• Source: Roman Catholic 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 parish priest Fr. Romulo Perez and his parochial vicar Fr. Divino Cayanan.




List of parishes


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 - M. Sapa Road, 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 Quasi-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


The current Bishop of Malolos is Dennis C. Villarojo. He was appointed by Pope Francis on May 14, 2019, to succeed José F. Oliveros who died in office on May 11, 2018 due to cancer. He was installed as the fifth Bishop of Malolos on August 21, 2019, by Luis Antonio G. Tagle, then Archbishop of Manila as the metropolitan of the diocese, and Gabriele G. Caccia, then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. Prior to being installed as Bishop of Malolos, he was Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu from 2015 to 2019 and Titular Bishop of Gisipa.




Apostolic Administrators sede plena


Cirilo R. Almario Jr.†: 1973–1977, Coadjutor Bishop acting in capacity due to Bishop del Rosario's ill health, succeeded him in 1977 until 1996




Apostolic Administrators sede vacante


Jose F. Oliveros†: 2003–2004, then Bishop of Boac, appointed as fourth Bishop of Malolos until his death in 2018
Honesto F. Ongtioco: 2018–2019, Bishop of Cubao, appointed as the Diocese's Apostolic Administrator until the Installation of Dennis Villarojo in 2019.




Auxiliary and coadjutor bishops


Leopoldo A. Arcaira†: 1966–1988, Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus of Malolos
Ricardo J. Vidal†: 1971–1973, Coadjutor Bishop, later Archbishop of Lipa (1973-1981) and Cebu (1982-2010)
Cirilo R. Almario, Jr.†: 1973–1977, Coadjutor Bishop, succeeded Bishop del Rosario as second Bishop of Malolos
Leoncio L. Lat†: 1980–1985, Auxiliary Bishop, later Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus of Manila
Deogracias S. Iñiguez: 1985–1989, Auxiliary Bishop, later Bishop of Iba (1989-2003) and Bishop of Caloocan (2003-2013)




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

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Keuskupan Malolos
• Honesto Ongtioco
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos
• Malolos Cathedral
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Gumaca
• Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine, San Jose del Monte
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila
• Barasoain Church
• Malolos
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba
• National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
• List of Catholic dioceses (structured view)