Country Philippines Founded 1578 (1578) Dedication Anthony of Padua | Denomination Roman Catholic Bishop(s) Rev. Jose Bantolo, DD | |
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Location Quezon St., Masbate City, Masbate Province 5400 Pastor(s) Rev. Ismael "Maeng" B. Misolas, PC (cathedral rector) Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate Province Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres Similar Buntod Reef Marine S, Bituon Beach Resorts, Mount Apo | ||
Masbate Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral-Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua, is a Roman Catholic church located on Quezon Street in Masbate City, Masbate Province, the Philippines. It is the cathedral or seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate.
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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 1578 by Spanish Missionaries. The present rector of the cathedral is Rev. Ismael B. Misolas.
History
It was founded in 1578 by Spanish Missionaries.
In 1951, the parish became a part of the newly erected Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon, of which 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, 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.
Ecclesiastical Territory
St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral-Parish is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Masbate, canonically erected on September 23, 1968.
Pastors
Below is the recent list of parish priests / cathedral rectors.