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Diocese of Balanga Dioecesis Balangensis Diyosesis ng Balanga Diócesis de Balanga | |
|---|---|
| Catholic | |
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 Coat of arms | |
| Location | |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Territory | Bataan |
| Ecclesiastical province | San Fernando |
| Residence | Bishop's Residence, 41 Paterno Street, Poblacion,Balanga,Bataan |
| Metropolitan | San Fernando |
| Coordinates | 14°40′45″N120°32′24″E / 14.6792°N 120.5400°E /14.6792; 120.5400 |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 1,373 km2 (530 sq mi) |
Population
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|
| Parishes | 38 |
| Schools | 11 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Established | March 17, 1975; 50 years ago (1975-03-17) |
| Cathedral | Cathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph |
| Patron saint |
|
| Secular priests | 64 (34 diocesan and 30 religious priests) |
| Music | Bataan, Bayani, at Banal (2004–present) |
| Current leadership | |
| Pope | Leo XIV |
| Bishop | Rufino C. Sescon, Jr. |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Florentino G. Lavarias |
| Vicar General | Vacant |
| Judicial Vicar | Hernando B. Guanzon |
| Bishops emeritus | Honesto Flores Ongtioco |
| Map | |
 | |
| Website | |
| www | |
TheDiocese of Balanga is aLatin Churchdiocese of theCatholic Church in the Philippines, established on March 17, 1975, byPope Paul VI. The diocese has jurisdiction over the whole province ofBataan, with 38parishes, 6 diocesan shrines, oneminor basilica, chaplaincy, quasi-parish, national shrine and chapel, and 4 vicariates. TheCathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary in Aguire Street, serves as the seat of the diocese and office of the Bishop of Balanga, while the bishop's residence is at 41 Paterno Street, Poblacion, Balanga. It is part of theEcclesiastical Province of San Fernando, Pampanga. The titular patron of the diocese isSaint Joseph, whose feast day falls on March 19. The city'sfiesta is celebrated on April 28.
Since March 1, 2025,Rufino Sescon, the former rector ofQuiapo Church inManila, is the fifth and currentbishop of the diocese.
The Diocese of Balanga was established on March 17, 1975 byPope Paul VI through the papal bullQuoniam Recte Universum. It comprises the entire civil province of Bataan, the smallest among the provinces of Central Luzon. The province is a peninsula jutting out to sea, with Manila Bay to the east, South China Sea to the west, and the province of Zambales to the north. Only 1 of the 15 priests of the diocese was a native of Bataan when Bishop Celso Guevarra was installed as the diocese's first bishop on November 8, 1975 and separated Bataan from theArchdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga eight months after its establishment.
Before this, the region was divided into two parts: the Corregimiento of Mariveles and the Province of Pampanga. The towns of Mariveles, Bagac, Morong and Maragondon,Cavite, comprised the Corregimiento of Mariveles that was under the jurisdiction of the Recollect Order. The province of Pampanga included the towns of Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Orani, Llana Hermosa and San Juan de Dinalupihan. The latter group was under the charge of the Dominican Order. Limay, the twelfth town of Bataan, was named only in 1917.
The topography of the province has made most of the inhabitants farmers or fishermen, with a sprinkling of merchants, factory workers and professionals. Recent years, however, have seen the development of manufacturing industries in the province, particularly the Free Zone in Mariveles which has brought an influx of workers from other provinces and improved living conditions of its own workers.
Historically, Bataan is most remembered, along with the island of Corregidor, as the main scene of action in the Philippines during the Second World War. These places are strategic in guarding the entrance to Manila Bay. The surrender of Filipino and American soldiers to overwhelming Japanese forces marked the Fall of Bataan in 1942. A war memorial, Dambana ng Kagitingan, now stands to honor the men who fought and died in that last stand.
During the 23-year tenure of Bishop Celso Guevarra, the diocese has continuously spread its branches far and wide. The number of parishes increased from 13 to 25. In each of these parishes, one can find many concerned, committed and generous lay leaders. Together with their parish priests, not only have they renovated and/or totally rebuilt their parish churches and convents but are actively responding to the never-ending demands of evangelization. The major diocesan commissions, which have been established, introduced new and various apostolates in the diocese and in the parishes.
The inspiring words and assuring presence ofHonesto Ongtioco (now Bishop-emeritus ofCubao), who succeeded Bishop Celso, guided the young diocese as it celebrated its 25th anniversary and as it responded to the call ofPope John Paul II at the beginning of the third millennium, “Duc in Altum.” His kindness and charity allowed the various branches of the diocesan tree to grow in different directions in pursuit of his plan to convoke a Diocesan Pastoral Assembly. However, God has other and better plans both for Bishop Ongtioco and the diocese of Balanga. Bishop Ongtioco has just laid the foundation for the realization of his vision when he was installed to lead the newDiocese of Cubao inQuezon City on August 28, 2003.
In July 2005, under the tenure ofSocrates Villegas, the six-years term of each parishes and churches of the diocese began where each rectors and parish priests will serve the whole term except if one dies, designation is controversial, theBishop of Balanga decided to have a fill-in priest to serve the remaining part of a current term, or if there is no priest designated, the bishop will become aparish administrator of a particular parish where the official position is vacant.
In 2006, the Diocesan Schools of Bataan Educational Foundation, Inc. (DSOBEFI) was established to integrate Catholic schools in Bataan into the Diocese of Balanga.
On December 8, 2008, Clinica Diocesano de San Jose, the diocese's clinic, was founded which is a weekly medical and dental mission for the poor people of Bataan.
At the second half of the third 2017–2023 subsequent 6-years term of the diocese from June 5, 2020 to June 4, 2023,Ruperto Santos became theparish administrator ofDiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Nicholas Tolentine inMariveles,Bataan due to the workers from theFreeport Area of Bataan (FAB) expressed opposition against the parish's programs under its last rector and parish priest Rev. Fr. Gerry Jorge which forced him to stepped down and no fill-in priest for that term available to be designated, making the first bishop to hold the position on a particular parish.
On July 22, 2023, Bataan returned temporarily to the jurisdiction ofArchdiocese of San Fernando after 47 years and 8 months when Santos became Bishop ofAntipolo, coveringRizal Province as well asMarikina City inMetro Manila where Pope Francis appointed ArchbishopFlorentino Lavarias assede vacante apostolic administrator or temporary bishop of the diocese which lasted untilRufino Sescon became fifth bishop on March 1, 2025, the diocese's 50th year.
The diocese celebrated its 50th anniversary from March 18 to November 7, 2025. Its logo was unveiled and first used in 2020 underRuperto Santos as its preparation. The mass for the diocese's anniversary was presided byCharles John Brown (Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines), Florentino Lavarias,Teodoro Bacani (Bishop-Emeritus of Novaliches), former bishopsHonesto Ongtioco andSocrates Villegas, and current Rufino Sescon. It was ended when Sescon closed the celebration on November 7 one day before the diocese's 50th canonical erection anniversary and separation of Bataan from San Fernando.
The miter symbolizes the pastoral authority of a bishop which he will be exercising the office of his position, represented by theBalanga Cathedral, within the diocese's jurisdiction which is the entire province of Bataan.
The coat of arms for the diocese's 50th anniversary also has a miter which symbolizes the bishop's pastoral authority which will be exercising within the province of Bataan and three-stemmed lilies which is the symbol ofSaint Joseph. It was used for 2 years from March 2023 during the last months ofRuperto Santos as fourth Bishop of Balanga until the celebrations closed by his successorRufino Sescon on November 7, 1975.
The three red crosses symbolizes theHoly Trinity (God the Father,Jesus Christ, and theHoly Spirit), four small crosses inside a circle symbolizing the four former bishops of the diocese (Bishops Celso Guevarra,Honesto Ongtioco,Socrates Villegas, and [Santos), seven red and blue lines signifies the 7 sacraments of the Catholic Church, symbols of Dominican and Augustinian orders at the left and right side of the miter indicating that they are the missionaries who went to the province in order to teach the faith, with Dominicans built the churches ofAbucay, Samal,Balanga,Orani, Pilar, Hermosa, andOrion, while the Augustinians built the Morong, Bagac, and Mariveles church. The number 50 and the years 1975 and 2025 represents the 50th anniversary of the diocese, with 1975 indicate the diocese's founding and 2025 for its 50th year. At the lower left is the letter "M" symbol (which is also used on the coat of arms of Bishop Ruperto Santos as Bishop of Balanga) symbolizingVirgin Mary serving as the diocese's and province's patroness under the name ofVirgen Milagrosa de Orani and showing the devotion of the Bataan people to her. At the right is the map of Bataan from which the diocese has jurisdiction and authority with. At the bottom is a golden banner which has the text "Magtipon (Gather), Maglakbay (Travel), at Maghasik (Sow)" which are the theme for its 50th anniversary. "The daughters of kings, women of honor, are maidens in your courts. And standing beside you, glistening in your pure and golden glory, is the beautiful bride-to-be!" comes from Psalms 45, the word of God which is a guide for the celebration of 50 years of the diocese.[2]
The Diocese of Balanga has 11 schools as of 2017, with 10 are operated by the diocese's Diocesan Schools of Bataan Educational Foundation, Inc. (DSOBEFI) under its superintendent Fr. Edgardo Sigua and assistant Fr. Alwin B. Bobis since June 2024.
Since the tenure ofSocrates Villegas (now Archbishop ofLingayen-Dagupan) as the diocese's third bishop in 2004, the annual celebration Mt. Samat Pilgrimage, held on November or December of the year, is done consecutively every before first Sunday of Advent except 2010, the first under BishopRuperto Santos as fourth bishop, and 2024 where the former held on December 11 and the pilgrimage was not celebrated due to having no Bishop of Balanga yet and available person to preside the celebration on that year for the latter. It is basically the diocese's counterpart to theHoly See'sWorld Youth Day andWorld Meeting of Families that began byPope John Paul II who appointed Villegas with the latter implemented the pilgrimage after having a background for being the CEO of the former in1995 and latter in 2003 where the youth attend the event for religious purposes locally. Also, Villegas presided the pilgrimage on 2009 and 2023 even after he already stepped down as Bishop of Balanga on November 4, 2009.
It has the theme song titled "Bataan: Bayani at Banal" written by Villegas and music byRyan Cayabyab which is also the anthem of the diocese since then. It involves pilgrims climbing from the foot ofMount Samat to theshrine where a Mass is held and fireworks display at night.
| Bishops and Apostolic Administrators | Number of pilgrimages attended, years, and dates |
|---|---|
| Socrates Villegas | 7 (2004 (November 27), 2005 (November 26), 2006 (December 2), 2007 (December 1), 2008 (November 30), 2009 (November 28), 2023 (December 2) |
| Ruperto Santos | 13 (2010 (December 11), 2011 (November 26), 2012 (December 1), 2013 (November 30), 2014 (November 29), 2015 (November 28), 2016 (November 26), 2017 (December 2), 2018 (December 1), 2019 (November 30), 2020 (November 29), 2021 (November 28), 2022 (November 27) |
| Florentino Lavarias | 1 (2023 (December 2) |
| Rufino Sescon | 1 (2025 (November 29)) |
For sede vacante diocesan at the next table and apostolic administrators or temporary bishops, end date calculation is included if started at the date of a current bishop stepping down to indicate transition from one bishop to another and between bishops in office for the former and latter, respectively, while those started few days after a bishop steps down do not apply the said calculation.
| No. | Portrait | Name and Notes | Coat of Arms | Period in Position | Duration | Popes/Popes-Emeritus until Funeral during Position Tenure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishops of Balanga (November 8, 1975–present) | |||||||
| 1 |  | Celso Nogoy Guevarra 1923–2002 (52 / 75) (Capas,Tarlac) (Longest-serving bishop) | .svg) | November 8, 1975–June 18, 1998 | 22 years, 7 months, 4 days (8,258 days) | Paul VI(November 8, 1975–August 6, 1978) John Paul I(August 26–September 28, 1978) John Paul II(October 16, 1978–June 18, 1998) | |
| 2 |  | Honesto Flores "Ness" Ongtioco 1948– (49 / 54) (San Fernando, Pampanga) (BecameBishop of Cubao) |  | June 18, 1998–August 28, 2003 | 5 years, 2 months, 10 days (1,897 days) | John Paul II | |
| 3 |  | Socrates Buenaventura "Soc" Villegas 1960– (43 / 49) (Pateros,Rizal) (Installed intooffice on July 3, 2004, youngest to take the overall position upon appointment and office at the installation and leave both, becameArchbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan) |  | May 3, 2004–November 4, 2009 | 5 years, 6 months, 1 day (2,011 days) | John Paul II(May 3, 2004–April 2, 2005) Benedict XVI(April 19, 2005–November 4, 2009) | |
| 4 |  | Ruperto Cruz "Stude" Santos 1957– (52 / 65) (San Rafael,Bulacan) (First bishop in the Philippines to start episcopate in the 2010s decade upon appointment to the position on April 1, 2010, installed into office on July 8, 2010, longest-living serving bishop and second overall since October 2015, becameparish administrator ofMariveles Church from June 5, 2020 to June 4, 2023, elevated more churches into higher status, becameBishop of Antipolo) |  | April 1, 2010–July 22, 2023 | 13 years, 3 months, 21 days (4,860 days) | Benedict XVI(April 1, 2010–January 5, 2023) Francis(March 13, 2013–July 22, 2023) | |
| 5 |  | Rufino Coronel "Jun" Sescon Jr. 1972– (52 / ) (Manila) (Current bishop) |  | March 1, 2025–present | Francis(March 1–April 21, 2025) Leo XIV(May 8, 2025–present) | ||
| Sede Vacante Apostolic Administrators/Temporary Bishops of Balanga (July 22, 2023–present) | |||||||
| 1 |  | Florentino Galang "Dong" Lavarias 1957– (66 / 67) (Mabalacat,Pampanga) (Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga since October 27, 2014, first diocese's temporary bishop as sede vacante apostolic administrator and archdiocese's archbishop to serve post-November 8, 1975 canonical erection of the former, oversaw preparations ofBalanga Cathedral for becoming Bishop of Balanga ofRufino Sescon, Jr. from February to March 1, 2025) |  | July 22, 2023–March 1, 2025 | 1 year, 7 months, 8 days (589 days) | Francis | |
| Incumbent | Tenure | Duration | Last Bishop in Office | Next Bishop in Office | Balanga Cathedral Preparation for Installation of an Already Appointed Bishop to the Overall Position into Office (bishop coat of arms placed at the cathedral floor andcathedra) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocesan Administrators (August 28, 2003–present) | ||||||
| Antonio "Tony" S. Dumaual † (died July 21, 2023 and funeral July 31, 2023) | August 28, 2003–July 3, 2004 | 10 months, 6 days(311 days) | Honesto Ongtioco | Socrates Villegas | June–July 3, 2004 | |
| Victor "Vic" dela Cruz Ocampo †(died March 16, 2023 and funeral March 27, 2023) | November 5, 2009–July 8, 2010 | 8 months, 3 days(245 days) | N/A(administrator appointed after Socrates Villegas stepped down as third Bishop of Balanga on November 5, 2009) | Ruperto Santos | July 5–8, 2010 | |
Media related toRoman Catholic Diocese of Balanga at Wikimedia CommonsDioecesis Balangensis | |||||||||
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14°40′45″N120°32′24″E / 14.6792°N 120.5400°E /14.6792; 120.5400
