Featuring the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran

TO 75 YEARS OF JOURNEY TO FAITH AND RESILIENCY

Sem. Saturcito Velasco, Jr.

T

his year 2016 marks the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran. From the Christian faith has come over since 1595 here in the province of Bohol until this 21^st century, it has grown much and advanced into the erection of the twin dioceses in the province. As heart of the Diocese, the seminary official publication which is the heart of the seminary featured her mother. As we journey towards this Holy Jubilee Year of Celebration, let us have a view on what happened more than 75 years ago.

Pre-Spanish Period

In the seaside village of Bool, three kilometers from the center of today’s Tagbilaran City, DatuSikatuna with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi has sealed the first international treaty of friendship in Philippine territory. It has been sealed and immortalized in the diocese’s coat of arms and the province’s official seal. Spreading the first missions of the Jesuit Missionaries, the parishes of Baclayon in 1595, Loboc in 1602 and Dauis in 1697 has erected. The faith spread over the island through friendship and intermarriage between the Spaniards and Boholanos.

Erection of the Diocese

Amidst the outbreak of the World War II, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran was formally erected by virtue of the Papal Bull of Pope Pius XII on November 8, 1941. On that day, the See of Tagbilaran was official separated from the Archdiocese of Cebu which originally comprised the entire civil province of Bohol with the land area of 3,979 square kilometers. The governance of the Diocese remained in the hands of Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes, DD., the Archbishop of Cebu who acted as the Apostolic Administrator.

“TeAmariFaciam”

On September 25, 1946, Most Rev. Julio Rosales, DD., took the Canonical Possession of the Diocese with the Episcopal motto, “TeAmariFaciam” (Let me Love you). As the first Bishop of Tagbilaran, he initiated spiritual and material foundations of the diocese through the intensification of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Women’s League. He established parochial schools and big conventos. Most noteworthy of the legacies of later Cardinal Rosales was the founding of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in 1950. Cardinal Rosales appointed as Archbishop of Cebu.

“Confido in Domino”

On January 29, 1952, Most Rev. Manuel Mascariñas, DD., ascended as the second bishop of Tagbilaran with his Episcopal motto, “Confido in Domino” (I confide in the Lord). He is a Boholano bishop from the town of Antequera. He continued to build more buildings in the fast growing seminary and founded diocesan High Schools. He represented the diocese in the Second Vatican Council and started the Aggiornamento in the diocese. Later in his term, he was assisted by an auxiliary bishop who was Most Rev. Juan Nilmar. Bishop Nilmar initiated the proper administration of the temporal goods in the diocese and introduced the Pension Plan for the clergy in the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

“VeritatemTuamAnnunciabo”

On 1976, Most Rev. Onesimo Gordoncillo, DD., a Negrense, took his Canonical Possession as the third Bishop of the diocese with the Episcopal motto, “VeritatemTuamAnnuniciabo” (I will announce your truth). Aside from pursuing the programs of his predecessors, he initiated and introduced the Parish Pastoral Councils in the different parishes. With so many priest vocations in the diocese, he elevated eight priests to the rank of Honorary Prelate. He also completed the auditorium and chapel of the IHMS. Because of the deep faith of Boholanos, he decided to split the Tagbilaran diocese to give way on the creation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Talibon.

“UtVitamAbundantiusHabeant”

On December 2, 1986, the See of Tagbilaran received her fourth bishop in the person of Most Rev. Felix Zafra, DD., with his episcopal motto, “UtvitamabundantiusHabeant” (That they may have life more abundantly). Early in his term, the Diocese of Tagbilaran gave birth to the Diocese of Talibon. In his term, the Boholanos experienced vigorous growth brought about by ecclesiastical landmarks like the National Eucharistic Year, Ruby Jubilee Celebration of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary and the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines. He initiated the proliferation of the Perpetual Adoration Chapels in the parishes.

“Unitas in Caritate”

On January 1993, Most Rev. LeopoldoTumulak took his canonical possession. Bearing his episcopal motto “Unitas in Caritate” (Unity in Love), he steered the diocese toward convening the first ever Diocesan Synod in 1997. The formation and enrichment of the Basic Ecclesial Communities became the basic diocesan pastoral thrust. He also decreed the implementation of the New Financial System which is the standardization and centralization of the allowance of the clergy and diocesan funds.

“Ambula Coram Me”

On December 2006, Diocese of Tagbilaran received her sixth Bishop from the Diocese of Borongan, Most Rev. Leonardo Medroso, DD., JCD, with the Episcopal motto, “Ambula coram me” (Walk in the presence of me). Inspired by the outcome of the First Diocesan Synod of 1997 and the upcoming Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the diocese, he initiated a Five-Year Pastoral Program. Within in this program, the diocese will produce books which will be used as the basic catechism of the Boholanos.