Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga

Last updated
Diocese of Balanga

Dioecesis Balangensis

Diyosesis ng Balanga
Diócesis de Balanga
Catholic
Balanga Church, Bataan, Feb 2024 (1).jpg
Balanga Cathedral
Diocese of Balanga coat of arms.svg
Coat of arms
Location
CountryFlag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Territory Bataan
Ecclesiastical province San Fernando
MetropolitanSan Fernando
Headquarters Balanga, Bataan
Coordinates 14°40′45″N120°32′24″E / 14.6792°N 120.5400°E / 14.6792; 120.5400
Statistics
Area1,373 km2 (530 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2022)
853,373
682,698 [1]  (80%)
Parishes38 parishes, 5 diocesan shrines, 1 chaplaincy, 1 minor basilica, 1 quasi-parish, 1 chapel
Schools11
Information
Denomination Catholic
Sui iuris church Latin Church
Rite Roman Rite
EstablishedMarch 17, 1975
Cathedral Cathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph
Patron saint
  • St. Joseph (Patron of the Diocese and City of Balanga)
  • Our Lady of Orani (Patroness of the Province of Bataan and the Bataeño People)
Secular priests 59 (34 diocesan and 25 religious priests)
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Bishop Vacant
Metropolitan Archbishop Florentino G. Lavarias
Apostolic AdministratorFlorentino G. Lavarias
Vicar GeneralJosue V. Enero
Map
Ph fil bataan.png
Website
www.facebook.com/balangadiocese/

The Diocese of Balanga is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, established on March 17, 1975, by Pope Paul VI. The diocese has jurisdiction over the whole province of Bataan, with 38 parishes, 5 diocesan shrines, one minor basilica, chaplaincy, quasi-parish, national shrine and chapel, and 4 vicariates. The Cathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary in Aguire Street, Poblacion, Balanga, serves as the seat of the diocese. It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Fernando, Pampanga. The titular patron of the diocese is Saint Joseph, whose feast day falls on March 19. The city fiesta is celebrated on April 28.

Contents

As of October 2015, Bishop Ruperto Santos is the longest-serving living bishop of Balanga, having served for 13 years, 3 months, and 21 days (4,860 days) as the diocese's fourth bishop from April 1, 2010 (installed or assumed office on July 8, 2010 3 months and 7 days after being appointed to the position) to July 22, 2023.

The diocese became vacant when Santos became bishop of Antipolo covering Rizal province, and the city of Marikina in Metro Manila on July 22, 2023. Pope Francis then appointed Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga Florentino Lavarias as sede vacante apostolic administrator of the diocese while awaiting for the installation of Santos' successor as the diocese's bishop, returning Bataan temporarily to the jurisdiction of Archdiocese of San Fernando after 47 years and 8 months.

Coat of arms of Bishop Ruperto Santos that was displayed on the cathedra of Balanga Cathedral when he was installed or assumed office as fourth Bishop of Balanga on July 8, 2010 three months after being appointed to the position on April 1, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI (died December 31, 2022 and funeral January 5, 2023 6-7 months before Santos stepped down as the diocese's fourth bishop on July 22, 2023), ending the diocese's 8 months and 4 days sede vacante period or without a bishop in office under the diocesan administrator Victor Ocampo and Santos' 4 months and 7 days bishop-elect period, until he became Bishop of Antipolo covering Marikina in Metro Manila and the province of Rizal on the said date of July 2023. 08876jfSan Jose Poblacion Talisay Cathedral Balanga City Hall Bataanfvf 30.JPG
Coat of arms of Bishop Ruperto Santos that was displayed on the cathedra of Balanga Cathedral when he was installed or assumed office as fourth Bishop of Balanga on July 8, 2010 three months after being appointed to the position on April 1, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI (died December 31, 2022 and funeral January 5, 2023 6–7 months before Santos stepped down as the diocese's fourth bishop on July 22, 2023), ending the diocese's 8 months and 4 days sede vacante period or without a bishop in office under the diocesan administrator Victor Ocampo and Santos' 4 months and 7 days bishop-elect period, until he became Bishop of Antipolo covering Marikina in Metro Manila and the province of Rizal on the said date of July 2023.

History

The Diocese of Balanga was established on March 17, 1975, from the territory of Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga, by Pope Paul VI through the papal bull Quoniam Recte Universum. It comprises the entire civil province of Bataan, the smallest among the provinces of Central Luzon. The province is a peninsula jutting out to sea, with Manila Bay to the east, South China Sea to the west, and the province of Zambales to the north. Only 1 of the 15 priests of the diocese was a native of Bataan when Bishop Celso Guevarra was installed as the diocese's first bishop on November 8, 1975, eight months after the diocese was founded.

Before this, the region was divided into two parts: the Corregimiento of Mariveles and the Province of Pampanga. The towns of Mariveles, Bagac, Morong and Maragondon, Cavite, comprised the Corregimiento of Mariveles that was under the jurisdiction of the Recollect Order. The province of Pampanga included the towns of Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Orani, Llana Hermosa and San Juan de Dinalupihan. The latter group was under the charge of the Dominican Order. Limay, the twelfth town of Bataan, was named only in 1917.

The topography of the province has made most of the inhabitants farmers or fishermen, with a sprinkling of merchants, factory workers and professionals. Recent years, however, have seen the development of manufacturing industries in the province, particularly the Free Zone in Mariveles which has brought an influx of workers from other provinces and improved living conditions of its own workers.

Historically, Bataan is most remembered, along with the island of Corregidor, as the main scene of action in the Philippines during the Second World War. These places are strategic in guarding the entrance to Manila Bay. The surrender of Filipino and American soldiers to overwhelming Japanese forces marked the Fall of Bataan in 1942. A war memorial, Dambana ng Kagitingan, now stands to honor the men who fought and died in that last stand.

During the 23-year tenure of Bishop Celso Guevarra, the diocese has continuously spread its branches far and wide. The number of parishes increased from 13 to 25. In each of these parishes, one can find many concerned, committed and generous lay leaders. Together with their parish priests, not only have they renovated and/or totally rebuilt their parish churches and convents but are actively responding to the never-ending demands of evangelization. The major diocesan commissions, which have been established, introduced new and various apostolates in the diocese and in the parishes.

The inspiring words and assuring presence of Honesto Ongtioco, who succeeded Bishop Celso, guided the young diocese as it celebrated its 25th anniversary and as it responded to the call of Pope John Paul II at the beginning of the third millennium, “Duc in Altum.” His kindness and charity allowed the various branches of the diocesan tree to grow in different directions in pursuit of his plan to convoke a Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. However, God has other and better plans both for Bishop Ongtioco and the diocese of Balanga. Bishop Ongtioco has just laid the foundation for the realization of his vision when he was installed to lead the new Diocese of Cubao in Quezon City on August 28, 2003.

During the tenure of Socrates Villegas as the diocese's third bishop in 2004, the annual celebration Mt. Samat Pilgrimage, held on November or December of the year, was started. It has the theme song titled "Bataan: Bayani at Banal" written by Villegas and music by Ryan Cayabyab.

In 2006, the Diocesan Schools of Bataan Educational Foundation, Inc. (DSOBEFI) was established to integrate Catholic schools in Bataan into the Diocese of Balanga.

On December 8, 2008, Clinica Diocesano de San Jose, the diocese's clinic, was founded which is a weekly medical and dental mission for the poor people of Bataan.

The diocese will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025. Its logo was unveiled on a celebration of the diocese's 48th canonical erection anniversary and Dedication of Saint Joseph Cathedral celebrated by its bishop Ruperto Santos and Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga Florentino Lavarias.

Diocesan coat-of-arms

The miter symbolizes the pastoral authority of a bishop which he will be exercising the office of his position, represented by the Balanga Cathedral, within the diocese's jurisdiction which is the entire province of Bataan.

50th Anniversary coat of arms

The coat of arms for the diocese's 50th anniversary also has a miter which symbolizes the bishop's pastoral authority which will be exercising within the province of Bataan and three-stemmed lilies which is the symbol of Saint Joseph.

The three red crosses symbolizes the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit), four small crosses inside a circle symbolizing the four former bishops of the diocese (Bishops Celso Guevarra, Honesto Ongtioco, Socrates Villegas, and Ruperto Santos), seven red and blue lines signifies the 7 sacraments of the Catholic Church, symbols of Dominican and Augustinian orders at the left and right side of the miter indicating that they are the missionaries who went to the province in order to teach the faith, with Dominicans built the churches of Abucay, Samal, Balanga, Orani, Pilar, Hermosa, and Orion, while the Augustinians built the Morong, Bagac, and Mariveles church. The number 50 and the years 1975 and 2025 represents the 50th anniversary of the diocese, with 1975 indicate the diocese's founding and 2025 for its 50th year. At the lower left is the letter "M" symbol (which is also used on the coat of arms of Bishop Ruperto Santos as Bishop of Balanga) symbolizing Virgin Mary serving as the diocese's and province's patroness under the name of Virgen Milagrosa de Orani and showing the devotion of the Bataan people to her. At the right is the map of Bataan from which the diocese has jurisdiction and authority with. At the bottom is a golden banner which has the text "Magtipon (Gather), Maglakbay (Travel), at Maghasik (Sow)" which are the theme for its 50th anniversary. "The daughters of kings, women of honor, are maidens in your courts. And standing beside you, glistening in your pure and golden glory, is the beautiful bride-to-be!" comes from Psalms 45, the word of God which is a guide for the celebration of 50 years of the diocese. [2]

Schools

The Diocese of Balanga has 11 schools as of 2017, with 10 are operated by the diocese's Diocesan Schools of Bataan Educational Foundation, Inc. (DSOBEFI) under its superintendent Fr. Edgardo Sigua and assistant Fr. Alwin B. Bobis since June 2024.

Diocese officials

Bishops of Balanga

No.PictureNamePeriod of TenureCoat of Arms
1 09106jfSan Jose Poblacion Church Balanga City Hall Bataanfvf 05.JPG Celso Nogoy GuevarraNovember 8, 1975 – June 18, 1998
(22 years, 222 days
(8,258 days))		 Coat of Arms of Bishop Celso Guevarra.svg
2 Mount Carmel Shrine feast day - Bishop Honesto Ongtioco presides the Solemn Pontifical Mass (2023-07-16).jpg Honesto Flores Ongtioco June 18, 1998 –
August 28, 2003
(5 years, 71 days
(1,897 days))		 Coat of arms of Honesto Flores Ongtioco, Bishop of Balanga.svg
3 Archbishop Socrates Villegas, O.P.jpg Socrates Buenaventura Villegas May 3, 2004 – November 4, 2009
(5 years, 185 days
(2,011 days))
(installed July 3, 2004)		 Coat of Arms of Socrates Villegas, Bishop of Balanga.svg
4 Ruperto Santos Augustine Baliwag Shrine1.jpg Ruperto Cruz Santos April 1, 2010 –
July 22, 2023
(13 years, 112 days
(4,860 days))
(installed July 8, 2010)		 Coat of Arms of Ruperto Santos, Bishop of Balanga.svg

Sede vacante administrators (period without a bishop in office)

  1. Antonio "Tony" S. Dumaual (died July 21, 2023 and funeral July 31, 2023) — August 28, 2003 (Honesto Flores Ongtioco)–July 3, 2004 (Socrates Buenaventura Villegas) (10 months, 5 days (310 days))
  2. Victor de la Cruz Ocampo (later Bishop of Gumaca, Quezon), died March 16, 2023 and funeral March 27, 2023) — November 4, 2009 (Socrates Buenaventura Villegas)–July 8, 2010 (Ruperto Cruz Santos) (8 months, 4 days (246 days))
  3. Florentino Galang Lavarias (Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga) — Ruperto Cruz Santos (July 22, 2023)–present

Timeline

Florentino LavariasRuperto SantosVictor OcampoMount Samat National ShrineSocrates VillegasHonesto OngtiocoPope FrancisPope Benedict XVIPope John Paul IIPope John Paul IPope Paul VIRoman Catholic Diocese of Balanga

Priests of the diocese who became bishops

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bataan</span> Province in Central Luzon, Philippines

Bataan, officially the Province of Bataan, is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Balanga while Mariveles is the largest town in the province. Occupying the entire Bataan Peninsula on Luzon, Bataan is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north. The peninsula faces the South China Sea to the west and Subic Bay to the north-west, and encloses Manila Bay to the east.

An apostolic administration in the Catholic Church is administrated by a prelate appointed by the pope to serve as the ordinary for a specific area. Either the area is not yet a diocese, or is a diocese, archdiocese, eparchy or similar permanent ordinariate that either has no bishop or archbishop or, in very rare cases, has an incapacitated (arch)bishop. The title also applies to an outgoing (arch)bishop while awaiting for the date of assuming his new position.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paciano Aniceto</span> Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga

Paciano Basilio Aniceto, is a Filipino Roman Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of San Fernando. He was the third prelate to head the Archdiocese, which is located in San Fernando City, Pampanga, Philippines.

Mariveleño is a Sambalic language. It has around 500 speakers and is spoken within an Aeta community in Mariveles in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bataan Peninsula State University</span> Public university in Bataan, Philippines

Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) is one of the state universities in the province of Bataan, Philippines. It is a conglomeration of higher education institutions in Bataan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Fernando</span> Archdiocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines

The Archdiocese of San Fernando is the archdiocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in Pampanga, Philippines which has territorial jurisdiction over the whole province of Pampanga and Angeles City. The archdiocese is also the metropolitan see of the ecclesiastical province of the same name, which also include three dioceses of its surrounding provinces of Bataan, Zambales, and Tarlac. The cathedral church and seat of the archdiocese is the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando (Pampanga). The Virgin Mary, under the title Virgen de los Remedios, is the principal patroness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao</span> Roman Catholic diocese in the Philippines

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cubao is a diocese of the western Latin Church of the Catholic Church in district of Cubao in Quezon City, in northern Metro Manila, Philippines. The diocese was created by Pope John Paul II on June 28, 2003 from the ecclesiastical district of Cubao of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. It was canonically erected on August 28, 2003, with the installation of Honesto Flores Ongtioco as the first Bishop of Cubao. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Immaculate Conception, is the principal patroness of the diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balanga Cathedral</span> Roman Catholic cathedral in Bataan, Philippines

The Cathedral-Shrine of Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary, commonly known as Balanga Cathedral, in Balanga, Bataan, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga which comprises entire of the civil province of Bataan, Philippines. Currently, Noel Niguid and Alwin Bobis serve as the cathedral priests. On March 19, 2015, the cathedral was formally declared a diocesan shrine, changing its status from cathedral-parish to cathedral-shrine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Socrates Villegas</span> Filipino Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

Sócrates "Soc" Buenaventura Villegas O.P. is a Filipino prelate, and a professed member of the Dominican Order. He is the fifth and current Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan in Pangasinan, and is the former president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, from December 1, 2013 to December 1, 2017, when he finished his second and final term as president of the said conference. He was also the vice president of the episcopal conference from 2011 to 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bataan Provincial Board</span> Legislative body of the province of Bataan, Philippines

The Bataan Provincial Board is the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Philippine province of Bataan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orani Church</span> Roman Catholic church in Bataan, Philippines

The Minor Basilica and Shrine Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani, commonly known as Orani Church, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica built in the Neoclassical style located in the center of Orani, Bataan, in the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Balanga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honesto Ongtioco</span> Bishop Emeritus of Cubao

Honesto "Nes" Flores Ongtioco is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the second Bishop of Balanga in Bataan from June 18, 1998 to August 28, 2003 succeeding Celso Guevarra who retired due to the age limit of 75 and first Bishop of Cubao from August 28, 2003 to December 3, 2024. He also served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Malolos from May 12, 2018 to August 21, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florentino Lavarias</span> Filipino Catholic prelate (born 1957)

Florentino "Dong" Galang Lavarias is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic church. He is the fourth and current archbishop of San Fernando. He succeeded Paciano Aniceto as the Archbishop of San Fernando. He is also the sede vacante apostolic administrator of Balanga in Bataan during the transition from Bishop Ruperto Santos to his successor in office as the diocese's bishop since July 22, 2023. Prior to his installation as Archbishop of San Fernando, he previously served as fourth bishop of Iba in Zambales from September 1, 2004 to October 27, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruperto Santos</span> Filipino Catholic prelate (born 1957)

Ruperto "Stude" Cruz Santos is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. Santos is the fifth and current Bishop of Antipolo. He is the president of the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jose Francisco Oliveros</span> Filipino Roman Catholic prelate

Most Rev. Jose Francisco Oliveros, D.D. was a Filipino Roman Catholic prelate, who served as the fourth Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Orani</span> Marian apparition in the Philippines

The Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani, or simply Our Lady of Orani, refers to the image enshrined at the Minor Basilica and Shrine Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani. Her feast day is October 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freeport Area of Bataan</span> Freeport and special economic zone in Central Luzon, Philippines

The Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), formerly known as Mariveles Free Trade Zone from June 21, 1969 to November 20, 1972, and primarily as Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) and Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) from November 20, 1972 to October 23, 2009 and secondarily from October 23, 2009 to June 30, 2010), is a special economic zone in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines. It was envisioned by Congressman Pablo Roman, Sr., a representative from Bataan, who authored Republic Act 5490 designating the said location as the first free trade zone in the Philippines. It is also the second freeport zone in the province since October 23, 2009, after Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone in Hermosa and Morong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Bataan local elections</span> Local elections in the Philippines

Local elections were held in Bataan on May 9, 2022, as part of the 2022 Philippine general election. Voters will select candidates for all local positions: a town mayor, vice mayor, and town councilors, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, a vice-governor, a governor, and representatives for the province's three congressional districts in the Philippine House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Ocampo</span> Filipino bishop (1952–2023)

Victor de la Cruz Ocampo was a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the Bishop of Gumaca from September 3, 2015 until his death on March 16, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariveles Church</span> Roman Catholic church in Bataan, Philippines

The Diocesan Shrine and Parish Church of Saint Nicholas Tolentine, commonly known as Mariveles Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines. The church is dedicated to the Italian saint Nicholas of Tolentino. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Balanga. Since June 5, 2023, Fr. Regin L. Tenorio is the Rector and Parish Priest of the church. The parish church's feast day is September 10 and Catholic population is 36,282.

References

  1. ↑ "Balanga (Catholic Diocese)". gcatholic.org. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  2. ↑ Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga on Facebook

14°40′45″N120°32′24″E / 14.6792°N 120.5400°E / 14.6792; 120.5400

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.