Diocese of Masbate, Philippines 🇵🇭

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Name: Masbate / Masbaten(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Caceres

Neighbouring Dioceses: Capiz (↙), Romblon (←), Legazpi (↑), Sorsogon (↗), Naval (↘)

Patron Saint: Saint Anthony of Padua (June 13), Immaculate Conception (December 8)

Cathedral Dedication Anniversary: September 25

1968.03.23: Established as Diocese of Masbate / Masbaten(sis) (Latin) (from Diocese of Sorsogon and became suffragan of Caceres)

Bishop:

vacant

Bishops of Masbate (Roman Rite)

Bishop José Salmorin Bantolo
(2011.06.15 – 2025.12.13)

Priest of San Jose de Antique (Philippines) (1986.04.21 – 2011.06.15)

Bishop of Masbate (Philippines) (2011.06.15 – 2025.12.13)

Bishop Joel Zamudio Baylon (72)
(1998.02.14 – 2009.10.01)

Priest of Legazpi (Philippines) (1978.10.08 – 1998.02.14)

Bishop of Masbate (Philippines) (1998.02.14 – 2009.10.01)

Bishop of Legazpi (Philippines) (2009.10.01 – ...)

Bishop Porfirio Rivera Iligan
(1968.06.17 – 1998.02.14)

Bishop of Masbate (Philippines) (1968.06.17 – 1998.02.14)

Capiz (↙), Romblon (←), Legazpi (↑), Sorsogon (↗), Naval (↘)

Area: 7,000 km²

Population: 930,324 Catholics (88.9% of 1,045,988 total)

Pastoral Centres: 37 parishes

Personnel: 75 priests (72 diocesan, 3 religious), 38 religious (5 brothers, 33 sisters), 28 seminarians