often, especially in regard to our common concerns about caring for the widows and orphans of EJK victims,” David said, who was also a staunch critic of the killing sprees of the former President Rodrigo Duterte

Felloni first arrived in the Philippines in 2000, where he served a church in Payatas, Quezon City, before being transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Caloocan City where he led a drug rehabilitation campaign during the height of the anti-drug campaign of the former administration.