A Centennial Book on Our History

I recently got hold of a flyer on the Coffeetable Book which will be published in time for the Centenary of the Diocese of Calbayog. I thought I would like to share with you the contents of that flyer and the appeal from the Bishop of Calbayog and the Centennial Book Committee for support to the project.

"Celebrating the 100th year of the Founding of the Diocese of Calbayog: A Centennial Book on Our History"

On April 10, 2010, the Diocese of Calbayog will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding as a Diocese. It was on April 10, 1910, when Pope St. Piux X issued the Consistorial Decree Novas Erigere Dioecesis that establshed the new Diocese of Calbayog covering Samar and Leyte islands, separate from the Diocese of Cebu.

For more than 300 years before this event, Samar island was administered by the Spanish missionaries - 173 years under the Order of the Society of Jesus and 134 years under the Franciscans - all under the Bishoperic of Cebu.

Bishop Pablo Singzon, a native of Calbiga who was Ecclesiastical Governor of the Diocese of Cebu from 1901 to 1903 was appointed as the first Bishop of the new diocese. Bishop Singzon chose the town of Calbayog in Samar which was the largest and most progressive town in the region, to be the seat of the new diocese.

The newly-erected diocese had 84 parroquias - 39 in Samar and 45 in Leyte. there were 35 priests in Samar (26 were Franciscans and only 9 were native clergy). In Leyte, there were 42 priests, all secular clergy. Bishop Singzon named Fr. Sofronio Hacbang as Provisor and Vicario General while Fr. Conrado Maga was named Secretaria de Camara y Gobierno. On May 2 - 4, 1911, Bishop Singzon convoked a diocesan Synod held at the church of Palo, Leyte.

And so,

--- the cornerstone for the foundation of the diocese had been laid.

Researching for our history
How it developed and how it transformed the lives of the faithful particularly Samareños in the last 100 years is the subject of an ongoing research.

A Centennial Book
In time for our centennial celebration on April 2010, we will publish the history of the Diocese in a coffeetable book.

We already have embarked on the project to research and write the history of the Diocese, tracing its beginnings not just to 1910 when it was erected but to go further back to 1596 when the first Spanish missionaries came to Samar to introduce the Christian faith to Samareños.

We truly believe that the centennial celebration of the founding of the Diocese can be viewed and appreciated more significantly if the church - the clergy and the laity understands its history.

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An Appeal from the Bishop of Calbayog:

Your generous support is needed
This cherished dream to document the growth of our faith in Samar will only be realized with your generous support for its publication.

Be part of history
May we, therefore, enjoin you to be part of our history, be part of our centennial celebration and be one of our Benefactors and Sponsors of the book.

Your names enshrined
Your names will be enshrined in the book and you will also receive free copies of the coffeetable book.

May the Lord reward your generosity and shower your family with bountiful blessings!

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For more information, please contact the Centennial Book Committee:

Fr. Noel Labendia: +63 927-896-4252
Fr. Niceas Abejuela: +63 918-939-4637
Charo Nabong-Cabardo: +63 915-429-6113
Rene Nachura: +63 918-900-5048
Diocesan Chancery: (+63 55) 209-13-72/ Telefax: (+63 55) 209-30-12
Email: centennialbook.calbayogdiocese@gmail.com