Diocese of Malolos

The Diocese of Malolos (Latin: Dioecesis Malolosinae; Tagalog: Diyosesis ng Malolos; Spanish: Diócesis de Malolos) is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, encompassing the whole Province of Bulacan and Valenzuela City in metropolitan Manila and is a suffragan to the metropolitan Archdiocese of Manila. The mother church of the Diocese is the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception located in Malolos City, Bulacan. The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Immaculate Conception is the principal patroness of the diocese. It was excised from the Archdiocese of Manila on December 11, 1961, by Pope John XXIII and was officially established on March 11, 1962, upon the installation of Manuel P. del Rosario, then-Bishop of Calbayog, by Salvatore Siino, the papal nuncio, as the first bishop of the diocese. Since August 21, 2019, the current and fifth Bishop of Malolos is Dennis C. Villarojo, who was appointed by Pope Francis on May 14, 2019. History Creation of a new diocese As the Church of Bulacan needed a diocese of its own, Pope John XXIII, on November 25, 1961, issued the Apostolic Constitution Christi fidelium, separating the Diocese of Malolos from the Archdiocese of Manila and establishing it as its suffragan. The present territory of the diocese is the civil province of Bulacan composed of the cities of Baliwag, Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte, and of the towns of Angat, Balagtas, Bocaue, Bulakan, Bustos, Calumpit, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Marilao, Norzagaray, Obando, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Maria and Valenzuela City, formerly known as Polo, was later separated from Bulacan to be a component city of Metro Manila. Doña Remedios Trinidad was then created as a town for the portion near the Sierra Madre mountains. For the new diocese, Manuel P. del Rosario, then Bishop of Calbayog in Samar was appointed as the first Bishop of Malolos. He was jubilantly welcomed by the newly gathered Bulakeño faithful that now formed the diocese. Governor Tomas Martin and the provincial government of Bulacan were present. Del Rosario's canonical installation was presided over by then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Salvatore Siino. During his tenure, he established the Immaculate Conception Seminary (Minor) in 1962 at the Bulacan church convent, and was later transferred to the current seminary complex in Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan. Religious and monastic orders were soon invited to form communities here as Bulacan became a known producer of priestly and religious vocations. During this time, the diocese had eight (8) vicariates: Valenzuela, Malolos, Hagonoy, Sta. Maria, Baliuag, Meycauayan, Plaridel and San Miguel. In 1966, Del Rosario received Bishop Leopoldo A. Arcaira (+1994) as his auxiliary bishop. In 1971, Bishop Ricardo J. Vidal (who became Archbishop of Lipa, then Cebu) was appointed as coadjutor bishop due to Del Rosario's ill health. The growth of the diocese As Vidal was assigned as the new Archbishop of Lipa, Malolos was given a young and energetic bishop from Cavite, Cirilo Reyes Almario, Jr., who was appointed Apostolic Administrator sede plena of Malolos and then became the second Bishop of Malolos. Several developments would in fact occur during Almario's term. One of his most known is the establishment of the diocese's own major seminary, the Immaculate Conception Major Seminary. The Institute of Formation was established in 1983 with Fernando G. Gutierrez as first rector. The college department followed the next year and its theologate in 1987. ICMAS, as it is called, is Almario's greatest legacy. Today the seminary houses future priests not only from Malolos but from neighboring dioceses as well. In 1987, Almario headed the diocese's Silver Jubilee in celebration of its 25 years as a local church. Special jubilees were held during the event such as Jubilee Days for Men, Women, Children, Priests, Religious and Seminarians. On March 11, the diocese celebrated its anniversary date with much joy and festivity. Donations for the poor were also held on the next day and preparations for the diocese's first synod was held. On the occasion of the diocese's 25th anniversary, the first synod was held in June to July 1987, with the theme, "Prepare for the Lord a Perfect People" (Lk. 1:17) that was prepared by all the faithful as means of receiving the reform of the Second Vatican Council. Almario divided the aspects of Christian life and formed the WESTY (Worship-Evangelization-Service-Temporalities-Youth) formation. During this time, the diocese was again divided, adding another vicariate: St. Martin of Tours (Bocaue). With Almario's resignation in 1995, then Manila Auxiliary Bishop Rolando Octavus Joven Tria Tirona was appointed as the third Bishop of Malolos. Despite his short tenure, much of his pastoral work in the Bulacan local church involved fulfilling most of the plans Almario left of, part of which is the elevation of the Malolos Cathedral into a minor basilica. During this time, the tenth vicariate of the diocese was formed, San Jose del Monte. In December 1999, at the inauguration of the Great Jubilee Year 2000, the Diocese of Malolos witnessed the elevation of its cathedral as minor basilica granted by Pope John Paul II together with the episcopal coronation of its patroness, La Virgen Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos. Together with the basilica at present, there are eight (8) more shrines in the diocese: the Parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City (1976); the National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne, Hagonoy, (1991); the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, Marilao; the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, San Rafael (2000); the Diocesan Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist & Grace, Sta. Maria (2006); the Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao, Obando (2007); the Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Poon ng Krus sa Wawa in Bocaue (2008) and the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. John the Baptist, Calumpit (2013). The Golden Jubilee 2012 In 2004, Jose Francisco Oliveros, then Bishop of Boac, replaced Bishop Tirona, who would later be assigned as Prelate of Infanta and then Archbishop of Caceres. Oliveros became Apostolic Administrator sede vacante before assuming office. It was in his term that the Diocese of Malolos prepared for its Golden Jubilee. During his time, the diocese was divided into four ecclesiastical districts (West, East, South and North). The diocese had five preparatory years dedicated to the priests, religious, laity and the youth of the Diocese. During the journey of the Diocese, the Jubilee Cross and the replica image of La Virgen Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos joined the community in its journey towards the different religious, social, cultural and beneficial gatherings held during the five-year preparation, which was a remarkable opportunity for people to renew their faith in the Lord. The diocese fulfilled four jubilee projects: the Jubilee Shelter Program in Plaridel, Bulacan under the Commission on Social Action, for those who need homes due to the devastation of Typhoon Ondoy; the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Malolos City under the Diocesan Curia; the Diocesan Formation Center in Guiguinto, Bulacan, under the Commission on Formation for different seminars and events of the Diocese and the Bahay Pastoral in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, a home for retired and sickly priests. Oliveros remained in office until 11 May 2018 when he was received into the hands of the Creator. He is the first Bishop of Malolos to die in office. The Diocese of Malolos then came into sede vacante. Pope Francis assigned the diocese temporarily to the current Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, Honesto F. Ongtioco, as the Apostolic Administrator of Malolos, from 11 May 2018 to 21 August 2019 upon the installation of the 5th and current bishop of Malolos, Dennis C. Villarojo. Present On May 14, 2019, Pope Francis appointed then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu and Titular Bishop of Gisipa, Dennis C. Villarojo, as the fifth Bishop of Malolos. Villarojo once served as personal secretary to the late Cardinal Ricardo Vidal who was former Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos. He was canonically installed at the Malolos Cathedral-Basilica on August 21, 2019, by then Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle and Apostolic Nuncio, Gabriele G. Caccia, marking a new chapter in the history of the Diocese of Malolos. In February 2020, Pope Francis granted the canonical coronation of the image of La Purisima Concepcion in Santa Maria, Bulacan and in September 2021, he also granted the diocese a new minor basilica, the Minor Basilica of La Purisima Concepcion, Santa Maria, where the image is enshrined. On March 11, 2022, the diocese celebrated its 60th anniversary with a Mass presided by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Charles John Brown Also in the ceremonies were the two surviving bishops of Malolos, Dennis Villarojo, and Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, and bishops who served or came from the diocese. On February 27 up to March 2, 2023, the diocese hosted the 29th Canon Law Society of the Philippines [CLSP] National Convention. On February 14, 2024, Luneta Morales, a choir member, 83 years old was killed due to chest injuries while 63 attendees suffered multiple injuries when the "Vicariate of Saint Joseph" Saint Peter the Apostle Church (San Jose del Monte, Bulacan) 30-year old balcony-gallery, weakened by infesting termites collapsed during an Ash Wednesday service past 7 a.m. Dennis Villarojo said "those affected and their families are being assisted by the Diocese of Malolos with then-parish priest Fr. Romulo Perez and then-parochial vicar Fr. Divino Cayanan. List of parishes and shrines VICARIATE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Immaculate Conception Parish-Cathedral and Minor Basilica - Malolos, Bulacan Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion - Camino Real St., San Jose, Bulakan, Bulacan Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish (Barasoain Church) - Paseo Del Congreso, San Gabriel, Malolos, Bulacan St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish - Bagong Bayan (Sta. Isabel), Malolos, Bulacan Parokya ng San Isidro Labrador - Bambang, Bulakan, Bulacan Stella Maris Mission-Parish - Pamarawan, Malolos, Bulacan St. Joseph the Worker Parish - Panasahan, Malolos, Bulacan Parish of the Holy Spirit - Malolos Heights, Bulihan, Malolos, Bulacan Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish - San Felipe Subdivision, Mojon, Malolos, Bulacan Parish of Santisima Trinidad - Santisima Trinidad, Malolos, Bulacan Our Lady of the Lord's Presentation Parish - Maunlad Homes, Mojon, Malolos, Bulacan San Isidro Labrador Parish - Bantayan 1st., Bulihan, Malolos, Bulacan VICARIATE OF ST. ANNE National Shrine and Parish of St. Anne - Hagonoy, Bulacan Parokya ng Santiago Apostol - Poblacion, Paombong, Bulacan Parokya ni San Antonio de Padua - Iba, Hagonoy, 3002 Bulacan Parish of St. Helena the Empress - Sta. Elena, Hagonoy, Bulacan Parokya ng San Juan Bautista - San Juan, Hagonoy, Bulacan Parokya ng San Jose, Manggagawa - San Jose, Calumpit, Bulacan Parokya ng Nuestra Señora Del Santisimo Rosario - Sto. Rosario, Hagonoy, Bulacan Sta. Cruz Mission-Parish - Sta. Cruz, Paombong, Bulacan Parokya ng Ina ng Laging Saklolo - San Pedro, Hagonoy, Bulacan VICARIATE OF ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE St. James the Apostle Parish - Poblacion, Plaridel, Bulacan Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. John The Baptist - Poblacion, Calumpit, Bulacan St. Ildephonse of Toledo Parish - Poblacion, Guiguinto, Bulacan Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Isidro Labrador - Poblacion, Pulilan, Bulacan St. Michael the Archangel Parish - Dampol, Plaridel, Bulacan Parokya ng San Marcos Ebanghelista - San Marcos, Calumpit, Bulacan Pandiyosesis na Dambana at Parokya ni Sta. Rita de Cascia - Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan Nuestra Señora del Rosario Parish - Tiaong-Pulong Gubat (Bacood), Guiguinto, Bulacan Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish - Esguerra St., Peñabatan, Pulilan, Bulacan Parokya ng Banal na Mag-Anak - Violeta Village, Sta. Cruz, Guiguinto, Bulacan Parokya ng mga Banal Na Anghel - San Jose, Plaridel, Bulacan Sto. Niño Parish - Sto. Niño, Calumpit, Bulacan Quasi-Parish of St. John Mary Vianney - C. Mercado St., Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan VICARIATE OF ST. AUGUSTINE Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Augustine - Poblacion, Baliwag, Bulacan Sta. Monica Parish - Angat, Bulacan Parokya ng San Juan de Dios - Poblacion, San Rafael, Bulacan Sto. Niño Parish - C.L. Hilario Highway, Poblacion, Bustos, Bulacan St. Paul the Apostle Parish - F. Illescas St., Niugan, Angat, Bulacan Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary - Makinabang, Baliwag, Bulacan San Isidro Labrador Parish - Liciada, Bustos, Bulacan Sagrada Familia Parish - B.S. Aquino Ave., Tangos, Baliwag, Bulacan Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Rio Vista Subdivision, Sabang, Baliwag, Bulacan Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Parish - Pulong Sampaloc, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan Sto. Cristo Parish - Caingin, San Rafael, Bulacan Nuestra Señora de las Flores Parish - Virgen Delas Flores, Baliwag, Bulacan Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish - Binagbag, Angat, Bulacan Parokya ng Pag-akyat sa Langit ni Hesukristo - Sto. Cristo, Pulilan, Bulacan Parokya ng Inmaculada Concepcion - Vergel de Dios St. Cor P. Guzman St., Concepcion, Baliwag, Bulacan Immaculate Conception Quasi-Parish - Marungko, Angat, Bulacan VICARIATE OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Miguel Arcangel - Poblacion, San Miguel, Bulacan Parokya ng San Ildefonso de Toledo - Poblacion, San Ildefonso, Bulacan Pandiyosesis na Dambana at Parokya ng Sagrado Corazon de Jesus - Cruz na Daan, San Rafael, Bulacan Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Parish - Sibul Springs, San Miguel, Bulacan Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Salacot, San Miguel, Bulacan Parokya ng Kamahalmahalang Puso ni Jesus - Pinaod, San Ildefonso, Bulacan Parokya ng San Jose, Esposo de Maria - San Jose, San Miguel, Bulacan Parokya ng Mahal na Birhen ng Sto. Rosario - Malipampang, San Ildefonso, Bulacan Parish of the Most Holy Eucharist - Gabihan, San Ildefonso, Bulacan Kalawakan Catholic Mission - Kalawakan, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan VICARIATE OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS St. Martin of Tours Parish and Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Poon ng Krus sa Wawa - Poblacion, Bocaue, Bulacan Parokya ni San Lorenzo, Diyakono at Martir - Longos, Balagtas, Bulacan Parokya ng San Miguel Arkanghel - Poblacion, Marilao, Bulacan Nuestro Señor Jesucristo Parish and Diocesan Shrine of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon - Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan Parokya ng San Pedro de Alcantara - Taal, Bocaue, Bulacan Parokya ng Mahal na Birhen ng Fatima - Meralco Village, Lias, Marilao, Bulacan Parokya ni San Pedro Apostol - Borol 2nd, Balagtas, Bulacan National Shrine and Parish of the Divine Mercy - Sta. Rosa I, Marilao, Bulacan Parokya ni San Jose Manggagawa - Panginay, Balagtas, Bulacan Mother of Mercy Quasi-Parish - Loma De Gato, Marilao, Bulacan VICARIATE OF SAINT JOSEPH Saint Joseph the Worker Parish - Poblacion I, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish - Minuyan IV, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Saint Peter the Apostle Parish - Tungkong Mangga, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish - Francisco Homes Narra, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan San Isidro Labrador Parish - Muzon, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Parokya ng San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila - Pleasant Hill Subdivision, San Manuel, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Christ the King Parish - San Rafael III (Area H), San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Sagrada Familia Parish - Sta. Cruz I (Area D), San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish - Deca Homes, Loma de Gato, Marilao, Bulacan Virgen de las Flores Parish - Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan Sto. Cristo Quasi-Parish - Sto. Cristo, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Quasi-Parish of Our Lady of La Salette - Mt. View Subd., Muzon, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Quasi-Parish of Our Lady of Assumption - EVR Ave., Assumption, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Mother of Perpetual Help Quasi-Parish - Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan VICARIATE OF LA PURISIMA CONCEPCION Minor Basilica and Parish of La Purisima Concepcion - Poblacion, Santa Maria, Bulacan Parokya ni San Andres Apostol - Poblacion, Norzagaray, Bulacan Immaculate Conception Parish - Poblacion, Pandi, Bulacan Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish - Pulong Buhangin, Santa Maria, Bulacan Parokya ni Sto. Niño - Parada, Santa Maria, Bulacan Parokya ng Sto. Cristo - Siling Bata, Pandi, Bulacan Parokya ni San Gabriel Arkanghel - San Gabriel, Santa Maria, Bulacan Blessed Sacrament Parish - Cay Pombo, Santa Maria, Bulacan Holy Family Parish - Catmon, Santa Maria, Bulacan Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista - Bagbaguin, Santa Maria, Bulacan Parish and Diocesan Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and Grace - San Vicente, Santa Maria, Bulacan San Isidro Labrador Parish - Partida, Pulong Buhangin, Santa Maria, Bulacan Quasi-Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua - Manatal, Pandi, Bulacan VICARIATE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi - Poblacion, Meycauayan, Bulacan San Pascual Baylon Parish and National Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao - Pag-asa, Obando, Bulacan Parokya ng Sta. Cruz - Paco, Obando, Bulacan Parokya ni San Isidro Labrador - Malhacan, Meycauayan, Bulacan Nuestra Señora de Salambao Mission-Parish - Binuangan, Obando, Bulacan Parokya ng Santo Niño - Sto. Niño Village, Camalig, Meycauayan, Bulacan St. Joseph the Worker Parish - Topaz Drive, St. Francis Village, Pandayan, Meycauayan, Bulacan Our Lady of Fatima Parish - Heritage Homes, Loma de Gato, Marilao, Bulacan Parokya ng Muling Pagkabuhay - Lawa, Meycauayan, Bulacan Parokya ng San Bartolome, Apostol - Tugatog, Meycauayan, Bulacan Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Quasi-Parish - Genesis St., Metrogate Complex, Pandayan, Meycauayan, Bulacan VICARIATE OF SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA Parokya ni San Diego de Alcala - Polo, Valenzuela City Parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima - Fatima Avenue, Marulas, Valenzuela City Parokya ni San Isidro Labrador - Km. 14 MacArthur Hiway, Malinta, Valenzuela City Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish - G. Marcelo St., Maysan, Valenzuela City Sto. Cristo Parish - 102 Kasaganahan St., Marulas, Valenzuela City Parish of the Holy Cross - Gen. T. de Leon, Valenzuela City Parish of the Risen Lord - 222 T. Santiago St., Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City Hearts of Jesus and Mary Parish - I. Fernando St., Malanday, Valenzuela City Parokya ni San Juan de la Cruz - F. Bautista St., Ugong, Valenzuela City Parokya ng Banal na Mag-Anak - A. Pablo St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Saint Joseph the Worker Parish - San Baraquiel St., Punturin, Valenzuela City Our Lady of Lourdes Quasi-Parish - 0914 Gitnang St., Bignay, Valenzuela City Ordinaries Bishops Coadjutor Bishops The Diocese of Malolos received two coadjutor bishops in its history with one of them being transitioning to the Archdiocese of Lipa and the other being appointed to the ordinary see of Malolos. Auxiliary Bishops The Diocese of Malolos had three auxiliary bishops in its history as a diocese. The most recent auxiliary bishop is Deogracias Iñiguez, the bishop-emeritus of the Diocese of Kalookan. Incardinated Priests of the diocese who became bishops Deogracias S. Iñiguez: 1985–1989, Auxiliary Bishop of Malolos, then Bishop of Iba, now Bishop-Emeritus of Caloocan Bartolome G. Santos: from Santa Maria, former Vicar-General, now fifth Bishop of Iba See also Catholic Church in the Philippines External links Dioecesis Malolosina Catholic-Hierarchy.org References