| Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish | |
| Location | Quezon St., Masbate City, Masbate 5400 |
|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1578 |
| Dedication | Saint Anthony of Padua |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate |
| Province | Archdiocese of Caceres |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Rev. Msgr. Claro V. Caluya III (diocesan administrator) |
| Pastor(s) | Rev. Msgr. Ismael "Maeng" B. Misolas, PC (cathedral rector) |
Masbate Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral-Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua, is a Roman Catholic church located at Quezon Street, Masbate City, Masbate in the Philippines. It is the cathedral or seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate. It belongs to the Vicariate of St. Anthony of Padua, which includes also Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Malinta, Masbate City and St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish in Mobo. It was founded in the year 1578 by Spanish Missionaries. The present rector of the cathedral is Very Rev. Msgr. Ismael B. Misolas.
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It was founded in the year 1578 by Spanish Missionaries. In 1951, the parish became a part of the newly erected Diocese of Sorsogon, of which Most Rev. Teopisto Alberto was its first Bishop. Then parish priest Msgr. Arnulfo Arcilla (later made bishop of Sorsogon) laid down the foundation of the first structures of the cathedral-parish in 1954. On March 23, 1968, the civil province of Masbate was declared an independent diocese from Sorsogon, and St. Anthony of Padua Parish was made the cathedral or seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate. A major repair on the building was done during the administration of the first Bishop of Masbate, Most Rev. Porfirio R. Iligan. Expansions and other improvements followed later under the supervision of its succeeding cathedral rectors.
The present Cathedral is almost a re-construction, and no mere renovation of the old one. Its center floor and isle was of course preserved as well as some vestiges of the cross-shaped part of the ceiling. Msgr. Joel Z. Baylon, the second successor to Episcopacy in the Diocese of Masbate, initiated this venture and was supported by Msgr. Quintin Feraren Jr., together with all the parish priests and faithful here and abroad. The Cathedral was blessed and dedicated on September 25, 2004.
Quezon St., Masbate City, Masbate 5400
St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral-Parish is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate, canonically erected on September 23, 1968.
Below is the recent list of parish priests / cathedral rectors.
| Name | Years of Pastorship | Present Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| Most Rev. Arnulfo Arcilla | ? to 1959 | deceased Bishop-emeritus of Sorsogon |
| Most Rev. Vicente Ataviado | 1959 to 1968 | deceased Bishop-emeritus of Maasin |
| Rev. Msgr. Ernesto Villaroya | ? to 1988 | in the United States |
| Rev. Msgr. Claro V. Caluya III | 1988 to 1999 | St. Anthony of Padua High School Seminary (Kinamaligan, Masbate City) |
| Rev. Msgr. Quintin Feraren Jr. | 1999 to 2004 | St. Nicholas of Tolentino Parish (Mobo, Masbate) |
| Rev. Msgr. Aquino T. Atendido | 2004 to 2009 | Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (Palanas, Masbate) |
| Rev. Msgr. Ismael B. Misolas | 2009–present |