Bishop Toquero
The Council of Bishops regrets to announce the death of Bishop Solito K. Toquero, a retired Bishop of The United Methodist Church who served from 2001-2008.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest Tatay, Bishop Solito K. Toquero. Tatay died while asleep in a car yesterday, December 1, from an event of the United Methodist Church he attended in Wesleyan University,” the Manila Episcopal Area said, quoting Ria Toquero, his daughter.
Bishop Toquero was born on May 31, 1942, in a small barrio in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He graduated from Wesleyan University-Philippines with an A.B. degree and earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary-Philippines (UTS), magna cum laude. He earned his D. Min. degree from Christian Theological Seminary.
He entered the ministry as a pioneer among Ilocano settlers in a virgin forest in Aurora, Philippines. He served there for four years while taking his AB degree from Wesleyan University. He was then assigned to several local churches in central and southern Luzon while finishing his degree from UTS.
Upon his return from the United States, where he finished his D.Min. degree, he became the field person for the Theological Education for Extension Program in UTS, supervising seminars and lectures all over the country. He also served as Field Education Director for two years at UTS, then returned to the local church as administrative pastor in Bulacan and Manila. He was sent as a missionary to Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. of China and ministered to more than a thousand overseas Filipino workers for more than four years.
Solito was elected to the episcopacy in 2001, assigned to the Manila Episcopal Area, and was re-elected in 2004. He served the Connectional Table as the President of the Commission on Archives and History. He retired from the active episcopacy in 2008.
His wake will be held at the Salakot Chapel, Union Theological Seminary in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Details will be shared later.
The Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga serves as communications director for the Council of Bishops.