The parish priests of the Diocese of Cebu - Part 3

The Diocese of Cebu in the 1700s had jurisdiction over all the islands and provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao, even reaching to the Marianas Islands.

The parishes were administered by missionaries coming from the orders of the Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Recollects, and the secular clergy.

The list is taken from the book of Fr. Felipe Redondo in 1886:

Fr. Jorge Tabuenca, Recollect, Bilar, Bohol.

Bilar was separated in 1831 by royal approval on April 18, 1829. Redondo, quoting the earlier report entitled “Estadistico de los Recoleto”, states that the whole land was part of the parish of Loboc. Its patron saint is San Isidro Labrador.

Felipe Souquez, Secular Clergy, Bislig, Surigao.

Bislig was the capital of the Bislig Command. Under it were the parishes of Tandag, Lianga, Bislig, and Caraga. The parish of Bislig was created in 1848. It is under the patronage of St. Thomas Villanueva. Aside from Bislig, the parish also covers the towns of Ginatuan, Catel, and Lingig, and the two settlements of Loyola and San Nicolas.

Fr. Manuel del Olmo, Franciscan, Bobon, Samar.

Bobon (now part of Northern Samar) was created as a parish on June 13, 1886 under the patronage of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Its mother church is Catarman.

Catalino Mendoza, Secular Clergy, Bogo, Cebu.

Bogo was under the Vicariate of Western Cebu and all the parishes at that time belong to the Diocese and under the administration of the secular clergy. Bogo was erected as a parish on May 31, 1850 under the patronage of St. Vincent Ferrer. Its mother parish was Bantayan.

Fr. Fabian Rodriguez, Augustinian, Boljoon, Cebu.

It was created in honor of the Patrocinio de la Santisima Virgen (Patronage of the Holy Virgin). It 1698 it was a Vicariate or a visita of Carcar, Cebu.

Celedonio Gador, Secular Clergy, Borbon, Cebu.

Borbon was created as a parish on September 15, 1862. It is under the patronage of St. Sebastian Martyr. Its mother parish was Sogod.

Fr. Gil Martinez, Franciscan, Borongan, Samar.

Borongan was under the Vicariate of the Eastern Coast of Samar. It was founded by the Jesuit Fathers, who administered it until 1768. It was turned over to the Franciscan Fathers, it is under the patronage of the Nativity of Our Lady. (To be continued) [email protected]