Vatican opens sainthood cause for Filipino bishop

MANILA, Philippines — The Vatican has granted the request of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan to open the cause for beatification and canonization of its first bishop, Cesar Maria Guerrero.

On its social media page, the archdiocese said the Vatican’s announcement came at a time when the archdiocese is looking forward to the celebration of Lingayen’s centennial jubilee in 2028.

According to the archdiocese, Guerrero “exhibited a desire for the religious vocation” even at a young age. He was born to Leon Maria Guerrero and Aurora Dominguez in Ermita, Manila on Jan. 26, 1885.

Guerrero finished law at the University of Santo Tomas before pursuing his dream of becoming a priest. He studied at the Gregorian University in Rome and lived at the Latin American College. 

On Feb. 22, 1929, he was appointed as the first bishop of Lingayen, where he planned to establish the Mary, Help of Christians seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Guerrero was also appointed as auxiliary bishop of Manila, where he organized the Catholic Action of the Philippines.

After World War II, he was accused of collaborating with the Japanese and was charged before the People’s Court for treason after the war. The case was summarily dismissed in 1946.

He died of a heart attack on March 27, 1961.