This article needs additional citations for verification .(February 2022) |
Diocese of Balanga Dioecesis Balangensis Diyosesis ng Balanga Diócesis de Balanga | |
---|---|
Catholic | |
Location | |
Country | Philippines |
Territory | Bataan |
Ecclesiastical province | San Fernando |
Metropolitan | San Fernando |
Headquarters | Balanga, Bataan |
Coordinates | 14°40′45″N120°32′24″E / 14.6792°N 120.5400°E |
Statistics | |
Area | 1,373 km2 (530 sq mi) |
Population - Total - Catholics | (as of 2021) 853,373 682,698 [1] (80%) |
Parishes | 38 parishes, 5 diocesan shrines, 1 chaplaincy, 1 minor basilica, 1 quasi-parish, 1 chapel |
Schools | 11 |
Information | |
Denomination | Catholic |
Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
Rite | Roman Rite |
Established | March 17, 1975 |
Cathedral | Cathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph |
Patron saint |
|
Secular priests | 58 (33 diocesan and 25 religious priests) |
Current leadership | |
Pope | Francis |
Bishop | Vacant |
Metropolitan Archbishop | Florentino G. Lavarias |
Apostolic Administrator | Florentino G. Lavarias |
Vicar General | Josue V. Enero |
Map | |
Website | |
Diocese of Balanga |
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. It has 11 schools as of 2017, with 10 are operated by the diocese's Diocesan Schools of Bataan (DSOB) under its superintendent Fr. Roy Guila. 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 of Balanga is Saint Joseph, whose feast day falls on March 19. The city fiesta is celebrated on April 28.
The diocese became vacant when Bishop Ruperto Santos, who served as fourth bishop of Balanga for 13 years, 3 months, and 21 days from April 1, 2010, as bishop-elect from April to July 8, 2010, and installed bishop of Balanga from July 2010 to July 22, 2023, where he succeeded Socrates Villegas as the diocese's bishop, became bishop of Antipolo on July 2023 covering the province of Rizal and the city of Marikina in Metro Manila. Pope Francis then appointed Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga Florentino Lavarias as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese while awaiting for the installation of Santos' successor as bishop of Balanga.
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 upon the diocese's founding in 1975.
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.
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.
When Bishop Ruperto Santos became Bishop of Antipolo on July 22, 2023, which ended his 13 years, 3 months, and 21 days tenure as the diocese's fourth bishop, Bataan was temporarily returned to the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of San Fernando after 48 years and 8 months through the apostolic administration of its archbishop Florentino Lavarias which will last until the installation of Santos' successor as Bishop of Balanga.
The miter symbolizes the pastoral authority of a bishop, which he will be exercising within the diocese's jurisdiction which is the entire province of Bataan.
The three long-stemmed lilies, symbols of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of the cathedral. According to Myth the staves of the many suitors of the Blessed Virgin Mary were gathered in the temple; the staff of Joseph bloomed to signify that he was the one chosen by God to be the head of the Holy Family. Blue signifies peace, justice and tranquility. Joseph was called "just" by the Gospel. He was a placid and silent man, too. [2]
The three youths reading books. Bataan, the civil province co-terminus with the Diocese, means the Land of the Youth, the hope of the Fatherland. The books being read by each are respectively marked VIA, meaning Christ The Way; VERITAS, meaning Christ The Truth; and VITA, meaning Christ The Life. Overhead is the golden sun with the letters IHS, meaning Jesus. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "I am the Light of the world" (John 8:12; 9:5). He is the "real light that comes into the world and shines on all men" (John 1:9). He is the Lamb, the lamp of the Celestial Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23), the Sun of Justice (Malachi 4:2). He also said, "I am The Way, I am The Truth, I am The Life" (John 14:6). So in the light of Christ that is explained by the church, we must study and follow and live Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. This study entails seriousness, this following of Christ means patience, this living of Christ requires perseverance—virtues signified by the red color. [3]
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. [4]
Image | Name | Appointed | Positions while serving as bishop-elect and before being installed as Bishop of Balanga | Installed | Period in Position (Bishop-elect and Installed Bishop of Balanga) | Length | Coat of arms |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Celso Nogoy Guevarra | June 4, 1975 | Titular Bishop of Vannida | November 8, 1975 | June 4, 1975 – June 18, 1998 | 23 years, 14 days (8415 days) | ||
Honesto Flores Ongtioco | April 8, 1998 | Priest of Archdiocese of San Fernando | June 18, 1998 | April 8, 1998 – August 28, 2003 | 5 years, 4 months, 20 days (1968 days) | ||
Socrates Buenaventura Villegas | May 3, 2004 | Auxiliary Bishop of Manila Rector of EDSA Shrine | July 3, 2004 | May 3, 2004 – November 4, 2009 | 5 years, 6 months, 1 day (2011 days) | ||
Ruperto Cruz Santos | April 1, 2010 | Priest of Archdiocese of Manila Rector of Pontificio Collegio Filippino | July 8, 2010 | April 1, 2010 – July 22, 2023 | 13 years, 3 months, 21 days (4860 days) | ||
Name | Preceding Installed Bishop | Succeeding Installed Bishop | Length | Age at start and end of tenure or term as sede vacante administrator |
---|---|---|---|---|
Antonio "Tony" S. Dumaual — died July 21, 2023 | Honesto Flores Ongtioco (August 28, 2003) | Socrates Buenaventura Villegas (July 3, 2004) | 10 months, 5 days (310 days) | 61 years, 6 months, 23 days / 62 years, 4 months, 28 days |
Victor de la Cruz Ocampo (later Bishop of Gumaca, Quezon) — died March 16, 2023 | Socrates Buenaventura Villegas (November 4, 2009) | Ruperto Cruz Santos (July 8, 2010) | 8 months, 4 days (246 days) | 57 years, 7 months, 19 days / 58 years, 3 months, 22 days |
Florentino Galang Lavarias (Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga) | Ruperto Cruz Santos (July 22, 2023) | TBA | 66 years, 4 months, 8 days / | |
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 Archdiocese of Manila is the archdiocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in Metro Manila, Philippines, encompassing the cities of Manila, Makati, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasay, and Taguig. Its cathedral is the Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Manila Cathedral, located in Intramuros, which comprises the old city of Manila. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Immaculate Conception, is the principal patroness of the archdiocese.
Mariveles, officially the Municipality of Mariveles, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 149,879 people.
Bagac, officially the Municipality of Bagac, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 31,365 people.
Mariveleño is a Sambalic language. It has around 500 speakers and is spoken within an Aeta community in Mariveles in the 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.
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.
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.
The Cathedral-Shrine Parish of Saint Joseph, 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.
Sócrates "Soc" Buenaventura Villegas O.P. is a Filipino prelate, and a professed member of the Dominican Order, He is the 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.
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.
Honesto "Nes" Flores Ongtioco is a Filipino bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first and only Bishop of Cubao, and also served as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Malolos from May 12, 2018 to August 21, 2019.
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 apostolic administrator of Balanga in Bataan since July 22, 2023. Prior to his installation as Archbishop of San Fernando, he previously served as fourth bishop of Iba from September 1, 2004 to October 27, 2014.
Ruperto "Stude" Cruz Santos is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. Santos is the fifth and current Bishop of Antipolo. He is president of the Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Travelers (Ecmi) in Philippines.
The Our Lady of the Rosary of Orani, or simply Our Lady of Orani, refers to the reputed Marian apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in both the towns of Orani and Samal in Bataan, as well as the image associated with the event.
The Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), formerly Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) and Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) from June 21, 1969 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 June 30, 2010, after Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone in Hermosa and Morong.
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.
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.
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. The Augustinian Recollects missionaries constructed the first church in 1729. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga. Since June 5, 2023, Fr. Regin L. Tenorio is the Rector and Parish Priest of the church.