View source for Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu

{{Short description|Catholic archdiocese in the Philippines}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox diocese
| jurisdiction      = Archdiocese
| border            = Catholic
| name              = Cebu
| latin             = Archidioecesis Nominis Iesu o Caebuana
| local             = {{Ubl
  | {{Lang|ceb|Arkidiyosesis sa Labing Balaan nga Ngalan ni Hesus sa Sugbo}}
  | {{Lang|tag| Arkidiyosesis ng Kabanal-banalang Pangalan ni Hesus sa Cebu}}
  | {{Lang|es|Arquidiócesis del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús de Cebú}}
  }}
| image             = Cathedral01.jpg
| image_size        = 250px
| caption           = [[Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral]]
| coat              = Coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Cebu (miter and shield only).svg
| coat_size         = 150px
| coat_alt          =
| coat_caption      = Coat of arms, 2022 design
| country           = {{flag|Philippines}}
| province          = Cebu <!-- DO NOT wikilink. Only applies to suffragan diocese pages. -->
| territory         = [[Cebu]]
| metropolitan      = Cebu <!-- DO NOT wikilink. Only applies to suffragan diocese pages. -->
| denomination      = [[Catholic]]
| coordinates       = {{coord|10.2958|N|123.9030|E|source:wikidata|display=inline,title}}
| area_km2          = 5,088
| population        = 5,310,651
| parishes          = {{Ubl
  | 164 parishes (including [[Parish (Catholic Church)#Formation|quasi-parishes]])
  | 2 [[mission station]]s
  | 5 non-parochial shrines
  | 1 [[minor basilica]]
  | 2 [[national shrine]]s
  }}
| churches          = <!-- Number of churches in the diocese -->
| congregations     = <!-- Number of congregations in the diocese -->
| schools           = <!-- Number of church supported schools in the diocese -->
| members           = <!-- Number of members in the diocese -->
| catholics         = 4,621,792<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/cebu0.htm?tab=info|title=Cebu (Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese)|publisher=gcatholic.org|access-date=2023-09-15}}</ref>
| population_as_of  = 2021
| catholics_percent = {{percentage|4,621,792<!-- catholics -->|5,310,651<!-- population -->|1|%=}}
| rite              = [[Roman Rite]]
| sui_iuris_church  = [[Latin Church]]
| established       = {{Ubl
  | {{start date and age|August 14, 1595}} (Diocese)
  | {{start date and age|April 28, 1934}} (Archdiocese)
  }}
| cathedral         = [[Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral|Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of St. Vitalis and of the Immaculate Conception]]
| cocathedral       =
| patron            = {{Ubl
  | [[Vitalis of Milan]]
  | [[Our Lady of Guadalupe|Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Cebú]]
  | [[Pedro Calungsod]]
  }}
| priests           = 362 <!-- Number of priests in the diocese -->
| bishop            =
| coadjutor         =
| pope              = {{Incumbent pope}} <!-- DO NOT CHANGE. This will update the Popes Automatically as they change -->
| metro_archbishop  = [[Jose Serofia Palma]]
| auxiliary_bishops = 
| suffragans        = {{unbulleted list|[[Julito Cortes]] ([[Diocese of Dumaguete|Dumaguete]])|[[Precioso Cantillas]] ([[Diocese of Maasin|Maasin]])|[[Alberto Uy]] ([[Diocese of Tagbilaran|Tagbilaran]])|[[Daniel Parcon]] ([[Diocese of Talibon|Talibon]])}}
| vicar_general     = Vicente Rey Penagunda
                      Rogelio Fuentes
| emeritus_bishops  = {{Ubl
  | [[Antonio R. Rañola]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cbcponline.net/most-rev-antonio-ranola/ |title=Most Rev. Antonia R. Rañola, D.D. |publisher=[[Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines]] |access-date=6 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
  | [[Emilio Bataclan]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2015/10/01/0746/01605.html |title=Rinunce e nomine |language=it |trans-title=Resignations and Appointments |date=1 October 2015 |publisher=[[Holy See Press Office]] |access-date=6 November 2022 |id=B0746}}</ref>
  }}
| map               = RC Archdiocese of Cebu.png
| map_alt           =
| map_caption       = Jurisdiction of the [[metropolitan see]] within the Philippines.
| website           = <!-- {{URL|archdioceseofcebu.ph}} -->
| footnotes         =
| flag              =
| headquarters      =
| founded           =
| dissolved         =
| language          =
}}

The '''Archdiocese of Cebu''' (more formally the '''Archdiocese of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in Cebu'''; {{Langx|la|Archidioecesis Nominis Iesu o Caebuana}}; {{Langx|fil| Arkidiyosesis ng Kabanal-banalang Pangalan ni Hesus sa Cebu}}; {{Langx|ceb|Arkidiyosesis sa Labing Balaan nga Ngalan ni Hesus sa Sugbo}}; {{Langx|es|Arquidiocesis del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de Cebu}}) is a [[Latin Church]] [[Diocese|archdiocese]] of the [[Catholic Church in the Philippines]] and one of the ecclesiastical provinces of the [[Catholic Church]] in the country. It is composed of the entire civil province of [[Cebu]] (and the nearby islands of [[Mactan]], [[Bantayan Island|Bantayan]], and [[Camotes]]).<ref name="Cebu"/><ref name="newadvent.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03471a.htm | title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Cebu }}</ref><ref>The Church of Cebu's Basilica del Santo Niño is named by the Vatican as "mother and head of all churches in the Philippines" (''mater et caput... omnium ecclesiarum Insularum Philippinarum''). See https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/la/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-vi_apl_19650401_ut-clarificetur.html.</ref><ref name="John Kingsley Pangan 2016">John Kingsley Pangan, ''Church of the Far East'' (Makati: St. Pauls, 2016),</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://iec2016.ph/about-us/cebu-philippines/ | title=Cebu & Philippines | date=July 2014 }}</ref> The jurisdiction, [[Cebu]], is considered as the fount of Christianity in the Far East.<ref name="sugbuswak">{{Cite news|title=Cebu archdiocese, biggest in PH, to be split into 3 |first=Ador Vincent |last=Mayol |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=January 25, 2023 |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1720684/cebu-archdiocese-biggest-in-ph-to-be-split-into-3 |access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref>

The seat of the archdiocese is the [[Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral|Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of St. Vitalis and of the Immaculate Conception]], more commonly known as the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. The archdiocese honors [[Our Lady of Guadalupe|Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebú]] as its patroness, [[Vitalis of Milan]] as its patron and titular saint, and [[Pedro Calungsod]] (the second Filipino saint) as its secondary patron saint. The archbishop is [[José Serofia Palma]], who was installed on January 13, 2011. As of 2013, the archdiocese registered a total of 4,609,590 baptized Catholics.<ref name="catholic-hierarchy.org">{{Cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcebu.html |title=Cebu (Archdiocese) |encyclopedia=[[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]] |publisher=David M. Cheney |date=17 March 2023}}</ref>

== Ecclesiastical province ==
The [[ecclesiastical province]] of Cebu comprises the metropolitan's own archbishopric and the following [[Suffragan diocese|suffragan see]]s:
* [[Diocese of Dumaguete]], in [[Negros Oriental]] (except [[Canlaon]], [[Guihulngan]], [[La Libertad, Negros Oriental|La Libertad]], and [[Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental|Vallehermoso]]) and [[Siquijor]]
* [[Diocese of Maasin]], in [[Southern Leyte]]
* [[Diocese of Tagbilaran]], in southwestern [[Bohol]]
* [[Diocese of Talibon]], in northeastern [[Bohol]]

== History ==
===Magellan's arrival and antecedents===
The history of the future Archdiocese of Cebu began with the arrival of [[Ferdinand Magellan]] in Cebu in 1521.<ref name="cebuarchdiocese.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.cebuarchdiocese.org/aboutus/history/ |title=History : The Official Website of Cebu Archdiocese |access-date=2010-07-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813112550/http://www.cebuarchdiocese.org/aboutus/history/ |archive-date=2010-08-13 }}</ref> The church anchored in that year<ref>Carmelo D. F. Morelos, "'Go… Make Disciples!' – A Pastoral Letter on the Fourth Centenary of the Archdioceses of Manila, Cebu, Cáceres, Nueva Segovia," Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, January 29, 1994, accessed September 6, 2014, http://cbcponline.net/v2/?p=8078</ref> by the native [[Cebuano people|Cebuanos]]' profession of faith in Christ,<ref>Antonio Pigafetta, ''Magellan's Voyage Around the World'', vol. 1, trans. James Alexander Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 159.</ref> baptism,<ref>Antonio Pigafetta, ''Magellan's Voyage Around the World'', vol. 1, trans. James Alexander Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 151–155.</ref> the daily celebration of the Mass,<ref>Antonio Pigafetta, ''Magellan's Voyage Around the World'', vol. 1, trans. James Alexander Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 157.</ref> and the chaplain of the expedition, Pedro Valderrama being the legitimate pastor for their spiritual needs.

In Cebu the first [[baptism]] was made (April 14, 1521); hence, [[Rajah Humabon]] and the rest of the natives became the very first [[Filipino peoples|Filipino]] [[Christians]]. In the island also was the first [[Mass (Roman Rite)|Mass]] in which Filipino converts participated. Also in the territory the first resistance against the [[Mohammedan]] advance from the south.<ref>Juan de Medina, OSA, "Historia de la Orden de San Agustin de estas Islas Filipinas," in The Philippine Islands 1493–1803, vol. 23, eds. Emma H. Blair, James A. Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1903), 185.</ref> The first Philippine Christian feast dedicated to the Sto. Niño was instituted and celebrated there. The first recorded confession and the last rites of an accused inhabitant transpired.<ref>Résumé of Documents, 153.</ref> The very first temples were erected (the [[Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral]] and [[Basilica del Santo Niño]]) in the Philippines.<ref>Astrid Sala-Boza, "The Contested Site of the Finding of the Holy Child: Villa San Miguel or San Nicolas (Cebu El Viejo)," Philippine Quarterly of Culture Society 34, (2006): 232. www.jstor.org/stable/29792595; ''The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803'', vol. 2, eds. Emma Helen Blair, James Alexander Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1903), 121.</ref> The first Christian [[marriage]] transpired with Isabel, the niece of Rajah Tupas and Andres, the Greek caulker of Legazpi, and their children baptized representing the first infant baptisms.<ref>Résumé of Documents, 140–141.</ref>

However, immediately after its inception during the aftermath of the [[Battle of Mactan]], the Church of Cebu experienced decadence due to lack of shepherds to enforce and edify the natives on the faith. Most of the natives materially apostatized, while others clung unto the image of the [[Santo Niño de Cebú|Santo Niño]] (the first Christian icon in the Philippines given as a baptismal gift by Magellan). The unintended negligence lasted for 44 years until it was re-established in 1565 by the arrival of [[Miguel López de Legazpi]] and Fray [[Andrés de Urdaneta]]. The remnant of the Cebuano Church in 1521, as evident in the person of [[Rajah Tupas]], was resuscitated by the [[Augustinians|Augustinian]]s as an [[Abbey nullius|abbey ''nullius'']] (an equivalent of a diocese)<ref>[http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/cebu0.htm gcatholic.org]</ref> when the formal evangelization of the Philippines commenced with Urdaneta as the first [[prelate]].<ref>The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803, vol. 2, eds. Emma Helen Blair, James Alexander Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1903), 33, note 5.</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Blair|editor1-first=Emma Helen|editor2-last=Robertson|editor2-first=James Alexander|title=The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803 vol. 2|url=https://archive.org/details/philippineisland02blai|date=1903|publisher=The Arthur H. Clark Company|location=Cleveland|page=[https://archive.org/details/philippineisland02blai/page/168 168]}}</ref><ref>Bartholomé de Letona, OSF, ''The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803'', vol. 36, eds. Emma Helen Blair, James Alexander Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 210.</ref> The oversight of the natives was then succeeded to Fray Diego de Herrera who would later re-baptized [[Rajah Tupas|Tupas]] and his servants in 1568. Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established his government in Cebu, thus the [[Capital of the Philippines|first capital of the Philippines]].

The church expanded from Cebu when the remaining missionaries led by Diego de Herrera were forced northwest temporarily due to conflict with the Portuguese and laid the foundations of the Christian community in [[Panay]] in around 1569.<ref name="Cebu">{{Cite web |title=Cebu—Cradle of the Philippine Church and Seat of Far-East Christianity |website=International Eucharistic Congress 2016 |date=September 16, 2014 |access-date=December 4, 2014 |url=http://iec2016.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Cebu%E2%80%94Cradle-of-the-Philippine-Church-and-Seat-of-Far-East-Christianity.pdf |first1=J.K. |last1=Pangan}}</ref><ref name="John Kingsley Pangan 2016"/> In 1570, the second batch of missionaries reached Cebu. The island became the ecclesiastical "seat" as it was the center for evangelization. A notable missionary was Alfonso Jimenez, who travelled and penetrated the Camarines region through the islands of [[Masbate]], [[Leyte]], [[Samar]], and [[Burias (island)|Burias]] and founded the church there. He was called the first apostle of the region.<ref name="Cebu"/><ref name="John Kingsley Pangan 2016"/>

By 1571, Herrera who was assigned as chaplain of Legazpi, from Panay advanced further north and founded the local church community in Manila. There, Legazpi transferred the seat of government though Cebu remained the spiritual capital of the country.<ref name="Cebu"/><ref name="John Kingsley Pangan 2016"/> In 1572, the Spaniards led by Juan de Salcedo marched from Manila further north with the second batch of Augustinian missionaries and pioneered the evangelization to the communities in the [[Ilocos]] (starting with [[Vigan]]) and the [[Cagayan]] regions.<ref name="Cebu"/><ref name="John Kingsley Pangan 2016"/>

=== Diocese of Cebu ===
On February 6, 1579, the Philippines' first diocese, the [[Archdiocese of Manila|Diocese of Manila]], was established as a [[suffragan diocese]] of the [[Archdiocese of Mexico|See of Mexico]]. On August 14, 1595, [[Pope Clement VIII]] issued four bulls to Spain: one with the incipit {{lang|la|Super universas orbis ecclesias}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deipraesidiofultus.blogspot.com/2013/05/philippine-bullary-i_30.html|title=Dei praesidio fultus: Philippine Bullary I|author=Siniculus}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|certain=yes|date=April 2023|reason=As a blog, blogspot is not considered a reliable source. See WP:BLOGS.}} elevating the See of Manila to a [[metropolitan archdiocese]]; and three with the incipit {{lang|la|Super specula militantis Ecclesiae}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deipraesidiofultus.blogspot.com/2013/10/philippine-bullary-ii.html|title=Dei praesidio fultus: Philippine Bullary II|author=Siniculus}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|certain=yes|date=April 2023|reason=As a blog, blogspot is not considered a reliable source. See WP:BLOGS.}} erecting the three suffragan dioceses of Manila, which were the Diocese of Cebu, the [[Archdiocese of Cáceres|Diocese of Nueva Cáceres]], and the [[Diocese of Nueva Segovia]].<ref name=PhilStarAgurto>[http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2014/10/12/1379351/fray-pedro-de-agurto-osa-first-bishop-cebu Philippine Star: "Fray Pedro de Agurto, OSA: The first Bishop of Cebu" By Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes, OSA (The Freeman)] October 12, 2014</ref> The Diocese of Cebu's first bishop was [[Pedro de Agurto]], an [[Augustinians|Augustinian]].<ref name="Cebu"/><ref name=PhilStarAgurto /> As a diocese, Cebú had a very extensive territory which then included the whole of the [[Visayas]], [[Mindanao]]<ref name="cebuarchdiocese.org" /> and  "more southern islands";<ref>{{cite book | url=http://www.bookrags.com/ebooks/15022/95.html#gsc.tab=0 | title=The Philippine Islands, 1493–1898 — Volume 12 of 55 Summary }}</ref> also it extended farther to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] such as the [[Mariana Islands|Marianas]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/cebu0.htm | title=Archdiocese of Cebu, Philippines }}</ref> [[Caroline Islands|Carolines]], and [[Palau]].<ref>Felipe Redondo y Sendino, ''Breve reseña de lo que fue y de lo que es la Diócesis de Cebú en las Islas Filipinas'', trans. Azucena L. Pace (Cebu City: University of San Carlos Press, 2014), Breve Reseña, 74.</ref>

However, it lost territory repeatedly:
* on May 27, 1865, to establish then [[Archdiocese of Jaro|Diocese of (Santa Isabel de) Jaro]] (now an Archdiocese)
* on September 17, 1902, to establish [[Apostolic Prefecture of Mariana Islands]]
* on April 10, 1910, to establish [[Diocese of Zamboanga]] and [[Diocese of Calbayog]]
* on July 15, 1932, to establish [[Diocese of Bacolod]]

=== Archdiocese of Cebu ===
On April 28, 1934, [[Pope Pius XI]] promulgated an apostolic constitution with the incipit ''Romanorum Pontificum semper'' separating the dioceses of Cebu, Calbayog, Jaro, Bacolod, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro from the [[Ecclesiastical province#Catholic Church|ecclesiastical province]] of Manila. The same constitution elevated the diocese into an archdiocese while placing all the newly separated dioceses under a new ecclesiastical province with Cebu as the new metropolitan see.<ref>Pope Pius XI, Apostolic Constitution separating some dioceses from the ecclesiastical province of Manila to form the new ecclesiastical province of Cebu ''[https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-27-1935-ocr.pdf#page=263 Romanorum Pontificum semper]'' (April 28, 1934), ''Acta Apostolicae Sedis'' 27 (1935), pp.263–264. PROVINCIA ECCLESIASTICA MANILANA DISMEMBRATIO ET NOVA CAEBUANA PROVINCIA ERIGITUR.</ref> The last suffragan bishop, [[Gabriel Reyes|Gabriel M. Reyes]], was promoted as its first archbishop.

On November 8, 1941, it lost territory to establish [[Diocese of Tagbilaran]] as its suffragan.
<!--
In the [[Ecclesiastical letter|Apostolic Letter]] ''Ut Clarificetur'', on the conferring the titles and privileges of the basilica, [[Pope Paul VI]] in 1965 described the Cebu's now [[Basilica del Santo Niño]] as the "Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines" (''mater et caput... omnium ecclesiarum Insularum Philippinarum'').<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-vi_apl_19650401_ut-clarificetur_lt.html | title=Ut clarificetur, Litterae Apostlicae, Titulus ac privilegia Basilicae Minoris ecclesiae Sanctissimo Nomini Iesu Caebuae dicatae conferuntur, d. 1 m. Aprilis a. 1965, Paulus PP. VI &#124; Paulus PP. VI }}</ref> The same Paul VI also named the basilica the "symbol of the birth and growth of Christianity in the Philippines."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1965/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19650502_philippines_en.html | title=Radio message on the 4th centenary of the evangelization of the Philippines (May 2, 1965) &#124; Paul VI }}</ref> -->

Cebu was visited by [[Pope John Paul II]] in February 1981. In his Homily for Families (February 19, 1981), the supreme pontiff called the island as the birthplace of the faith:

<blockquote>Finding myself in this important city known as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, I want to express my deep joy and profound thanksgiving to the Lord of history. The thought that for 450 years the light of the Gospel has shone with undimmed brightness in this land and on its people is cause for great rejoicing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/1981/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19810219_famiglie_en.html | title=19 February 1981: Mass for families, Cebu City, Philippines &#124; John Paul II }}</ref></blockquote>

Between November 10, 1985, and March 1, 1986, the archdiocese held its Fourth Diocesan Synod of Cebu at the Seminaryo Mayor de San Carlos.

It hosted the [[2016 International Eucharistic Congress|51st International Eucharistic Congress]] from January 24 to 31, 2016.

===''Sugbuswak'': Division to three dioceses===
Plans to divide the Archdiocese of Cebu was first laid during the pastoral leadership of Cardinal [[Julio Rosales]].<ref name="mycebu2">{{Cite news|title=Don't rush breakup of Archdiocese of Cebu, some Cebu priests say |first=Max |last=Limpag |date=September 26, 2023 |url=https://www.mycebu.ph/article/sugbuswak-cebu-clergy/ |work=MyCebu.ph |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> It was raised again on August 20, 2002, during the pastoral leadership of then-Archbishop Cardinal [[Ricardo Vidal]].<ref name="mycebu">{{Cite news|title=Cebu clergy, lay finalize proposal to break up Archdiocese of Cebu |first=Max |last=Limpag |date=November 21, 2023 |url=https://www.mycebu.ph/article/sugbuswak-gpa-proposal/ |work=MyCebu.ph |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> 

The plan was revived again on December 31, 2022, when Archbishop [[Jose S. Palma]] announced a feasibility study on the planned division of the archdiocese.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Sugbuswak' talks continue on new Cebu diocese in Danao City |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/99995/sugbuswak-talks-continue-on-new-cebu-diocese-in-danao-city/story/ |work=GMA Regional TV |date=3 January 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> The archdiocese coined the term "''Sugbuswak''", derived from "Cebu" and the Cebuano word "buswak", referring to the [[flower]]ing or [[blossom]]ing of new dioceses.<ref name="sugbuswak" /> The plan calls for the erection of two new [[suffragan diocese]]s in [[Danao, Cebu|Danao]], which would cover the northern part of the civil province of Cebu; and in [[Carcar, Cebu|Carcar]], covering the southern part of the province. The territory of the metropolitan archdiocese would be reduced to the central part of the province, including [[Cebu City]] and its neighboring towns, as well as the island of [[Mactan]].<ref name="mycebu" /> The plan aims for better pastoral management in churches.<ref name="mycebu2" />

During its 126th Plenary Assembly in [[Kalibo, Aklan]] in July 2023, the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines]] (CBCP) unanimously approved the planned division of the Archdiocese of Cebu. It also received support from the [[Cebuano people]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cebuanos support Archdiocese's split |first=John Rey |last=Saavedra |date=February 14, 2024 |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218846 |work=Philippine News Agency |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> Archbishop Palma presented the proposal to the [[Holy See]] on March 11, 2024, as part of his {{lang|la|[[ad limina]]}} visit to [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Pope Seen to greenlight a proposal to create two new Cebu dioceses, says Archbishop Palma |url=https://www.rvasia.org/asian-news/pope-seen-greenlight-proposal-create-two-new-cebu-dioceses-says-archbishop-palma |work=Radio Veritas Asia |date=19 February 2024 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>

In December 2024, Archbishop [[José S. Palma]] suspended indefinitely the celebration of Traditional [[Tridentine Mass]] (TLM) until further notice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Limpag |first1=Max |title=Cebu Archbishop Palma suspends Traditional Latin Mass|url= https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/cebu-archbishop-jose-palma-suspends-traditional-latin-mass/|accessdate=December 8, 2024 |work= [[Rappler]]|date=December 4, 2024}}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
[[File:Coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Cebu.svg|thumb|The coat of arms used from 1949 to 2009, designed by Filipino ecclesiastical heraldist and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop [[Mariano Madriaga]].]]
The ecclesiastical arms of the Archdiocese of Cebu was redesigned by a professional Italian heraldic artist, Sig. Marco Foppoli, as commissioned by the priests-secretaries of the Office of the Archbishop in the first quarter of 2021, with the facilitation and benefaction of Msgr. Jan Thomas V. Limchua.

The re-designed coat of arms of the archdiocese consists of a simple yet traditional shield, which is the most commonly used form in ecclesiastical heraldry. In a chapé ("mantled") ployé partition, which is formed by two arched lines drawn from the center chief to the sides, the shield itself is divided into two fields: the upper field, in red (gules); and the lower field, in blue (azure).

The upper field of red represents the Niño de Cebu (Bato Balani sa Gugma, or Magnet of Love), whose very image, which at first was a gift during the first baptism five hundred years ago, has now become the symbol of the Catholic faith in Cebu.

On this same field are two lions: the first lion, in gold, is emblazoned with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Castile; while the other, in silver, is emblazoned with the personal coat of arms of Ferdinand Magellan—these two elements were present in the original coat of arms granted to the archdiocese. Both refer to the Hispanic origin and nascent beginning of Catholicism in Cebu, the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines.

These two lions support the stylized monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus inside a stylized image of the sun—symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. It is deliberately placed at the top center of the arm, representing the titular of the archdiocese. It also recalls the life and ministry of Jesus in the words of Paul (Letter to the Philippians): "…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that [[File:Cebu Archdiocese coat of arms.svg|thumb|The coat of arms used from 2009 to 2022.]]is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:7–11)

The field of red also honors the Visayan Proto-Martyr, Pedro Calungsod.

The lower field of blue symbolizes Our Lady and her motherly mantle of love and compassion for the Cebuano faithful as also portrayed by the monogram "Auspice Maria" (Under the Protection of Mary) with a gold crown (above), a silver crescent (below), and gold gloriole (around the monogram). This imagery specifically refers to her image and title, Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, through whose intercession, and by God's grace flowing from above, has saved Cebu from the cholera epidemic of 1902. On 16 July 2006, Virgen de Guadalupe de Cebu was canonically crowned by the authority of Pope Benedict XVI as patroness of the archdiocese.

The upward, arrow tip-like shape of the blue field can be understood as a reminder to the Cebuano faithful that a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary inevitably leads to a greater love for her Divine Son, Our Lord. This is reminiscent of the traditional aphorism, "Ad Jesum per Mariam" (to Jesus, through Mary).

The entire shield is surmounted by the conventional heraldic elements identifying it to be the coat of arms of an archdiocese, namely a miter, and the crossed crozier and archiepiscopal cross.

Written on a scroll, below the arms, is the Motto of the Archdiocese: "Sanctum Nomen Eius," which means "Holy is His Name," taken from Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:49).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu updated their profile picture. |work=The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu |url=https://www.facebook.com/102088165248724/posts/341063698017835/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |via=Facebook |language=en}}</ref>

== Ordinaries ==

===Prelates of Cebu ===
{{refn|group=note|The religious superiors, in this case the [[Augustinians]] in [[Cebu]], functioned as ordinaries in mission territories with no diocese through the papal bull ''Omnimodam auctoritatem nostram'' made by [[Pope Adrian VI]]. Thus, consequently making the first Augustinian superiors as Prelates of Cebu. Their prelacy are more historical than canonical. The modern equivalent of this is a [[Territorial Abbey|Territorial Superior]]. See more in [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/cebu0.htm gcatholic.org].}}

*[[Andrés de Urdaneta]] (April 1565 – June 1565), considered as first [[prelate]] of the Philippines.<ref>Bartolomé de Letona, OSF (1662), "Description of the Filipinas Islands" in [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/AFK2830.0001.036?rgn=main;view=fulltext ''The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803'', vol. 34], eds. Emma H. Blair and James A. Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1906), 208. "The Order of St. Augustine entered the islands in the year [1]565; its first superior, and first prelate of all the islands was Fray Andres de Urdaneta – a Vascongado,40 and a son of the convent and province of Mexico; he was the apostle who unfurled the gospel banner, and he planted the faith in the island of Zebu' and others."</ref><ref>[http://www.philippinestudies.net/ojs/index.php/ps/article/view/2484/4680 Bibliography on Legazpi and Urdaneta], Isacio R. Rodriguez, Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints(Ateneo de Manila University:1965).</ref>
*Diego de Herrera (June 1565 – 1569)
*[[Martín de Rada]] (1569–1572)
*Alfonso Jimenez (1575–1577)<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/files/30350/30350-h/30350-h.htm#doc1662.1 ''The Philippine Islands 1493–1803''], vol. 23, eds. Emma H. Blair, James A. Robertson (Cleveland: The Arthur H. Clark Company, 1903), 209. "In April of the year 1565, there was founded in Zebu (afterward being transferred to Manila) the church and ecclesiastical community of these islands; and its ordinary jurisdiction was allotted to the superiors of the Order of St. Augustine, who were the founders and apostles of this kingdom; they held that dignity up to the year of [15]77".</ref>

===Suffragan bishops of Cebu===
* [[Pedro de Agurto]] (30 August 1595 Appointed – 14 Oct 1608 Died)
* [[Pedro de Arce]] (17 Sep 1612 Appointed – 16 Oct 1645 Died)
* [[Juan Velez (bishop elect)|Juan Velez]] (26 Jan 1660 bishop elect – 1662 Died)
* [[Juan López (archbishop)|Juan López]] † (23 April 1663 Appointed – 14 Nov 1672), later Metropolitan [[Archdiocese of Manila|Archbishop of Manila]] (Philippines) (1672.11.14 – death 1674.02.12)
* [[Diego de Aguilar (bishop)|Diego de Aguilar]] (16 Nov 1676 Appointed – 1 Oct 1692 Died)
* [[Miguel Bayot]] (13 May 1697 Appointed – 28 Aug 1700 Died)
* Pedro Sanz de la Vega y Landaverde (26 Jan 1705 Appointed – 17 Dec 1717 Died)
* [[Apostolic Administrator]] [[Sebastián Foronda]]  (2 March 1722 Appointed – 20 May 1728 Died)
* Manuel de Ocio y Campo (20 Jan 1734 Appointed – 21 July 1737 Died)
* Protacio Cabezas (29 Aug 1740 Appointed – 3 Feb 1753 Died)
* [[Miguel Lino de Ezpeleta]] (18 July 1757 Appointed – 1771 Died)
* Mateo Joaquin Rubio de Arevalo (13 Nov 1775 Appointed – 1788 Died)
* Ignacio de Salamanca (24 Sep 1792 Appointed – Feb 1802 Died)
* Joaquín Encabo de la Virgen de Sopetrán (20 Aug 1804 Appointed – 8 Nov 1818 Died)
* Francisco Genovés (21 March 1825 Appointed – 1 Aug 1827 Died)
* Santos Gómez Marañón (28 Sep 1829 Appointed – 23 Oct 1840 Died)
* Romualdo Jimeno Ballesteros (19 Jan 1846 Appointed – 17 March 1872 Died); previously [[Titular Bishop]] of [[Ruspæ]] (1839.08.02 – 1846.01.19) & [[Coadjutor Apostolic Vicar]] of [[Apostolic Vicariate of Eastern Tonking|Eastern Tonking]] (Vietnam) (1839.08.02 – 1845.06.20), [[Coadjutor Bishop]] of Manila (Philippines) (1845.06.20 – 1846.01.19)
* [[:es:Benito Romero de Madridejos|Benito Romero]] (28 Jan 1876 Appointed – 4 Nov 1885 Died)
* Martín García y Alcocer (7 June 1886 Appointed – 30 July 1904 Resigned); emeritate as [[Titular Archbishop]] of [[Bostra]] (1904.07.30 – 1926.05.20)
* [[Thomas A. Hendrick]] (17 July 1903 Appointed – 29 Nov 1909 Died)
* [[Juan Gorordo|Juan Bautista Gorordo]] (2 April 1910 Appointed – 19 June 1931 Resigned), succeeded ad former Titular Bishop of [[Nilopolis]] (1909.04.29 – 1910.04.02) & [[Auxiliary Bishop]] of Cebu (1909.04.29 – 1910.04.02); emeritate as Titular Bishop of Tacapæ (1931.06.19 – 1934.12.20)
* [[Gabriel Reyes|Gabriel M. Reyes]] (29 July 1932 Appointed – 1934.04.28 ''see below'')

===Metropolitan archbishops of Cebu===
{| class="wikitable" 
|+ {{sronly|List of metropolitan archbishops of Cebu}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan=3 | Bishop
! scope="col" | Period in office
! scope="col" | Coat of arms
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
|1. |||| [[Gabriel Reyes|Gabriel M. Reyes]] || April 28, 1934 – August 25, 1949 <br /> <small>({{ayd|1934|04|28|1949|08|25}})</small> || [[File:Coat of arms of Gabriel Martelino Reyes as Archbishop of Cebu.svg|200px]] || Appointed [[Coadjutor Archbishop]] of [[Archdiocese of Manila|Manila]] & Titular Archbishop of [[Phulli]] 
|-
|2. || [[File:Julio Rosales.jpg|150px]] || Cardinal [[Julio Rosales y Ras]] || December 17, 1949 – August 24, 1982 <br /> <small>({{ayd|1949|12|17|1982|08|24}})</small> || [[File:Coat of arms of Julio Rosales y Ras.svg|200px]] || Created Cardinal by Pope Paul VI on April 28, 1969
|-
|3. || [[File:Cardinal Ricardo Vidal.jpg|150px]] || Cardinal [[Ricardo Vidal]] || August 24, 1982 – October 15, 2010 <br /> <small>({{ayd|1982|08|24|2010|10|15}})</small> || [[File:Coat of arms of Ricardo Jamin Vidal.svg|200px]] || Created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on May 25, 1985
|-
|4. || [[File:Archbishop José S. Palma, O.P.jpg|150px]] || [[Jose S. Palma]] || January 13, 2011–present <br /><small>({{ayd|2010|10|15}})</small> || [[File:Coat of arms of José Serofia Palma as Archbishop of Cebu (2022).svg|200px]] ||

|}

===Auxiliary bishops===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ {{sronly|List of auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Cebu}}
|-
! scope="col" colspan=3 | Bishop
! scope="col" | Period in office
! scope="col" | Titular see 
! scope="col" | Coat of arms
! scope="col" | Notes
|-
| 1. || || Juan Durán|| 1680 -1681 || ''Zenopolis in Lycia'' || ||
|-
| 2. || || [[Juan Gorordo|Juan Bautista Gorordo y Perfecto]] || 1909–1910 || ''Nilopolis'' || || Succeeded as Bishop of Cebu
|-
| 3. || || Manuel Sandalo Salvador || 1960–1969 || ''Nasbinca'' <br />''Zarna'' (As Titular Archbishop) || [[File:Coat of arms of Manuel Sandalo Salvador.svg|159x159px]] ||
|-
| 4. || || |[[Nicolas M. Mondejar|Nicolas Mollenedo Mondejar]] || 1970–1974 || ''Grumentum'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Nicolas Mollenedo Mondejar.svg|158x158px]]|| Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Romblon|Romblon]]
|-
| 5. || || |[[Jesus Dosado|Jesus Armamento Dosado]] || 1977–1979 || ''Nabala'' || || Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro|Cagayan de Oro]], later Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ozamis|Ozamis]]
|-
| 6. || || |[[Angel Nacorda Lagdameo]] || 1980–1986 || ''Oreto'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Angel Nacorda Lagdameo as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.svg|159x159px]] || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Dumaguete|Dumaguete]]
|-
| 7. || || |[[Camilo Diaz Gregorio]] || 1987–1989 || ''Girus'' || || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod|Bacolod]]
|-
| 8. || || |[[Leopoldo Sumaylo Tumulak]] || 1987–1992 || ''Lesvi'' || || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tagbilaran|Tagbilaran]]
|-
| 9. || || |[[Emilio Layon Bataclan]] || 1990–1995; 2004–2015 || ''Gunela'' (1900–1995) <br /> ''Septimunicia'' (2004–2015) || [[File:Coat of arms of Emilio Layon Bataclan.svg|150px]] || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Iligan|Iligan]], Reappointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu
|-
| 10. || || |Antonio Racelis Rañola || 1990–2003 || ''Claternae'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Antonio Racelis Rañola.svg|150px]] ||
|-
| 11. || || |[[Jose Serofia Palma]] || 1997–1999 || ''Vazari-Didda'' || || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Calbayog|Calbayog]], later Archbishop of Cebu
|-
| 12. || || |[[Precioso Cantillas|Precioso Dacalos Cantillas]] || 1995–1998 || ''Vicus Caesaris'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Precioso Dacalos Cantillas.svg|159x159px]] || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Maasin|Maasin]]
|-
| 13. || || |[[John Forrosuelo Du]] || 1997–2001 || ''Timici'' || [[File:Coat of arms of John Forrosuelo Du as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.svg|159x159px]] || Appointed Bishop of Dumaguete; later Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo|Palo]]
|-
| 14. || || |[[Antonieto Cabajog|Antonieto Dumagan Cabajog]] || 1999–2001 || ''Reperi'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Antonieto Dumagan Cabajog as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.svg|150px]] || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Surigao|Surigao]]
|-
| 15. || || |[[Julito Buhisan Cortes]] || 2001–2013 || ''Severiana'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Julito Buhisan Cortes.svg|159x159px]] || Appointed Bishop of Dumaguete
|-
| 16. || || |[[Isabelo Caiban Abarquez]] || 2002–2004 || ''Talaptula'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Isabelo Caiban Abarquez as Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu.svg|159x159px]] || Appointed Bishop of Calbayog
|-
| 17. || || |[[Oscar Jaime Llaneta Florencio]] || 2015–2019 || ''Lestrona'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Oscar Jaime Llaneta Florencio.svg|150px]] || Appointed Bishop of the [[Military Ordinariate of the Philippines]]
|-
| 18. || || |[[Dennis Villarojo|Dennis Cabanada Villarojo]] || 2015–2019 || ''Gisipa'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Dennis Villarojo.svg|150px]] || Appointed Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos|Malolos]]
|-
| 19. || || |[[Midyphil Billones|Midyphil Bermejo Billones]] || 2019–2025 || ''Tagarata'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Midyphil Bermejo Billones.svg|150px]] || Appointed [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro|Archbishop of Jaro]]
|-
| 20. || || |[[Ruben Labajo|Ruben Caballero Labajo]] || 2022–2025 || ''Abbir Maius'' || [[File:Coat of arms of Ruben Caballero Labajo.svg|150px|]] ||Appointed as the first Bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Prosperidad|Diocese of Prosperidad]]<ref name="CBCP News">{{cite news |title=Pope creates new Philippine diocese, names its first bishop |url=https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/pope-creates-new-philippine-diocese-names-its-first-bishop// |access-date=October 15, 2024 |work=CBCP News |date=October 15, 2024}}</ref>
|}

[[Image:Basilica Minore del Santo Nino.jpg|thumb|right|Basilica Minore Sto. Niño, Cebu City.]]

==Diocesan Seminaries==
* Pope John XXIII Seminary', Pope John Paul II Avenue, Barangay Luz, Cebu City 
''Rector:'' Allan Delima
* San Carlos Seminary College, Pope John Paul II Avenue, Barangay Luz, Cebu City 
''Rector:'' Joseph Tan
* Seminario Mayor de San Carlos, Pope John Paul II Avenue, Barangay Luz, Cebu City 
''Rector:'' Mhar Balili
* Spiritual Pastoral Formation Year House, Archbishop's Residence Compound, D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City 
''Director:'' Alvin Raypan

==Archdiocesan Calendar==
The Calendar of the Archdiocese of Cebu is based on the [[General Roman Calendar]] and the Philippine Standard Calendar. Below are the following additions and changes to the calendar.

* 3 January – Most [[Holy Name of Jesus]], titular of the archdiocese – [[Solemnity]]
* Third Sunday of January ({{CURRENTYEAR}} date: {{weekday in month|3rd|Sun|Jan}} January) – [[Santo Niño de Cebú]] – [[Solemnity]]
* 28 January – Dedication of the [[Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral]] as an Archdiocesan cathedral – [[Feast]] (Solemnity in the cathedral itself)
* 29 January – Saint [[Thomas Aquinas]], priest and doctor of the Church – Memorial
* 11 February – Our Lady, Health of the Sick – Optional Memorial
* 1 April – [[Saint]] [[Pedro Calungsod]], Cebuano [[martyr]] and secondary patron of the archdiocese- Feast
* 28 April – [[Saint]] [[Vitalis of Milan]], martyr and titular of the metropolitan cathedral – Memorial (Solemnity in the Cathedral itself)
* 15 May – Saint [[Isidore the Laborer]] – Memorial
* 30 May – Saint [[Ferdinand III of Castile]], king – Optional Memorial
* 2 August – Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula – Optional Memorial
* 16 August – Saint [[Roch]] – Memorial
* 19 August – Saint [[Ezequiel Moreno|Ezechiel Moreno]], bishop – Memorial
* 22 August – Our Lady, Queen of the Visayas, principal patroness of the Visayas Region – Feast
* 10 September – Saint [[Nicholas of Tolentino]], priest – Optional Memorial
* 22 September – Saint [[Thomas of Villanova]] (Sto. Tomas de Villanueva), bishop – [[Memorial]]
* 24 September – Saints [[Cosmas and Damian]], martyrs or Saint [[Wenceslaus]], king martyrs- Optional Memorial
* 25 September – Saint [[Vincent de Paul]], priest – Memorial
* 26 September – Saint [[Paul VI]], pope (Elevated the [[Basilica Minore del Santo Niño|Santo Niño Church]] into a minor basilica status) – Memorial (Feast in the basilica itself)
* 27 September – Commemoration of the [[Servant of God]] [[Teofilo Camomot]], Cebu's former auxiliary bishop
* 28 September – Saint [[Lorenzo Ruiz]] and Companions, martyrs – Memorial
* 18 November – Dedication of the [[Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral]] as a diocesan cathedral – Feast (Solemnity in the cathedral itself)
* 12 December – [[Our Lady of Guadalupe]], principal patroness of the archdiocese – Solemnity

==See also==

* [[Catholic Church in the Philippines]]
* [[Archdiocese of Manila]]
* [[Archdiocese of Caceres]]
* [[Diocese of Talibon]]
* [[List of the Catholic dioceses of the Philippines]]
* [[Cebu Catholic Television Network]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==Sources and external links==
* [https://archdioceseofcebu.ph/ Official website]
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/cebu0.htm GCatholic with incumbent bio links]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03471a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Cebu]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071004201124/http://www.cbcponline.net/cebu/ Archdiocese of Cebu] on the [[Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines]] website
* [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dcebu.html Archdiocese of Cebu] [[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]]
* [https://www.facebook.com/102088165248724/posts/341063698017835/?substory_index=0 Redesigned Coat of Arms]

{{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu}}
{{Roman Catholic dioceses in the Philippines}}
{{Catholic Church in the Philippines}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cebu, Archdiocese}}
[[Category:1595 establishments in the Spanish Empire|Archdiocese of Cebu]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in the 1590s]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Province of Cebu|Archdiocese]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic dioceses established in the 16th century]]
[[Category:Religion in Cebu]]
[[Category:Cebu City]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Cebu| ]]