Diocese of Romblon, Philippines 🇵🇭

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Romblon / Romblonien(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Capiz

Neighbouring Dioceses: Calapan (↖), Boac (↑), Masbate (→), Kalibo (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops

Celebrations

Patron Saint: St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church (March 19), Santo Niño de Romblon

Cathedral Dedication Anniversary: May 13

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1974.12.19: Established as Diocese of Romblon / Romblonien(sis) (Latin) (from Diocese of Capiz and Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan and became suffragan of Jaro)
1976.01.17: Became suffragan of Capiz

Present Prelates

Bishop (2013.10.15 – ...):

Bishop Narciso Villaver Abellana, M.S.C. (72)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Romblon (Roman Rite)

Bishop Narciso Villaver Abellana, M.S.C. (72)
(2013.10.15 – ...)

Bishop of Romblon (Philippines)

Ut omnes unum sint

Born:	1953.11.11 (Talisay City, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1978.12.28
Consecrated Bishop:	2013.12.11

Bishop of Romblon (Philippines) (2013.10.15 – ...)

Bishop Jose Corazon Tumbagahan Tala-oc (75)
(2003.06.11 – 2011.05.25)

Bishop emeritus of Kalibo (Philippines)

Ut omnes unum sint

Born:	1950.06.16 (Tagas, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1979.04.09
Consecrated Bishop:	2003.07.30

Priest of Kalibo (Philippines) (1979.04.09 – 2003.06.11)

Bishop of Romblon (Philippines) (2003.06.11 – 2011.05.25)

Bishop of Kalibo (Philippines) (2011.05.25 – 2025.06.16)

Bishop Arturo Mandin Bastes, S.V.D.
(1997.07.03 – 2002.07.25)

Gressus meos diriget

Born:	1944.04.01 (Loboc, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1970.11.28
Consecrated Bishop:	1997.08.21
Died:	2024.10.20 (Cainta, Philippines † 80)

Bishop of Romblon (Philippines) (1997.07.03 – 2002.07.25)

Coadjutor Bishop of Sorsogon (Philippines) (2002.07.25 – 2003.04.16)

Bishop of Sorsogon (Philippines) (2003.04.16 – 2019.10.15)

Bishop Vicente Salgado y Garrucho
(1988.05.30 – 1997.01.30)

Ut faciam opus major

Born:	1936.04.20 (Bacolod, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1961.12.23
Consecrated Bishop:	1988.07.25
Died:	2005.04.09 († 68)

Priest of Bacolod (Philippines) (1961.12.23 – 1988.05.30)

Bishop of Romblon (Philippines) (1988.05.30 – 1997.01.30)

Bishop Nicolas Mollenedo Mondejar
(1974.12.19 – 1987.11.21)

In truth and charity

Born:	1924.09.15 (Cabatuan, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1953.04.04
Consecrated Bishop:	1970.08.30
Died:	2019.02.10 († 94)

Priest of Jaro (Philippines) (1953.04.04 – 1970.07.17)

Titular Bishop of Grumentum (1970.07.17 – 1974.12.19)

Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu (Philippines) (1970.07.17 – 1974.12.19)

Bishop of Romblon (Philippines) (1974.12.19 – 1987.11.21)

Bishop of San Carlos (Philippines) (1987.11.21 – 2001.07.25)

Special Churches

Cathedral: St. Joseph Cathedral, Romblon, Romblon, Mimaropa
Jubilee Churches in the Holy Year 2025

Churches by City (32)

Calapan (↖), Boac (↑), Masbate (→), Kalibo (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 1,567 km²

Population: 472,660 Catholics (81.4% of 580,485 total)

Pastoral Centres: 30 parishes

Personnel: 55 priests (diocesan), 57 religious (2 brothers, 55 sisters), 41 seminarians