Rt Revd Robert Lee Omengan Longid, Bishop of the Northern Philippines, died five years ago on 20 January 1996. Bishop Longid, who was 60 then, became Suffragan Bishop of the Northern Philippines in the Philippine Episcopal Church in 1983 (diocesan in 1986) after several academic and pastoral appointments.

        During his pastoral term, he held many senior positions in the local Anglican Church and played an important role in ecumenical circles including: Co-ordinator for the Philippine Independent Church and the Episcopal Church Concordat Council from 1980 to 1983; Executive Secretary for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines 1978-1983; on the General Committee of the Christian Conference of Asia from 1990-present; Vice-Chair of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) 1976-1978; Chair of the NCCP Peace Commission 1989-present. He was also President of a number of national organisations including the Rural Bank of Bontoc, the Montanosa Peace Movement, the Ecumenical Institute of Labor Education and Research and the People's Foundation for Organisers. Bishop Longid played a key role in international Anglican affairs. He was the new Chairman of the Anglican Council of the Churches of East Asia, having previously been Vice-Chairman, and Convenor of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network.

       As bishop of the Northern Philippines he has contributed to the peace process which has been slowly developing since the fall of President Marcos. By his charismatic leadership he personally made possible some of the trust building measures in Sagada, the capital of Mountain Province between the Government and the rebel forces. Throughout Philippine society he was committed to the cause of the poor, championing the impoverished fishing community on the edge of Manila and the rag pickers who make their living in the squalor of Smokey Mountain. Over the years he has contributed much to the thinking of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network and hosted a notable meeting at Manila in 1992. (Extract from the Anglican News Service on Bishop Bob's death five years ago.)

       Bishop Longid is now survived by his wife, Cecile, children (Audrey and Bobby, Jr.), grandchildren (Tricia, Dreyan, and Russell), children-in-law (Brian and Marjorie).