Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga
Encyclopedia
The Archdiocese of Zamboanga (Latin name: Archdiocesis Zamboangensis) is a Catholic archdiocese in the Philippines. Its present jurisdiction includes Zamboanga City, with suffragans in Basilan (Territorial Prelature of Isabela
, Basilan), Sulu Archipelago (Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo) and Zamboanga Sibugay (Diocese of Ipil). It became Mindanao's first diocese in 1910, and was established as the second archdiocese of Mindanao in 1958. Today the archdiocese covers a land area of 1,648 square kilometers and has a population of 442,345, of which 81 per cent are Catholics. The archdiocese includes 26 parishes, served by 49 diocesan and 18 religious priests. There are also 51 religious sisters working in the archdiocese.
The present Archbishop is Romulo Valles
.
was under the Diocese of Cebu and Jaro
. On April 10, 1910, Pope Pius X created the Diocese of Zamboanga and gave it jurisdiction over the whole island of Mindanao, including the adjacent islands of the Sulu Archipelago and the island of Cagayan de Sulu.
The Catholic faith was brought to Zamboanga
by Jesuit missionaries Melchor de Vera and Alejandro Lopez in 1635. The efforts of the Spanish authorities to subdue the Muslims resulted in reprisal raids in Zamboanga and the Visayan Islands. In 1636 Fort Pilar
, in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar, was constructed by priest-engineer Fr. de Vera. Jesuit Frs. Francisco Paliola and Alejandro Lopez died as martyrs in their efforts to win the Muslims through diplomacy. The establishment of Fort Pilar gave birth of the future city of Zamboanga.
On January 20, 1933, Pope Pius XI
divided Mindanao into two areas. Southern Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago became under the jurisdiction of Zamboanga. Northern Mindanao became under the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. In 1951 Cagayan de Oro became an archdiocese, the first in the island of Mindanao. All episcopal jurisdictions in Mindanao and Sulu, including Zamboanga, became suffragans of this archdiocese.
The Diocese of Zamboanga was further divided when the Prelature Nullius of Davao
was established and separated in 1949; the Prelature of Cotabato in 1950; the Prelature of Isabela, Basilan, in 1963, and the Prelature of Ipil in 1979.
Zamboanga was established an archdiocese on May 15, 1958 by Pope Pius XII
. As an ecclesiastical province, the Archdiocese of Zamboanga included Zamboanga City and had as suffragans the Prelature of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay, the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan and the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo. Its titular patroneses is Our Lady of the Pillar, and its secondary patron is St. Pius X.
The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines adopted the Community of Disciples as the prime model of the Church, with focus on being a Church of the Poor. The challenge for the archdiocese in Zamboanga is to incarnate the vision of PCP II.
An Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly was held early in 1995, formalizing preparations for the Second Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly of Zamboanga in 1996.
Among the Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga are 2 colleges, 6 secondary schools, 6 elementary schools, and 8 kindergarten schools. Charitable and social institutions include a leprosarium, 5 free clinics, 1 orphanage and 1 child center.
In 2010 the Zamboanga archdiocese celebrated the 100th anniversary of its establishment as the first diocese in Mindanao with a commemorative mass on April 12, 2010. The 50th or golden anniversary of its establishment as an archdiocese (1958-2008) was part of this celebration.
Territorial Prelature of Isabela
The Territorial Prelature of Isabela is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Isabela City in the Ecclesiastical province of Zamboanga in the Philippines.-History:...
, Basilan), Sulu Archipelago (Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo) and Zamboanga Sibugay (Diocese of Ipil). It became Mindanao's first diocese in 1910, and was established as the second archdiocese of Mindanao in 1958. Today the archdiocese covers a land area of 1,648 square kilometers and has a population of 442,345, of which 81 per cent are Catholics. The archdiocese includes 26 parishes, served by 49 diocesan and 18 religious priests. There are also 51 religious sisters working in the archdiocese.
The present Archbishop is Romulo Valles
Romulo Valles
The Most Reverend Romulo Geolina Valles, D.D. is the current Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Zamboanga in the City of Zamboanga, on the island of Mindanao, Philippines.-Biography:...
.
History
From 1607 to 1910 the entire island of MindanaoMindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
was under the Diocese of Cebu and Jaro
Archdiocese of Jaro
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. The cathedral for the archdiocese, the Parish of Our Lady of Candles, also known as the Jaro Cathedral is in Jaro a district of Iloilo City, Iloilo on the island of...
. On April 10, 1910, Pope Pius X created the Diocese of Zamboanga and gave it jurisdiction over the whole island of Mindanao, including the adjacent islands of the Sulu Archipelago and the island of Cagayan de Sulu.
The Catholic faith was brought to Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
by Jesuit missionaries Melchor de Vera and Alejandro Lopez in 1635. The efforts of the Spanish authorities to subdue the Muslims resulted in reprisal raids in Zamboanga and the Visayan Islands. In 1636 Fort Pilar
Fort Pilar
Fort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
, in honor of Our Lady of the Pillar, was constructed by priest-engineer Fr. de Vera. Jesuit Frs. Francisco Paliola and Alejandro Lopez died as martyrs in their efforts to win the Muslims through diplomacy. The establishment of Fort Pilar gave birth of the future city of Zamboanga.
On January 20, 1933, Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI
Pope Pius XI , born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti, was Pope from 6 February 1922, and sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929 until his death on 10 February 1939...
divided Mindanao into two areas. Southern Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago became under the jurisdiction of Zamboanga. Northern Mindanao became under the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro. In 1951 Cagayan de Oro became an archdiocese, the first in the island of Mindanao. All episcopal jurisdictions in Mindanao and Sulu, including Zamboanga, became suffragans of this archdiocese.
The Diocese of Zamboanga was further divided when the Prelature Nullius of Davao
Archdiocese of Davao
The Archdiocese of Davao is an ecclesiatical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is a Metropolitan See in the island of Mindanao...
was established and separated in 1949; the Prelature of Cotabato in 1950; the Prelature of Isabela, Basilan, in 1963, and the Prelature of Ipil in 1979.
Zamboanga was established an archdiocese on May 15, 1958 by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
. As an ecclesiastical province, the Archdiocese of Zamboanga included Zamboanga City and had as suffragans the Prelature of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay, the Prelature of Isabela in Basilan and the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo. Its titular patroneses is Our Lady of the Pillar, and its secondary patron is St. Pius X.
The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines adopted the Community of Disciples as the prime model of the Church, with focus on being a Church of the Poor. The challenge for the archdiocese in Zamboanga is to incarnate the vision of PCP II.
An Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly was held early in 1995, formalizing preparations for the Second Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly of Zamboanga in 1996.
Among the Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese of Zamboanga are 2 colleges, 6 secondary schools, 6 elementary schools, and 8 kindergarten schools. Charitable and social institutions include a leprosarium, 5 free clinics, 1 orphanage and 1 child center.
In 2010 the Zamboanga archdiocese celebrated the 100th anniversary of its establishment as the first diocese in Mindanao with a commemorative mass on April 12, 2010. The 50th or golden anniversary of its establishment as an archdiocese (1958-2008) was part of this celebration.
Suffragan Diocese and Territorial Prelature
- Diocese of Ipil
- Territorial Prelature of IsabelaTerritorial Prelature of IsabelaThe Territorial Prelature of Isabela is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Isabela City in the Ecclesiastical province of Zamboanga in the Philippines.-History:...
The Diocese of Zamboanga (1910-1958)
- Michael James O'Doherty (1911-1916)
- James Paul McCloskey (1917-1920)
- José Clos y Pagés, S.J. (1920-1931)
- Luis Del Rosario, S.J. (1933-1958)
The Archdiocese of Zamboanga (1958-present)
- Luis del Rosario, S.J. (1958-1966)
- Lino Gonzaga y Rasdesales (1966-1973)
- Francisco Raval Cruces (1973-1994)
- Carmelo Dominador Flores Morelos (1994-2006)
- Romulo VallesRomulo VallesThe Most Reverend Romulo Geolina Valles, D.D. is the current Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Zamboanga in the City of Zamboanga, on the island of Mindanao, Philippines.-Biography:...
(2006-present)
The Vicariate of the Immaculate Conception
- Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate ConceptionThe Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
Metropolitan Cathedral ( Founded: 1816) - seat of the Zamboanga Archdiocese - Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, Fort Pilar
- Saint JosephSaint JosephSaint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
Chinese Community Parish, Nuñez St., Zamboanga City (Founded: 1954) - St. Ignatius de Loyola, Tetuan, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1836)
- Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Tugbungan, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1987)
- St. Isidore the LaborerIsidore the LaborerIsidore the Laborer, also known as Isidore the Farmer, , was a Spanish day laborer known for his goodness toward the poor and animals. He is the Catholic patron saint of farmers and of Madrid and of La Ceiba, Honduras....
, Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1992) - Saint Roche (San Roque), Mampang, Zamboanga City (quasi-parish, founded: 2008)
- Our Mother of Perpetual HelpOur Mother of Perpetual HelpOur Lady of Perpetual Help or "Sancta Mater de Perpetuo Succursu" Holy Mother of Perpetual Help is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Pope Pius IX, associated with a Byzantine icon of the same name dating from the 15th century...
, Guiwan, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1997)- Secondary Patron: St. Isidore the Laborer
- St. Anthony of PaduaAnthony of PaduaAnthony of Padua or Anthony of Lisbon, O.F.M., was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, Italy, he was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is where he was raised...
, Putik, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1991) - Divine Mercy Parish, Divisioria, Zamboanga City (Founded:2005)
- Primary Patroness: Our Lady of Fatima (former quasi-parish)
The Vicariate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Our Lady of Mount CarmelOur Lady of Mount CarmelOur Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
, Ayala, Zamboanga City (Founded:1871) - Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Labuan, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1988)
- Transfiguration Parish, Sinunuc,Zamboanga City (Founded:2006)
- Patron: Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (former quasi-parish)
- San Roque Parish San Roque, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1998 )
- Primary Patron: Saint RochRochSaint Roch or Rocco ; lived c.1348 - 15/16 August 1376/79 was a Christian saint, a confessor whose death is commemorated on 16 August; he is specially invoked against the plague...
- Primary Patron: Saint Roch
- Our Lady of Purification, Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1935 )
- Holy Trinity, Pasonanca, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1992 )
- Our Lady of Manaoag Parish, Tumaga, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1997 )
- Secondary Patroness: St. Clare of AssisiClare of AssisiClare of Assisi , born Chiara Offreduccio, is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi...
(former quasi-parish)
- Secondary Patroness: St. Clare of Assisi
- St. Anthony Mary Claret, Canelar (Founded: 1980)
- Our Lady of PeñafranciaOur Lady of PeñafranciaOur Lady of Peñafrancia is a wooden statue of virgin mary originally came from Salamanca, Spain. Tens of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, tourists come to Naga City, Philippines every September for a nine-day festivities in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Patroness of Bicol, endearingly...
, Southcom Village, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1992 )
The Vicariate of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
- Our Lady of Ransom, Mercedes, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1891)
- Our Lady of the AssumptionAssumption of MaryAccording to the belief of Christians of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, and parts of the Anglican Communion and Continuing Anglicanism, the Assumption of Mary was the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her life...
, Culianan, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1993) - Our Lady of FatimaOur Lady of FatimaOur Lady of Fátima is a famous title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13...
, Manicahan, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1967) - St. Joseph the Worker, Sangali, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1992)
- Our Lady of LourdesOur Lady of LourdesOur Lady of Lourdes is the name used to refer to the Marian apparition said to have appeared before various individuals on separate occasions around Lourdes, France...
, Bunguiao, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1993 ) - Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Bolong, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1974)
- St. Stanislaus KostkaStanislaus KostkaStanisław Kostka S.J. was a Polish novice of the Society of Jesus. In the Catholic Church as Saint Stanislaus Kostka....
, Curuan, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1984 ) - Our Lady of the Pillar, Vitali, Zamboanga City ( Founded: 1963 )
Office and Residence
- Archbishop's Palace, Sacred Heart Center, R.T. Lim Boulevard, Zamboanga City
- Archdiocesan Chancery and Plenary Hall (Centro Pastoral), Gov. Camins Avenue, Zamboanga City
Men
-
- Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or known as Claretians (CMF)
- Pontifical Society of Foreign Missions (PIME)
- Society of JesusSociety of JesusThe Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
or Jesuits (SJ)
Women
-
- Handmaids of the Divine Heart [Spinola Sisters] (ADC)
- Religious of the Virgin MaryReligious of the Virgin MaryThe Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary is a ecclesiastical community of vowed religious Roman Catholic women of pontifical right and approval founded in Manila, Philippines. The community was founded in 1684 by Venerable Mother Ignacia del Espíritu Santo, a Filipino Roman Catholic...
- Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (DC)
- Daughters of Saint Paul (FSP)
- Living The Gospel Community (LGC)
- Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret (MC)
- Mercedarian Missionaries of Berriz (MMB)
- Society of Catholic Medical Mission SistersMedical Mission SistersThe Medical Mission Sisters are a religious congregation of women in the Roman Catholic Church founded in 1925 and dedicated to providing the poor of the world better access to health care. They were formerly officially known as the "Society of the Catholic Medical Missions".-History:The...
(MMS) - Sisters of the Queen of Apostles (SRA)
- Oblates of Notre DameOblates of Notre DameThe Oblates of Notre Dame is a religious congregation based in Cotabato City, Philippines.Founded November 10, 1956 in Cotabato City, by two missionaries of Oblates of Mary Immaculate who came to Manila in 1939: Fathers George Dion and Gerard Mongeau....
(OND) - Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary (OP)
- Benedictine Sisters of the Eucharistic King (OSB)
- Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS)
- Religious of Mary Immaculate Claretian Missionary Sisters (RMICM)
- Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SFIC)
- Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit (SSpS)
- Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres (SPC)
- Order of the Blessed Virgin of Mt. Carmel (OCD) (Discalced Carmelites-Contemplatives)
Schools and Institutions
- Ateneo de Zamboanga UniversityAteneo de Zamboanga UniversityThe Ateneo de Zamboanga University is a Catholic and Jesuit university in Western Mindanao. It is also known by the acronym AdZU. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912, it is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It initially catered to primary and secondary education for boys. It...
(SJ)- La Purisima St., Zamboanga City- ADZU High School- Tumaga-Lunzuran Road, Tumaga, Zamboanga City
- Saint Joseph School (Archdiocesan)- Gov. Camins Ave., Zamboanga City
- Pilar College (RVM)- Justice R.T. Lim Boulevard, Zamboanga City
- Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School (Archdiocesan)- in front of St. Ignatius Parish, Tetuan, Zamboanga City
- Annex Campus- Natividad Road, Tetuan, Zamboanga City
- Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School (ICAS) de Calarian (formerly Western Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School), San Jose-Limpapa National Highway, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City
- Eastern Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School (EICAS), Ma. Clara L. Lobregat Highway, Sangali, Zamboanga City
- Mercedarian Kindergarten School (Mercedarians)- Mercedarian Compound, Santa Maria, Zamboanga City
- Claret School of Zamboanga City (Claretians)- San Jose Road, Canelar, Zamboanga City
Facts and Information
- The city's primary patroness is Our Lady of the Pillar, whose shrine is located at the old Fort PilarFort PilarFort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
. Her feast day is October 12, the city's official holiday. - Bishop Michael O'Doherty was the first bishop of the diocese in 1910 until he was appointed Archbishop of Manila in 1916.