The Catholic Church's ecclesiastical provinces in Vis-Min

As an extension of yesterday's celebration of Cebu's Archbishop Jose S. Palma's 73rd birthday, and in anticipation of the coming Holy Week, we opt to remind the 88 million Filipino faithful that the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church in the Philippines is divided into 16 ecclesiastical provinces hereunder arranged alphabetically. Each of these provinces are somehow autonomous but are under a united leadership of the officers of the CBCP or the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. It is currently headed by Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Caloocan. For lack of space, we shall start with the provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, headed by Archbishop Jose Cabantan covers the whole of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin. Comprising it are the Diocese of Butuan covering the two Agusan provinces and led by Bishop Cosme Almedilla, the Diocese of Malaybalay covering the province of Bukidnon and led by Bishop Noel Pedregosa, the Diocese of Surigao covering Surigao Norte and Dinagat Islands led by Bishop Antonieto Cabajog, and the Diocese of Tandag led by Bishop Raul Dael covering Surigao Sur. The Archdiocese of Capiz is vacant and it covers the dioceses of Kalibo led by Bishop Jose C. Talaoc, and Romblon led by Bishop Narciso V. Abellana. The Archdiocese of Cebu covers Cebu, two dioceses of Bohol, the Diocese of Maasin and the Diocese of Dumaguete covering Negros Oriental and Siquijor. These were covered in our last two columns.

The Archdiocese of Cotabato headed by Archbishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, covers Cotabato, and parts of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. It also covers the Diocese of Kidapawan led by Bishop Jose Bagaforo, the diocese of Marbel led by Bishop Cirilo Casicas covering South Cotabato and parts of Sultan Kudarat. The archdiocese of Davao headed by Archbishop Romulo Valles covers Davao City and Samal and parts of Davao Norte. Davao also comprises the Diocese of Digos led by Bishop Guillermo Afable covering Davao Sur and Occidental, the Diocese of Mati led by Bishop Abel Apigo covering Davao Oriental, and the Diocese of Tagum led by Bishop Medil Aseo covering Davao Norte except Samal.

The Archdiocese of Jaro is headed by Archbishop Jose R. Lazo, covering the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras, and supervises the Diocese of Bacolod led by Bishop Patricio Buzon covering the northern Negros Occidental, the Diocese of Kabankalan led by Bishop Louie Galbines covering southern Negros Occidental, the Diocese of San Carlos led by Bishop Gerado A. Alminza covering northwestern Negros Occidental and some northern towns and cities of Negros Oriental, the Diocese of San Jose covering Antique led by Bishop Marvyn Maceda. The Archdiocese of Ozamiz headed by Archbishop Martin Jumoad covers the whole of Misamis Occidental and comprises the Diocese of Dipolog led by Bishop Severo Caernare covering Zamboanga Norte, the Diocese of Iligan led by Bishop Jose Rapadas III covering most of Lanao Norte, the Diocese of Pagadian led by Bishop Ronald Lunas covering most of the northern parts of Zamboanga Sur, and the Prelature of Marawi headed by Bishop Edwin dela Pena, MSP.

The Archdiocese of Jaro, Leyte is headed by Most Reverend John F. Du and covers almost the whole of Leyte. It also comprises the Diocese of Borongan led by Bishop Crispin B. Vasquez covering Eastern Samar, the Diocese of Calbayog led by Bishop Isabelo C. Abarquez covering Western Samar, the Diocese of Catarman led by Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance, the Diocese of Naval led by Bishop Rex C. Ramirez. The Archdiocese of Zamboanga which is vacant and temporarily headed by Auxiliary Bishop Moises M Cuevas covers Zamboanga City and also comprises the Diocese of Ipil led by Most Reverend Julius S. Tonel, DD, covering Zamboanga Sibugay, the Prelature of Basilan led by Bishop Leo M. Dalmao, CMF. The Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo covering Sulu and Tawi-Tawi does not belong to any archdiocese.

Tomorrow, as the last of these four columns dedicated to the celebration of the 73rd birthday of Archbishop Jose S. Palma, we shall continue with the Luzon ecclesiastical provinces. It is important that immediately before the Holy Week, we will remind ourselves of the vast structures of which we are parts. One body, holy, apostolic, and Catholic.