Territorial Prelature of Isabela, Philippines

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Territorial Prelature

Name: Isabela / Isabela de Basilan / Isabellapolitan(us) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Zamboanga

Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops

Celebrations

Patron Saint: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (July 4), Immaculate Heart of Mary

Cathedral Dedication Anniversary: June 21

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1963.10.12: Established as Territorial Prelature of Isabela / Isabela de Basilan / Isabellapolitan(us) (Latin) (from Metropolitan Archdiocese of Zamboanga and became suffragan of Zamboanga)

Contact Info

Address: Bishop’s Residence, Garcia Street, Querexeta Formation Center, Isabela, 7300 Basilian Province, Philippines

Phone: (062)200.74.24

Present Prelates

Bishop-Prelate (2019.03.25 – ...):

Bishop Leo Magdugo Dalmao, C.M.F. (55)

Ordinaries

Prelates of Isabela (Roman Rite)

Bishop Leo Magdugo Dalmao, C.M.F. (55)
(2019.03.25 – ...)

Bishop-Prelate of Isabela (Philippines)

Ut vitam habeant

Born:	1969.12.01 (Tagbilaran, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1997.05.31
Consecrated Bishop:	2019.05.24

Bishop-Prelate of Isabela (Philippines) (2019.03.25 – ...)

Bishop Martin Sarmiento Jumoad (68) (later Archbishop)
(2001.11.21 – 2016.10.04)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Ozamiz (Philippines)

Fides et spes

Born:	1956.11.11 (Kinasang-am, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1983.04.07
Consecrated Bishop:	2002.01.10

Priest of Isabela (Philippines) (1983.04.07 – 2001.11.21)

Apostolic Administrator of Isabela (Philippines) (2001 – 2001.11.21)

Bishop-Prelate of Isabela (Philippines) (2001.11.21 – 2016.10.04)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Ozamiz (Philippines) (2016.10.04 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Pagadian (Philippines) (2024.01.03 – 2025.04.02)

Fr. Martin Sarmiento Jumoad (68) (later Archbishop)
(Apostolic Administrator 2001 – 2001.11.21)

Bishop Romulo Tolentino de la Cruz (later Archbishop)
(1989.01.28 – 2001.01.08)

Crescere in plebem suam

Born:	1947.06.24 (Balasan, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1972.12.08
Consecrated Bishop:	1988.03.16
Died:	2021.12.10 (Zamboanga, Philippines † 74)

Coadjutor Bishop-Prelate of Isabela (Philippines) (1987.12.17 – 1989.01.28)

Bishop-Prelate of Isabela (Philippines) (1989.01.28 – 2001.01.08)

Coadjutor Bishop of San Jose de Antique (Philippines) (2001.01.08 – 2002.03.16)

Bishop of San Jose de Antique (Philippines) (2002.03.16 – 2008.05.14)

Bishop of Kidapawan (Philippines) (2008.05.14 – 2014.03.15)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Zamboanga (Philippines) (2014.03.15 – 2021.12.10)

Bishop José María Querejeta Mendizábal, C.M.F.
(1963.10.24 – 1989.01.28)

Born:	1921.12.10 (Spain)
Ordained Priest:	1946.06.09
Consecrated Bishop:	1964.01.25
Died:	1997.09.26 († 75)

Bishop-Prelate of Isabela (Philippines) (1963.10.24 – 1989.01.28)

Titular Bishop of Eressus (1963.10.24 – 1997.09.26)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Bishop-Prelate: Bishop Romulo Tolentino de la Cruz (later Archbishop) (1987.12.17 – 1989.01.28)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Isabel de Portugal, Isabela City, Basilan, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Jubilee Churches in the Holy Year 2025

Churches by City (10)

Jolo (↙), Zamboanga (↑)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 1,359 km²

Population: 131,560 Catholics (28.8% of 456,400 total)

Pastoral Centres: 10 parishes

Personnel: 11 priests (diocesan), 27 religious (5 brothers, 22 sisters), 5 seminarians