Caceres marks 75 years as an Archdiocese on feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

Three ecclesiastical territories in the Bicol region marked their 75th anniversaries this week, commemorating a historic Church reorganization that reshaped Catholic governance across southern Luzon.

The milestone traces its roots to Pope Pius XII’s 1951 papal bull Quo in Philippina Republica, which elevated Caceres to a metropolitan archdiocese and created the dioceses of Legazpi and Sorsogon.

The Archdiocese of Caceres celebrated the diamond jubilee of its elevation with a diocesan assembly followed by a thanksgiving Mass at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral attended by clergy and lay faithful.

During the assembly, delegates approved revised constitutions and by-laws governing the youth commission, parish pastoral council, parish finance council and commission for ecclesial structures.

Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon said the updated policies are intended to broaden participation among clergy and lay faithful while strengthening accountability and transparency across the archdiocese.

Preaching during the anniversary Mass, Alarcon said the revised documents reflected a decision to follow Christ “with intention and purpose” and urged Catholics to continue building a synodal Church.

In Legazpi, Bishop Joel Baylon formally opened the diocesan diamond jubilee by opening the Jubilee Door at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral before leading a thanksgiving celebration with the faithful.

Pilgrims who visit the cathedral through Dec. 31 and fulfill the Church’s prescribed conditions may receive a plenary indulgence during the jubilee year.

Baylon urged Catholics to become “a Church that cares” by listening to the cries of the poor and accompanying those suffering from injustice and hardship.

He also highlighted diocesan programs supporting poor families through livelihood assistance and charitable outreach while encouraging responsible stewardship of creation, respect for human dignity and commitment to social transformation.

The celebration also welcomed members of the deaf community, underscoring the diocese’s continuing effort to build a more inclusive and synodal local Church.

In neighboring Sorsogon, the anniversary coincided with the opening of the diocese’s second diocesan synod under the theme, “I am with you.”

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Charles Brown presided over the thanksgiving Mass, encouraging Catholics to journey together toward God’s kingdom and faithfully hand on the faith to future generations.

Bishop Jose Alan Dialogo described the anniversary as “a gathering of hearts full of thanksgiving” for God’s enduring faithfulness and providence throughout the diocese’s 75-year history.

When the dioceses were established in 1951, Sorsogon covered the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate, while Legazpi served Albay and Catanduanes before additional dioceses were created in subsequent decades.

Today, the Archdiocese of Caceres serves as the metropolitan see for six suffragan dioceses, reflecting the continued growth of the Catholic Church across the Bicol region.