Part 12
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. Miguel Guardiet, Jesuit, Lianga, Surigao.
Erected as a parish by diocesan decree under the patronage of the Holy Infant on August 12, 1879. Redondo described the place as situated beside a river in the center of an islet of the same name in the eastern coast of the island of Mindanao, it is bound on the north by the town of Tandag, which is more than 12 leagues away; on the south by the town of Ginatuan, an annex of Bislig, ten hours by the sea.
Fr. Julian Diaz, Franciscan, Libas, Samar
It was erected as parish by diocesan decree on August 23, 1871 through superior approval on July 4, 1865, it separated from its mother parish Sulat. It is under the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows. Southeast of the town, one league away on the shore of Point Nonoc, there is a visita (chapel), Nonoc, with a chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist, another visita, Simangan, half a league from the former, has a chapel under the patronage of San Pascual Bayon, two leagues from another parish, called Pababaagnon, it has a hermitage dedicated to St. Francis of Asissi. The town of Libas is situated on the bank of a river on the shore, in the eastern coast of Samar; it is bound on the south by the town of Borongan.
Fr. Calisto Cister, Recollect, Lila, Bohol.
Erected as a parish by diocesan decree on July 8, 1869 through superior approval on June 5, 1868. It is under the patronage of Our Lady of the Rosary. It separated from its mother parish, Dimiao.
Fr. Manuel Jimenez, Recollect, Liloan, Cebu
Erected as a parish by diocesan decree on January 27, 1845, through superior approval of August 23, 1844. It separated from Mandaue. It is under the patronage of St. Ferdinand, King of Spain. Fr. Redondo said that according to the parish priest, it was already a town during the first years of the conquest, but it disappeared due to Moro attacks.
Fr. Tomas Fernandez, Recollect, Loay, Bohol.
The origin of the parish, under the patronage of the Most Holy Trinity, dates back to 1799 when it separated from Loboc, its mother parish. Redondo described its church as made of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry, with transept, in good condition; has galvanized iron sheet roofing. (To be continued)