Roman Catholic Diocese of Imus

Diocese of Imus
Dioecesis Imusensis
Diyosesis ng Imus

Official seal
Location
Country  Philippines
Territory Cavite
Ecclesiastical province Manila
Metropolitan Manila
Statistics
Area 1,427.06 km2 (550.99 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		 (as of 2011)
3,306,000+
2,512,560+ (76%)
Parishes 78
Churches 100+
Congregations 150+
Schools 43
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Sui iuris church Latin Church
Rite Roman Rite
Established November 25, 1961
Cathedral Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar (Imus Cathedral)
Secular priests 189+
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista
Metropolitan Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle
Vicar General George A. Morales
Emeritus Bishops Manuel C. Sobreviñas
Bishop Emeritus (1993-2001)
Map

Map of the province of Cavite, which forms the entire jurisdiction of the Diocese of Imus
Website
http://www.imusdiocese.weebly.com/

The Diocese of Imus (Latin:Dioecesis Imusensis) comprises the entire province of Cavite. The diocese was established and canonically erected as a separate diocese from the Archdiocese of Manila on November 25, 1961.[1] The diocesan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, better known as the Imus Cathedral, located along Gen. Castañeda St. in the poblacion of the City of Imus, serves as the seat of the diocese. It is one of the 12 cathedrals founded by the Order of Augustinian Recollects in the Philippines.

The diocese is home to around 2,210,000 Roman Catholics dispersed across two episcopal districts, 11 vicariates, 57 parishes, 4 quasi-parishes, 8 pastoral centers, a catholic community, a national shrine (Our Lady of La Salette), and 2 diocesan shrine. There are a total of 184 priests in the diocese, 95 of which are diocesan and 89 are religious.

In 2011, the Diocese of Imus celebrated its Golden Jubilee since its establishment as a diocese in 1961. Activities were held within the diocese to mark the momentous event. Prior to the occasion, the celebration of the 5th Asian Youth Day in 2009 was also held in the diocese.

The diocese is under the patronage of the Our Lady of the Pillar, whose feast day is celebrated on October 12 of every year. The image of Our Lady was canonically crowned by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle in a solemn ceremony held in 2012.

History

Through the zeal of the first missionaries of spreading the Catholic faith, they also helped in founding most of the towns of Cavite province. Among the religious orders that Christianized the Caviteños were the Franciscans, the Recollects, the Dominicans and the Jesuits. They established their first center of faith in Cavite Puerto (now Cavite City). The Catholic faith first came to Imus in 1571, then in Silang in 1581, in Cavite Viejo (now Kawit) in 1587, in Maragondon in 1611, Indang in 1655, Ternate in 1700 and in San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) in 1758. As early as 1614, Cavite became a politico-military province.[2]

The province of Cavite is rich with historical significance. It had been the site of many battles and uprisings against Spain, one of which was that of 1872, which resulted in the execution of three priests: Gomez, Burgos and Zamora (Gomburza). Cavite is also where General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippine Independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898, in the town of Kawit.[2]

The province is named after its shape, that of a hook – hence Kawit, meaning hook, in Tagalog. It is geographically situated at the very entrance to Manila Bay, a location which has made it, along with Bataan on the north, the scene of many battles in the past. It is bounded on the northwest by the Bay, on the northeast by the provinces of Rizal and Laguna, on the southwest by the province of Batangas. Its capital city is Imus, with the seat of the provincial government located in Trece Martires City.[2]

Early in the American regime, a U.S. naval garrison was stationed at Sangley Point in Cavite City after a civil government was established in 1901. Because of mutual defense agreements, this base remained in Cavite long after the country was granted its independence in 1946.[2]

The topography of the province is gentle upward sloping towards the south, peaking in Tagaytay Ridge and Mts. Palay-Palay - Mataas-na-Gulod Range, at the border with Batangas province. Areas near the coast are flat where rice is an important crop. Fishing is another major industry in the coastal towns. The language spoken is Tagalog, which is the basis for Filipino, the national language of the country. More than 60 per cent of the inhabitants live in urbanized areas because of its proximity to Manila. Today, Cavite is witnessing a more radical urbanization as factories, subdivisions, golf courses, resorts and an Export Processing Zone (EPZA) have sprung up in the province. Tagaytay City, with its cool climate and a scenic view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, draws many tourists each year.[2]

The Diocese of Imus was created on November 12, 1961. It comprises the civil province of Cavite and covers a land area of 1,287 km2 (497 sq mi), with a population of 1,643,549 of which 76 per cent are Catholics. Its titular patroness is Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Manila.[2]

There are two episcopal districts in the diocese, with 11 vicariates, 57 parishes, 4 quasi-parishes, 8 pastoral centers, a catholic community, a national shrine (Our Lady of La Salette), and 2 diocesan shrine served by a total of 180 priests. Among the religious organizations are the Legion of Mary, Catholic Women's League, Adoracion Nocturna, El Shaddai, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Youth Movement and Couples for Christ.[2]

On April 8, 2013, Reynaldo Gonda Evangelista was appointed by Pope Francis as the fifth bishop of Imus.[3] He is the first appointee of Pope Francis on the Catholic hierarchy of the Philippines.[4] He was installed last June 5, 2013.

Ordinaries

The list of the assigned bishops of the diocese since its establishment are as follows:[1]

Coat of Arms Picture Name From Until No.
Artemio G. Casas December 11, 1961 September 4, 1968 1
Felix P. Perez February 25, 1969 February 29, 1992 2
Manuel C. Sobreviñas February 25, 1993 October 22, 2001 3
Luis Antonio G. Tagle October 22, 2001 October 13, 2011 4
Reynaldo G. Evangelista, O.F.S. June 5, 2013 Incumbent 5

Diocese of Imus - Jurisdiction

Our Lady of the Pillar Cathedral in Imus, the seat of the diocese

Province of Cavite
Vicar General: Rev. Msgr. George Morales

Episcopal District of St. Matthew - North Cavite

Episcopal Vicar: Rev. Fr. Reuel Castañeda

Vicariate of St. Michael, the Archangel (City of Bacoor)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Oliver Genuino

Vicariate of Sto. Nino (City of Bacoor)

Vicar Forane: (R. I. P.) Rev Fr. Nonilon Tibayan

Vicariate of Our Lady of the Pillar (City of Imus)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Melencio Sandoval

Episcopal District of St. John - North-West Cavite

Episcopal Vicar: Rev. Fr. Leoben Peregrino

Vicariate of St. Mary Magdalene (Kawit, Cavite City, and Noveleta)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Calixto Lumandas

Vicariate of The Holy Cross (Tanza and Rosario)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Virgilio Mendoza

Vicariate of Our Lady Of Assumption (Naic, Magallanes, Maragondon, and Ternate)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Mario De Leon

Episcopal District of St. Luke - East Cavite

Episcopal Vicar: Rev. Fr. Agustin Baas

Vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi (General Trias and Trece Martires City)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Inocencio Poblete Jr.

Vicariate of Immaculate Conception (City of Dasmariñas)

Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Manuelito Villas

Vicariate of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (City of Dasmariñas)

Vicar Forane: Rev. Fr. Percival Sapin

Episcopal District of St. Mark - South Cavite

Episcopal Vicar: Rev. Fr. Conrad Amon

Vicariate of Our Lady of Candelaria (Silang, Carmona, and General Mariano Alvarez)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Marino Limbag

Vicariate of The Seven Archangels (Tagaytay City, Mendez, Indang, Amadeo, Alfonso, and General Aguinaldo)

Vicar Forane: Rev Fr. Allan Valero

Seminaries

Diocesan Seminaries

Seminaries run by Religious Congregation

Religious Congregations and Organizations

Religious Men

Religious Women

  • Augustinian Recollect (AR)
  • Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus and Mary (ASSJM)
  • Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (OSA)
  • Canossian Daughters of Charity (FdCC)
  • Carmelite Sisters of Charity - Vedruna (CCV)
  • Catechist Sisters of the Sacred Hearts (CSSH)
  • Compassionist Sisters-Servants of Mary (CSSM)
  • Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (Contemplatives) (CGS)
  • Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret (MC)
  • Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist (CSSJB)
  • Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette (SNDS)
  • Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Visitation (SSV)
  • Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (DC)
  • Daughters of St. Dominic (OPDSD)
  • Daughters of St. Francis de Sales (DSFS)
  • Daughters of St. Joseph of Caburlotto (DSJC)
  • Daughters of the Immaculate Conception of Charity (DICC)
  • Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary (OP)
  • Franciscan Immaculatine Sisters (FIS)
  • Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM)
  • Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi (SFMA)
  • Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Infant Jesus (FMIJ)
  • Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate (FI)
  • Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts (SFSC)
  • Fraternidad Misionera Verbum Dei (FMVD)
  • Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy (HSM)
  • Immaculate Sisters of St. Clare (CSCS)
  • Institute of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Ragusa (SrSC)
  • Merciful Sisters (MS)
  • Missionaries of Charity (MC)
  • Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing (OSB)
  • Missionary Catechists of the Sacred Heart (MCSH)
  • Missionary Daughters of St. Jerome Emiliani (MS)
  • Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CM)
  • Missionary Sisters-Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS)
  • Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer (OSSR)
  • Oblation Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (OSBS)
  • Order of the Most Holy Saviour of St. Bridget (OSSS)
  • Order of the Visitation Sisters of St. Mary (Contemplative) OVSM
  • Parochial Handmaids of the Holy Spirit (PHHS)
  • Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM)
  • Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS)
  • Religious Missionaries of St. Dominic (OP)
  • Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)
  • Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart (RSC)
  • Siervas de San Jose (SSJ)
  • Sister Handmaids of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (SMC)
  • Sisters Oblates of the Holy Spirit (OSS)
  • Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Good & Perpetual Succour (BPS)
  • Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo (CB)
  • Sisters of Jesus Good Shepherd (SJBP)
  • Sisters of the Divine Savior (SDS)
  • Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres (SPC)
  • Sisters of the Angels (SdA)
  • Sisters of the Holy Family (SSF)
  • Sisters-Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAP)
  • Sisters of Social Service (SSS)
  • Sisters of the Presentation of Mary Most Holy in the Temple
  • The Sisters of Mary of Banneux) SMB)
  • Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Agonizing (ANJ)
  • Veroniche Sisters of the Holy Face (VSHF)
  • Workers of Christ the Worker (WCW)

Religious Organization

Apostolates and Ministries

Apostolado sa Larangan ng Pagkilala sa Diyos (Apostolate on the Field of Recognizing God)

Apostolado sa Larangan ng Pangangalaga sa Tao (Apostolate on the Field of Care to Man)

Apostolado sa Larangan ng Pagtataguyod sa Buhay (Apostolate on the Field of Advocacy on Life)

Apostolado sa Larangan ng Pamamahala sa Kalikasan (Apostolate on the Field of the Administration of the Environment)

Apostolado sa Larangan ng Kaayusan (Apostolate on the Field of Orderliness)

Golden Jubilee celebration

In 2011, the diocese celebrated its Golden Jubilee since its separation from the Archdiocese of Manila. The festivities centered on the theme "Tena't Mag-KA-RA-KOL" (Let's do the karakol), a pray-dance procession performed in fiestas in Cavite. The karakol spelled as KA-RA-KOL, is an acronym with "KA" for "KAhapong kay yaman" - an introspective look into the glorious history of the diocese; "RA" for "RAdikal na pagsunod kay Kristo," a call for reconciliation and conversion into the fullness of God's love by following the example of Jesus Christ; and "KOL" for "KOLektibong pagkilos," which envisioned a collective effort on the part of all Catholic faithful in the province to fulfill its mission of spreading God's word.

Prior to the jubilee year, a three-year preparation for the celebration (from 2009 to 2011) was led by then Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle, who was later appointed as the Archbishop of Manila. He led the opening of the jubilee year with a mass held at the Imus Cathedral on the midnight of the foundation day of the diocese, November 25, 2011. Among the highlights of the event was the opening of the cathedral's Jubilee Door, where all the Catholic faithful who passed through the door would be granted plenary indulgences. The Grand Diocesan Procession was also celebrated on the jubilee year on October 16, 2012, also the celebration of the anniversary of the Cathedral dedication, where the patron and patroness of every parish joined the said procession. It was presided by Rev. Bishop Pedro Arigo.

On November 26, 2012, the Imus Cathedral celebrated the closing of Jubilee Door, which was presided by Archbishop Rolando Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres with his co-presiders, Rev. Pedro Arigo, Vicar of Puerto Princesa and Rev. Teodoro Buhain, Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Manila, all of those who presided are natives of Cavite. The solemn Canonical Coronation of the image of Our Lady of the Pillar of Imus, Patroness of the Diocese concluded the celebration of the Golden Jubilee. The Marian image was crowned by Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on December 3, 2012.

References

  1. 1 2 "Diocese of Imus". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Diocese of Imus". CBCP (Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines) Online. Retrieved on 2013-05-10.
  3. ↑ "Other Pontifical Acts - Monday, April 8, 2013". Vatican Information Service. Retrieved on 2013-05-10.
  4. ↑ . GMA News Online. Retrieved 2013-04-08

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