Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos

Diocese of Malolos Dioecesis Malolosinae Diyosesis ng Malolos Diócesis de Malolos
Coat of Arms
Location
Country	Philippines
Territory	Bulacan Valenzuela City
Ecclesiastical province	Manila
Metropolitan	Manila
Statistics
Area	2,672 km2 (1,032 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2015) 3,841,210 3,303,441 (87.5%)
Parishes	108
Churches	in
Information
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	March 11, 1962
Cathedral	Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Patron saint	Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Dennis Cabanada Villarojo
Metropolitan Archbishop	Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle
Vicar General	Pablo S. Legaspi, Jr.
Website
https://malolosdiocese.ph/

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos (Lat: Dioecesis Malolosinae) is a Roman Rite diocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The mother church of the Diocese is the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception located in Malolos City, Bulacan.

The Diocese of Malolos, with jurisdiction over the Province of Bulacan and the City of Valenzuela in Metropolitan Manila and suffragan to the Archdiocese of Manila, was created on March 11, 1962 by Pope John XXIII. Most Rev. Manuel P. del Rosario, DD was installed by Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Salvatore Siino as the first bishop of the Diocese. He was succeeded by Most Rev. Cirilo R. Almario Jr., DD in 1977 and died in October 14, 2016. While Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, who is now the Archbishop of Caceres, became the third bishop in 1996. Due to the death of Most Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, DD, the fourth bishop of Malolos, on May 11, 2018, Pope Francis appointed Honesto F. Ongtioco, Bishop of Cubao as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese on May 16, 2018. On May 14, 2019, Pope Francis appointed Dennis C. Villarojo, then Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu and Titular Bishop of Gisipa as the Fifth Bishop Of the Diocese.

History

Bulacan was Christianized in the 1572 by the Augustinian Friars headed by Fray Diego de Herrera, Martin de Rada and Fray Diego Ordoñez de Vivar from Guadalajara Mexico the Western Bulacan became the centers of Augustinians Order in Towns of Calumpit with Hagonoy and Apalit, Bulakan with Bigaa and Caluya, Malolos with Quingua while on the Southern part comprising the Old Meycauayan was Christianized by Franciscans in 1578.

Bulacan Province which lies in the Central Plains of Luzon, or Region III. Bulacan is bounded by Nueva Ecija on the north, Aurora (Dingalan) on the northeast, Quezon (General Nakar) on the east, Rizal (Rodriguez) on the southeast, Metro Manila (Valenzuela City, Malabon City, Navotas City, Caloocan City and Quezon City) on the south, Manila Bay on the southwest, and Pampanga on the west. The province of Bulacan is rich in rice, in fruits and in poultry and fishpond production. Other products are sugar and corn.

Historically, Bulacan, together with other Central Luzon provinces, was among the first to take up arms against Spanish authorities. It played an important role in the Philippine Revolution of 1896. When the capital of the new Republic was moved from Bacoor in Cavite to Malolos in Bulacan, the First Revolutionary Congress met at the Barasoain Church, a landmark in Philippine history, to draft the first constitution of the First Philippine Republic. And on January 21, 1899 Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the First Philippine Republic, promulgated what is now known as the Malolos Constitution. It was the first important Filipino document to come out of people's representation.

Prior to the creation of the Diocese of Malolos, it is part of Archdiocese of Manila as Vicaria de La Inmaculada Concepcion or Vicaria dela Provincia de Bulacan with Malolos Church as the headquarters of Vicariate of Bulacan comprising the whole Province of Bulacan but later the province was divided into two vicariates,other one is for Franciscan riconandas of Meycauayan including Polo (now Valenzuela City)

The Diocese of Malolos was created upon the Papal Bull "Christi Fidelium" November 25, 1961 and it was officially opened on March 11, 1962, the Malolos Church became Cathedral and the site of the canonical installation of the first resident bishop of Malolos, Most Reverend Manuel del Rosario, D.D. For Malolos, it was a new chapter in its already fabled history. It was the late Pope John XXIII who created the Diocese of Malolos as a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Manila. In the celebration, Bishop del Rosario was installed by Archbishop Salvatore Siino, then papal nuncio to the Philippines.

In Guiguinto, Bulacan town, the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary The seminary, considered the nucleus potential of the diocese, has become the alma mater of two hundred and fifty priests who have now assumed responsible positions in the diocese and its 100 plus parishes. The seminary has grown to include new buildings for a college seminary, a formation institute, and theology school.

A few years later two auxiliary bishops were assigned to Malolos: Most Reverend Leopoldo Arcaira who arrived in 1966, then Most Reverend Ricardo Vidal. When Monsignor Vidal was elevated to the position of archbishop and was assigned to Lipa, Pope Paul VI gave Malolos a young and energetic prelate, Most Reverend Cirilo R. Almario, Jr. He became the bishop of Malolos from December 15, 1977 up to January 20, 1996.

The third bishop is the former auxiliary bishop of Manila, Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, a Carmelite Discalced. He started his episcopacy on the December, 1996. He was later transferred in June 2003 to the Prelature of Infanta to replace another Carmelite Discalced prelate, Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD. He is now the Archbishop of Nueva Caceres.

The fourth bishop is a priest from the Diocese of Gumaca in Quezon and formerly a Bishop of the Diocese of Boac, Marinduque, Most Rev. Jose Francisco Oliveros, DD. He took the office on May 14, 2004 and died on May 11, 2018.

The fifth bishop is a priest from the Archdiocese of Cebu in Cebu and formerly a Auxilliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cebu, Most Rev. Dennis C. Villarojo, DD. He took the office on May 14, 2019.

The Diocese of Malolos comprises the entire civil province of Bulacan and the city of Valenzuela in Metro Manila. Its titular patron is the Immaculate Conception whose solemnity is celebrated December 8. The population covered by the diocese is 1,650,000 of which 85 per cent are Catholics.

In June and July 1987, Bishop Cirilo Almario convened the First Diocesan Synod of Malolos. It had for its theme: "To Prepare for the Lord a Perfect People." Together with the priests and the Christian faithful of the province the Synod formulated its own vision-mission statement. To fulfill its mission, a restructuring of the diocesan organization was called for in line with the spirit of Vatican II.

The Second Synod of the Diocese was convened by Most Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, DD. It was held from April 8 to April 13, 2016. It had the theme "Contemplating the face of Christ and proclaiming God's transforming grace with unwavering faith towards the new evangelization in the Diocese of Malolos."

Diocese of Malolos' present Organizational chart photo in the convent.

The Diocese's fourth Bishop José Francisco Oliveros, in a solemn Mass at the Malolos Cathedral.

Bulacan: One of the bastion of early christian missions in Luzon 1572–1581

The present territory of the Diocese of Malolos historically traces to the early catholic missions as of 1572 of the Spanish Missionaries promulgated primarily by the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) and secondarily in 1578 upon the arrival of the Order of Franciscan Minor (OFM) in the present day Province of Bulacan which was one of the earliest catholic missions in the Philippines 440 years ago.

CALUMPIT (1572) : Although it was established by Don Miguel de Legaspi and Martin de Goiti as Encomienda under Conquistador Sargento Mayor Juan Moron on November 14, 1571, it was christiniazed by Fray Diego Ordoñez de Vivar only in April 1572 where the Augustinians first arrived at Meyto and made it ministerios of Tondo but classified as semi-convent para cathequezar the east-west Pampanga and north-western Bulacan on May 3, 1572. They built a parish and convent under the patronage of San Nicolas de Tolentino with Fray Diego de Hererra as Prior but later replaced by Fray Martin de Rada, the prior provincial itself. The Church and Convent renamed San Juan Bautista in December 1576 and Our Lady of Presentation in Panducot as patroness. Former visitas of Calumpit are Macabebe, Candaba, Malolos, Hagonoy and Apalit, all separated as town later except Panducot, Meyto, Meysulao and Santa Lucia still a barrios of Calumpit.

BULAKAN (1578): It was established by the Augustinians under the direction of Tondo Curate, Fray Alonso Alvarado as one of the visitas of Tondo on April 30, 1575 and in August 1578 under the patronage of Our Lady of Assumption it became parish and convent having Fray Diego Vivar as its first minister. Bulakan was the former capital of the provincia de Bulacan and its former visitas are Guiguinto and Caluya (Balagtas) but the later where ceded to Malolos Convent in the 1600s.

MEYCAUAYAN (1578): Established thru the apostolic zeal of Fray Juan de Plasencia OFM and Diego Oropesa OFM who arrived in Lagolo in 1578, one of the first Franciscan missionaries in the Philippines and established the Catholic faith in old Meycauayan and its visitas such as Polo (Valenzuela), Obando (Catanghalan),San Jose del Monte, Santa Maria, Marilao and Bocaue.

MALOLOS (1580): Contemporary with Calumpit, it was primarily established secularly by Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Martin de Goiti as Encomienda of Malolos under Don Marcos de Herrera on November 14, 1571, but before it was Christianized,in April 5, 1572 Legaspi merged the two encomiendas under the single name of Pueblo de Calumpit. Also on the same yeat Prior Provincial Martin de Rada acts as the prior of Calumpit when Fray Diego de Herrera dispatched to Spain,and it was made visita of Convent of Calumpit with Fray Diego Vivar as chaplain. The parochial beginnings was officially established June 11, 1580 under the patronage of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception with Fray Matheo de Mendoza as its first minister. Former visitas of Malolos are Quingua, Paombong and Bigaa.

HAGONOY (1581): Christianized by the friars from nearby Calumpit by Fray Diego Ordonez de Vivar. In December 28, 1578 Gov.Francisco Sande ordered the inclusion of Agonoy in the territory of Calumpit,thus it was also the same year when it was established as "ministerios" vis-a-vis, visita of the Calumpit Convent. In April 1581 it was separated as Parish and having Fray Diego Vivar as its first Prior but the Town is still under the Auspices and Justice from Calumpit until 1700s.

QUINGUA (1605): Quingua was originally one of the visitas of Malolos Convent and it was Christianized by Fray Matheo de Mendoza in 1581. When Fray Roque de Barrionuevo came he endorsed the creation of a quasi parish of Quingua in 1602, Fray Diego Pardo was installed as its first parochial minister in 1605. Former visitas of Quingua are Baliwag, Bustos and Angat.

Ordinaries

• Manuel P. del Rosario†: 11 Dec 1965 Appointed – 15 Dec 1977 Resigned, 23 March 2009 Died
• Cirilo R. Almario, Jr.†: 15 Dec 1977 Succeeded – 20 Jan 1996 Resigned, 14 October 2016 Died
• Rolando Octavus Joven Tria Tirona: 14 Dec 1996 Appointed – 28 Jun 2003 Appointed, Prelate of Infanta
• Jose Francisco Oliveros†: 14 May 2004 Appointed – 11 May 2018, Died
• Dennis Cabanada Villarojo: 14 May 2019, Appointed - 21 August 2019 - Installed by Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle

Parishes and Shrines of the Diocese of Malolos

Western District

VICARIATE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MALOLOS - Malolos City and Bulakan

• Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception - Malolos City
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (Barasoain Church) - Malolos City
• Holy Trinity Parish - Santisima Trinidad, Malolos City
• Saint Joseph the Worker Parish - Panasahan, Malolos City
• St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish - Sta. Isabel, Malolos City
• Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish - San Felipe Subd., Mojon, Malolos City
• Holy Spirit Parish - Alido Heights, Malolos City
• St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Bulihan, Malolos City
• Our Lady of the Lord's Presentation Parish - Maunlad Homes Subd., Malolos City
• Stella Maris Mission Parish - Pamarawan, Malolos City
• Our Lady of Assumption Parish - Bulakan
• St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Bambang, Bulakan

VICARIATE OF ST. ANNE OF HAGONOY - Hagonoy, Calumpit and Paombong

• National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne - Hagonoy
• St. Anthony of Padua Parish - Iba, Hagonoy
• St. John the Baptist Parish - San Juan, Hagonoy
• St. Helena the Empress Parish - Sta. Elena, Hagonoy
• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy
• Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish - San Pedro, Hagonoy
• St. Joseph the Worker Parish - San Jose, Calumpit
• St. James the Great Parish - Paombong
• Holy Cross Mission Parish - Sta. Cruz, Paombong

VICARIATE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE OF PLARIDEL - Plaridel, Calumpit, Guiguinto and Pulilan

• St. James the Apostle Parish - Plaridel
• St. Michael the Archangel Parish - Dampol, Plaridel
• Holy Angels Parish - San Jose, Plaridel
• St. Ildephonsus of Toledo Parish - Poblacion, Guiguinto
• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - Pulong Gubat, Guiguinto
• St. Rita of Cascia Parish - Sta. Rita, Guiguinto
• Holy Family Parish - Violeta Village, Sta. Cruz, Guiguinto
• Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. John the Baptist - Calumpit
• St. Mark the Evangelist Parish - San Marcos, Calumpit
• Sto. Niño Parish - Sto. Niño, Calumpit
• St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Pulilan
• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish - Peñabatan, Pulilan

Northern District

VICARIATE OF ST. AUGUSTINE OF BALIUAG - Baliuag, San Rafael, Bustos, Angat, Doña Remedios Trinidad and Pulilan

• St. Augustine Parish - Baliuag
• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - Makinabang, Baliuag
• Holy Family Parish - Tangos, Baliuag
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Sabang, Baliuag
• Nuestra Señora delas Flores Parish - Virgen delas Flores, Baliuag
• Immaculate Conception Quasi-Parish - Concepcion, Baliuag
• Sto. Cristo Quasi-Parish - Sto. Cristo, Baliuag
• St. John of God Parish - San Rafael
• Sto. Cristo Parish - Caingin, San Rafael
• Sto. Niño Parish - Bustos
• St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Liciada, Bustos
• St. Monica Parish - Angat
• St. Rita of Cascia Parish - Binagbag, Angat
• St. Paul the Apostle Parish - Niugan, Angat
• Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - Doña Remedios Trinidad
• Ascension of the Lord Parish - Sto. Cristo, Pulilan

VICARIATE OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL OF SAN MIGUEL - San Miguel, San Ildefonso and San Rafael

• St. Michael the Archangel Parish - San Miguel
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Salacot, San Miguel
• Our Lady of Remedies Parish - Sibul, San Miguel
• St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Parish - San Jose, San Miguel
• St. Ildephonsus of Toledo Parish - San Ildefonso
• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - Malipampang, San Ildefonso
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Pinaod, San Ildefonso
• Most Holy Eucharist Quasi-Parish - Gabihan, San Ildefonso
• Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus - Cruz na Daan, San Rafael

Eastern District

VICARIATE OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS OF BOCAUE - Bocaue, Balagtas and Marilao

• Diocesan Shrine of the Holy Cross of Wawa and St. Martin of Tours Parish - Poblacion, Bocaue
• Sto. Cristo and St. Andrew Kim Taegon Parish - Lolomboy, Bocaue
• St. Peter of Alcantara Parish - Taal, Bocaue
• St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr Parish - Balagtas
• St. Peter the Apostle Parish - Burol II, Balagtas
• St. Joseph the Worker Parish - Panginay, Balagtas
• St. Michael the Archangel Parish - Poblacion I, Marilao
• National Shrine of the Divine Mercy - Sta. Rosa I, Marilao
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish - Meralco Village, Lias, Marilao
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish - Loma de Gato, Marilao

VICARIATE OF LA PURISIMA CONCEPCION OF SANTA MARIA - Santa Maria , Pandi and Norzagaray

• La Purisima Concepcion Parish - Santa Maria
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Pulong Buhangin, Santa Maria
• Sto. Niño Parish - Parada, Santa Maria
• St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish - San Gabriel, Santa Maria
• Holy Family Parish - Catmon, Santa Maria
• St. John the Evangelist Parish - Bagbaguin, Santa Maria
• Blessed Sacrament Parish - Caypombo, Santa Maria
• St. Isidore the Farmer Quasi-Parish - Partida, Pulong Buhangin, Santa Maria
• Immaculate Conception Parish - Pandi
• Sto. Cristo Parish - Siling Bata, Pandi
• St. Andrew the Apostle Parish - Poblacion, Norzagaray

Southern District

VICARIATE OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE - San Jose del Monte City, Loma de Gato, Marilao and Bigte, Norzagaray

• St. Joseph the Worker Parish - Poblacion I, San Jose del Monte City
• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - Sapang Palay-Minuyan, San Jose del Monte City
• St. Peter the Apostle Parish - Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte City
• St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Muzon, San Jose del Monte City
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Francisco Homes, Narra, San Jose del Monte City
• St. Lorenzo Ruiz of Manila Parish - Pleasant Hills, San Manuel, San Jose del Monte City
• Christ the King Parish - Area H, Sapang Palay, San Jose del Monte City
• Holy Family Parish - Sta. Cruz I, Sapang Palay, San Jose del Monte City
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Quasi-Parish - Deca Homes, Loma de Gato, Marilao
• Virgen delas Flores Quasi-Parish - Bigte, Norzagaray

VICARIATE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI OF MEYCAUAYAN - Meycauayan City and Obando

• St. Francis of Assisi Parish - Meycauayan City
• St. Isidore the Farmer and St. Roch Parish - Malhacan, Meycauayan City
• Sto. Niño Parish - Sto. Niño Village, Meycauayan City
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish - Heritage Homes, Meycauayan City
• St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Parish - St. Francis Village, Meycauayan City
• Risen Lord Parish - Lawa, Meycauayan City
• St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish - Tugatog, Meycauayan City
• Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Salambao and St. Paschal Baylon Parish - Obando
• Holy Cross Parish - Paco, Obando
• Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Salambao Parish - Binuangan, Obando

VICARIATE OF ST. DIDACUS OF ALCALA OF VALENZUELA - Valenzuela City

• St. Didacus of Alcala Parish - Polo
• National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Fatima - Valenzuela City Proper/Marulas
• St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Malinta
• Risen Lord Parish - Veinte Reales
• Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - Maysan
• Sto. Cristo Parish - Marulas
• Holy Cross Parish - Gen. T. de Leon
• St. John of the Cross Parish - Ugong
• Holy Family Parish - Karuhatan
• Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish - Malanday
• St. Joseph the Worker Parish - Punturin

Religious Congregations and Organizations

Religious Men

• Figli del'Amore Misericordioso-Sons of Merciful Love (FAM)
• Blessed Sacrament Fathers (SSS)
• Brothers of Mercy of St. John of God (FM-PA)
• Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC)

Religious Women

• Order of St. Augustine (OSA) (Contemplative)
• Sisters of the Divine Shepherd (SDS)
• Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel Ancient Observance (O.Carm) (Contemplative)
• Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena (OP)
• Dominican Nuns of Perpetual Adoration (OP)(contemplative)
• Handmaids of the Divine Word (HDW)
• Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart (MCSH)
• Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph (OP)
• Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (OSA)
• Religious Catechists of Mary (RCM)
• Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)
• Notre Dame de Vie Secular Institute (NDV)
• Sisters of 0ur Lady of La Salette (SNDS)
• Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSps)
• Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart (SFSC)
• Sisters of the Divine Mercy (SDM)
• St. Paul Charters (SPC)

Mandated Organizations and Renewal Movements

• Adoracion Nocturna Filipina
• Apostolado ng Panalangin
• Basic Ecclesial Communities
• Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
• Catholic Women’s League
• Council of the Laity
• Cursillos in Christianity
• Daughters of Mary Immaculate
• El Shaddai
• Knights of Columbus
• Legion of Mary
• Marriage Encounter
• Ministry of Altar Servers
• Ministry of Lectors and Commentators
• Mother Butler’s Mission Guild
• Parish Renewal Experience (PREX)
• Soldiers of Christ
• Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC)
• Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion
• Music Ministry

See also

• Catholic Church in the Philippines