The parish priests of the Diocese of Cebu (1880s) Part 1

The Diocese of Cebu in the 1700s had jurisdiction over all the islands and provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao, even reaching to the Marianas Islands.

The parishes were administered by missionaries coming from the orders of the Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Recollects, and the secular clergy.

The list is taken from the book of Fr. Felipe Redondo in 1886:

Fr. Bernardo Tapiol, Franciscan, of the Parish of Abuyog, Leyte.

Fr. Francisco Castillo, Recollect, of Agana, Marianas.

Fr. Jose Lamban, Recollect, Agat, Marianas.

Fr. Jose del Olmo, Franciscan, Alang-alang, Leyte.

Agusan, Surigao in Surigao including Agusan of Cagayan, Misamis are visitas of Alang-alang.

Leoncio Faelnar, Secular Clergy, Albuera, Leyte.

Albuera was created by virtue of a Diocesan decree under the Patronage of St. James the Elder on June 19, 1868 approved on September 1, 1867 separating from its Mother Parish of Ormoc.

Fr. Manuel Muro, Recollect, Alburquerque, Bohol.

Nazario Villafane, Secular Clergy, Alegria, Cebu.

Alegria was established as a parish on March 4, 1857 through superior approval of July 3, 1856. It is under the patronage of St. Francis Javier. Its mother parish is Malabuyoc.

The Alegria Parish covers Alcantara, Alcoy, and Boljoon.

Ramon Pamies, Jesuit, Alubijid, Misamis. Covers Almeria, Naval (now part of Biliran), Aloguinsan, Pinamungajan, Cebu.

Fr. Julian Cisneros, Recollect, Anda, Bohol. Also covers Anauaon, Surigao.

Anda was erected as a parish on March 19, 1885 under the patronage of the Holy Infant, through royal approval on January 6, 1886. It separated from its mother parish, Guindulman.

Fr. Demetrio Navascuez, Recollect, Antequera, Bohol.

Antequera was established as a parish on August 13, 1880 through superior approval. It is under the patronage of Our Lady of the Rosary. It separated from its mother parish, Maribojoc.

Fr. Fernando Sanchez, Augustinian, Argao, Cebu. Lawyer/historian Gervasio Lavilles, in his book “Cebu: History of its Four Cities and Forty Nine Municipalities” mentions in the entry on the town of San Fernando that it was renamed in honor of its venerable parish priest, Fernando Sanchez.

Jose Lofranco, Secular Clergy, Asturias, Cebu.

Asturias was erected as a parish on May 9, 1885 under the patronage of San Roque. It used be an annex of Balamban.

Julian Evangelista, Secular Clergy, Batbangon, Leyte.

Batbangon was erected as a parish on August 11, 1851 under the patronage of St. Vincent Ferrer. Its mother parish is Barugo.

Fr. Jose Ma. Cabase, Recollect, Baclayon, Bohol.

Baclayan was created in 1717 under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Juan Loreto, Secular Clergy, Badian, Cebu. (To be continued)