Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa

The Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa is located in the Province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the Code of Canon Law 371 §1, "An apostolic vicariate or apostolic prefecture is a certain portion of the people of God which has not yet been established as a diocese due to special circumstances and which, to be shepherded, is entrusted to an apostolic vicar or apostolic prefect who governs it in the name of the Supreme Pontiff."

Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa

Apostolicus Vicariatus Portus Principis in Philippins

Bikaryato Apostoliko ng Puerto Princesa
Vicariato Apostólico de Puerto Princesa
Official Seal
Location
CountryPhilippines
TerritoryCity of Puerto Princesa, Municipality of Cagayancillo and the Southern Palawan's Municipalities, namely: Aborlan, Narra, Palawan, Quezon, Palawan, Rizal, Palawan, Sofronio Española, Brooke's Point, Bataraza, Balabac and Kalayaan, Palawan.
MetropolitanImmediately subject to the Holy See (Propaganda Fide)
Statistics
Area8,552 km2 (3,302 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics (including non-members)		(as of 2010)
612,014
319,768 (51.6%)
Parishes32
Information
DenominationRoman Catholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
EstablishedJuly 3, 1955
CathedralImmaculate Conception Cathedral
Patron saintSt. Joseph, the Husband of Mary
Secular priests43
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
Vicar ApostolicMost Rev. Socrates C. Mesiona, MSP, DD
Vicar GeneralRev. Fr. Jesusinio Panganiban, Jr.
Bishops emeritusMost Rev. Pedro D. Arigo, DD
Map

Jurisdiction of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa.
Source of statistics: Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa [1]

Its episcopal see is the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. It is not a part of an ecclesiastical province as it is directly subject to the Holy See through the Congregation of the Evangelization of People (Propaganda Fide), yet for the purpose of apostolic cooperation usually grouped with the Archdiocese of Manila, along with the Roman Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay.

The Catholic Church in the Philippines is organized into 72 dioceses in 16 Ecclesiastical Provinces, as well as 7 Apostolic Vicariates and a Military Ordinariate.

The current Vicar Apostolic (Bishop) is the Most Rev. Socrates Calamba Mesiona MSP, DD.

History

The establishment as Prefectura Apostolica was announced and celebrated on April 10, 1910, a great day among the Recollect Priests. In the bull of the founding of Pope Pius X entitled “Novas Erigere Diocese” (Newly established Dioceses) the Prefectura Apostolica de Palawan was mentioned along with the elevated levels of the Diocese of Lipa, Tuguegarao, Zamboanga and Calbayog. The Prefectura Apostolica is administered by the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of Faith to the Recollect priests as stated in Protocol No. 837/910 on 13 May 1910 sent by Father Girolamo Maria Cotti, the Prefect, and Luigi Veccia, the Secretary.

On July 3, 1955 Rome declared the elevation of the Prefectura Apostolica to the Apostolic Vicariate of Palawan (AVP) by a bull entitled “Ad Christi Regnum” (The Reign of Christ) signed by Pope Pius XII . Bishop Gregorio Espiga and Infante, D.D. was the first Apostolic Vicar of Palawan. He became bishop on September 10,1955 in the church of San Sebastian, Manila as Titular Bishop of Afneo. He became bishop on September 10,1955 in the church of San Sebastian, Manila as Titular Bishop of Afneo. He formally took office on September 18, 1955.

On 27 March 2002, it was renamed as the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa and lost part of its territory when the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay was established.

Coat of Arms
  • Official Seal

The two lilies represent Saint Joseph, the Patron Saint whom the founding Augustinian Recollect Fathers dedicated the local church of Palawan. The crescent represents the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the cathedral. The fort is actually crowned with the fortification (Fort Santa Isabel) built by the Augustinian Recollect Fathers to protect their mission and their faithful from depredations of the Moros from the south.

List of Ordinaries

The early ordinaries were missionary members of the order of Augustinian Recollects (O.A.R.)

Apostolic Prefects of Palawan
  • Friar Victoriano Romàn Zárate di S. Giuseppe, O.A.R. (1911.04.21 – 1938)
  • Friar Leandro Nieto y Bolandier, O.A.R. (1938.11.25 – 1953)
  • Gregorio Espiga y Infante, O.A.R. (1953 – 1955.07.03 see below)


Apostolic Vicars of Palawan


Apostolic Vicars of Puerto Princesa
  • Pedro D. Arigo (2002.03.27 – 2016.10.28)
  • Socrates C. Mesiona (2016.10.28 - present)

See also

References
  1. "Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa". Diocesan Directory. UCANews. Retrieved 28 November 2011.

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