Diocese of Tagbilaran, Philippines 🇵🇭

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Tagbilaran / Tagbilaran(us) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Cebu

Neighbouring Dioceses: Dumaguete (←), Cebu (↑), Talibon (↗), Maasin (→), Cagayan de Oro (↘)

Depends on: Dicastery for Bishops

Celebrations

Patron Saint: St. Joseph the Worker (May 1), Saint Roch (August 16)

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1941.11.08: Established as Diocese of Tagbilaran / Tagbilaran(us) (Latin) (from Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cebu and became suffragan of Cebu)
1986.01.09: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Talibon

Present Prelates

Bishop (2026.03.25 – ...):

Bishop-elect Gerardo Fortich Saco (60)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Tagbilaran (Roman Rite)

Bishop-elect Gerardo Fortich Saco (60)
(2026.03.25 – ...)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines)

Born:	1965.10.06 (Tagbilaran, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1993.04.26
Consecrated Bishop:	2026.05.26

Priest of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (1993.04.26 – 2026.03.25)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (2026.03.25 – ...)

Bishop Alberto Sy Uy (59) (later Archbishop)
(2016.10.13 – 2025.07.16)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu (Philippines)

Omnia facio propter Evangelium

Born:	1966.10.18 (Ubay, Bohol, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1993.04.14
Consecrated Bishop:	2017.01.05

Priest of Talibon (Philippines) (1993.04.14 – 2016.10.13)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (2016.10.13 – 2025.07.16)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu (Philippines) (2025.07.16 – ...)

Bishop Leonardo Yuzon Medroso (87)
(2006.10.17 – 2016.10.13)

Bishop emeritus of Tagbilaran (Philippines)

Ambula coram me

Born:	1938.11.06 (Ormoc, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1963.03.30
Consecrated Bishop:	1987.03.17

Priest of Palo (Philippines) (1963.03.30 – 1986.12.18)

Bishop of Borongan (Philippines) (1986.12.18 – 2006.10.17)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (2006.10.17 – 2016.10.13)

Bishop Leopoldo Sumaylo Tumulak
(1992.11.28 – 2005.01.15)

Unitas in caritate

Born:	1944.09.29 (Santander, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1971.03.30
Consecrated Bishop:	1987.03.16
Died:	2017.06.17 (San Juan City, Philippines † 72)

Titular Bishop of Lesvi (1987.01.12 – 1992.11.28)

Auxiliary Bishop of Cebu (Philippines) (1987.01.12 – 1992.11.28)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (1992.11.28 – 2005.01.15)

Military Ordinary of Military Ordinariate of the Philippines (Philippines) (2005.01.15 – 2017.06.17)

Bishop Felix Sanchez Zafra
(1986.10.20 – 1992.04.21)

Ut vitam abundantius habeant

Born:	1920.01.14 (Clarin, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1944.03.04
Consecrated Bishop:	1967.10.22
Died:	2002.08.04 († 82)

Bishop of Dipolog (Philippines) (1967.07.31 – 1986.10.20)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (1986.10.20 – 1992.04.21)

Bishop Onesimo Cadiz Gordoncillo (later Archbishop)
(1976.07.03 – 1986.06.18)

Veritatem tuam annuntiabo

Born:	1935.02.16 (Jimalalud, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1961.03.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1974.05.27
Died:	2013.11.13 († 78)

Titular Bishop of Gunugus (1974.03.14 – 1976.07.03)

Auxiliary Bishop of Dumaguete (Philippines) (1974.03.14 – 1976.07.03)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (1976.07.03 – 1986.06.18)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Capiz (Philippines) (1986.06.18 – 2011.11.09)

Bishop Manuel Mascariñas y Morgia
(1951.11.12 – 1976)

Confido in Domino

Born:	1897.01.17 (Antequera, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1924.06.14
Consecrated Bishop:	1938.03.25
Died:	1980.05.08 († 83)

Bishop of Palo (Philippines) (1937.12.16 – 1951.11.12)

Bishop of Tagbilaran (Philippines) (1951.11.12 – 1976)

Bishop Julio Rosales y Ras (later Cardinal)
(1946.06.29 – 1949.12.17)

Te amari faciam

Born:	1906.09.18 (Calbayog, Philippines)
Ordained Priest:	1929.06.02
Consecrated Bishop:	1946.09.21
Created Cardinal:	1969.04.28
Died:	1983.06.02 (Cebu, Philippines † 76)