The parish priests of the Diocese of Cebu (1880s) - Part 6
The Diocese of Cebu in the 1700s had jurisdiction over all the islands and provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao, even reaching to the Marianas Islands.
The parishes were administered by missionaries coming from the orders of the Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Recollects, and the secular clergy.
The list is taken from the book of Fr. Felipe Redondo in 1886:
Pablo Pastels, Jesuit, Caraga, Surigao.
It is under the patronage of the Holy Redeemer. Erected as a parish-mission by Diocesan decree of June 15, 1883, through Superior approval of May 21, 1883. It is under the Bislig Command. It was marked on the map as the dividing line of the 3rd District of Surigao of Mindanao, and the 4th District of Davao, belonging to the Diocese of Jaro.
Fr. Manuel Fernandez, Augustinian, Carcar, Cebu.
Created as a parish in 1599. Venerated is the patroness, St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr.
Toribio Padilla, Secular Clergy, Cebu City
Its parish priest more known as Padre Bio was ordained priest on September 22, 1855 by Bishop Romualdo Ximeno (Jimeno) and became parish priest of Cebu City in 1873. He became part of the uprising against Spain in the Battle of Tres de Abril (1898). Cebu City honors Fr. Padilla with a barangay and a street named after him. He is related to the revolutionary, Candido Padilla, who likewise has a street named in his honor in barangays Mambaling and San Nicolas.
In the book of Fr. Redondo, he mentions a Don Juan Roya y Herrera who became treasurer of the diocese, appointed on February 10, 1607 by Bishop Agurto. He also became the juez provisor governor and vicar general in spiritual and temporal matters of the Holy Cathedral Church of the City of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (the official title of Cebu City). Another Spaniard who became official of the Holy Cathedral (the church of Cebu City) was Canon Don Alonso de Campos who became its archdeacon. There was also Bachiller Don Juan de Urieta, who became cura beneficiado of the Cathedral on August 3, 1631. He was succeeded by Don Pedro Gomez Herbaute on May 8, 1533. Bachiller Don Juan de Contreras, Presbyter, became its priest. On May 20, 1645 Bishop Arce gave him possession of the district of Tanay (Tanjay) and exchanged with Bachiller Don Miguel de Trujillo as priest of the cathedral.
Fr. Manuel Arellano, Recollect, Compostela, Cebu
Erected as a parish by Diocesan decree on July 21, 1865. It is under the patronage of Santiago Apostol (Apostle St. James the Elder). Its mother parish is Danao.
Fr. Benito Pinilla, Recollect, Corella, Bohol
Erected as a parish on September 3, 1841 under the patronage of Our Lady of Villar. (To be continued)
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