Diocese of Cabanatuan, Philippines

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Cabanatuan / Cabanatuanen(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Lingayen–Dagupan

Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops

Websites:

Celebrations

Patron Saint: Saint Nicholas of Tolentino (September 10)

Cathedral Dedication Anniversary: November 22

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1963.02.16: Established as Diocese of Cabanatuan / Cabanatuanen(sis) (Latin) (from Diocese of Lingayen–Dagupan and Diocese of San Fernando and became suffragan of Lingayen–Dagupan)
1984.02.16: Lost territory to establish Diocese of San Jose de Nueva Ecija

Present Prelates

Bishop (2024.12.08 – ...):

Bishop Prudencio Padilla Andaya Jr., C.I.C.M. (66)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Cabanatuan (Roman Rite)

Bishop Prudencio Padilla Andaya Jr., C.I.C.M. (66)
(2024.12.08 – ...)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines)

Caritas Christi urget nos

Born:	1959.01.02 (Lubuagan, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1986.12.08
Consecrated Bishop:	2003.07.16

Titular Bishop of Fuerteventura (2003.04.16 – 2024.12.08)

Vicar Apostolic of Tabuk (Philippines) (2003.04.16 – 2024.12.08)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (2024.12.08 – ...)

Bishop Sofronio Aguirre Bancud, S.S.S. (76)
(2004.11.06 – 2024.12.08)

Bishop emeritus of Cabanatuan (Philippines)

Accipite et manducate

Born:	1948.12.08 (Atulayan, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1977.05.02
Consecrated Bishop:	2001.08.02

Titular Bishop of Bida (2001.05.24 – 2004.11.06)

Auxiliary Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (2001.05.24 – 2004.11.06)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (2004.11.06 – 2024.12.08)

Apostolic Administrator of Bayombong (Philippines) (2016.05.28 – 2018.05.24)

Bishop Sofio Guinto Balce
(1990.11.11 – 2004.06.25)

Amare

Born:	1941.11.26 (Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1965.06.12
Consecrated Bishop:	1980.07.12
Died:	2004.06.25 († 62)

Titular Bishop of Lamphua (1980.05.09 – 1988.05.21)

Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres (Philippines) (1980.05.09 – 1988.05.21)

Coadjutor Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (1988.05.21 – 1990.11.11)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (1990.11.11 – 2004.06.25)

Bishop Ciceron Santa Maria Tumbocon
(1983.04.07 – 1990.11.11)

Fidelis

Born:	1922.05.06 (Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1948.03.13
Consecrated Bishop:	1982.10.07
Died:	1990.11.11 († 68)

Coadjutor Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (1982.08.18 – 1983.04.07)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (1983.04.07 – 1990.11.11)

Bishop Vicente Posada Reyes
(1967.08.08 – 1983.04.07)

Pax veritas dilectio

Born:	1907.05.24 (Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1932.03.19
Consecrated Bishop:	1950.08.24
Died:	1983.04.30 († 75)

Titular Bishop of Aspona (1950.06.12 – 1961.01.19)

Auxiliary Bishop of Manila (Philippines) (1950.06.12 – 1961.01.19)

Bishop of Borongan (Philippines) (1961.01.19 – 1967.08.08)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (1967.08.08 – 1983.04.07)

Bishop Mariano Gaviola y Garcés (later Archbishop)
(1963.03.08 – 1967.05.31)

Parare Domino plebem perfectam

Born:	1922.08.15 (Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1949.04.02
Consecrated Bishop:	1963.06.04
Died:	1998.10.13 († 76)

Bishop of Cabanatuan (Philippines) (1963.03.08 – 1967.05.31)

Titular Bishop of Girba (1967.05.31 – 1981.04.13)

Secretary General of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (1974 – 1983)

Military Vicar of Philippines (Philippines) (1974.03.02 – 1981.04.13)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Lipa (Philippines) (1981.04.13 – 1992.12.30)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Bishop: Bishop Sofio Guinto Balce (1988.05.21 – 1990.11.11)
Coadjutor Bishop: Bishop Ciceron Santa Maria Tumbocon (1982.08.18 – 1983.04.07)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Sofronio Aguirre Bancud, S.S.S. (76) (2001.05.24 – 2004.11.06)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Pedro G. Magugat, M.S.C. (1979.04.23 – 1981.12.09)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon
Former Cathedral: Former Cathedral of St. Nicolas of Tolentino, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon
Minor Basilica, National Shrine: Basilica and National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon
Jubilee Churches in the Holy Year 2025

Churches by City (32)

San Fernando (↙), Tarlac (←), San Jose de Nueva Ecija (↑), Bayombong (↗), Infanta (↘), Malolos (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 2,744 km²

Population: 1,036,081 Catholics (84.3% of 1,228,762 total)

Pastoral Centres: 30 parishes

Personnel: 59 priests (47 diocesan, 12 religious), 53 religious (12 brothers, 41 sisters), 31 seminarians