After how many years, I finally made a new article! This project was thrust upon me by Rev. Fr. Belstar Ediang who asked for my help to create a brief history of the Diocese which will be published for CBCP. He provided me with the data and I just sort of summarized his article. This took 3 days to write. Getting out of Writer's Block is difficult indeed.
Leafing through the pages of an old newspaper, I came upon an article about the history of the Diocese of Pagadian. I was struck with awe and wonder at how this Diocese fought through the challenges of the times and emerged victorious. And isn't it amazing how we can look back a year ago and realize that everything has changed? More so when we look back 50years.
From a small town in the western part of Mindanao, measuring only 2,807 square kilometers, Pagadian derived its name from the word “Pangadyean” which imply “a place to be prayed for” due to the Malaria epidemic that seized the town in its early days. Today, Pagadian is fondly nicknamed “The Little Hongkong of the South” because of its mountainous topography and undulating terrain.
Pagadian is mostly populated by the Tri People: The Subanens in the uplands, the Muslims in the coasts, and the Christians, who are the majority, are in the lowlands. But despite the differences in culture and religion, the people are united towards peace and the development of Pagadian. Indeed the fruits of labor, especially the efforts of the church paid off, and the generation of today is reaping its harvest.
When Pagadian, which was used to be part of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga, was elevated as a Diocese on Nov. 12, 1971 by His Holiness Pope Paul VI, His Excellency, the Most Reverend Jesus B. Tuquib was its first bishop. The Columban Fathers from Ireland, America, Australia and New Zealand continued the work of the Jesuit missionaries and this greatly helped the young diocese. Aside from being the first parish priests of the 13 parishes that initially made up the Diocese, the Columban Fathers also fought illiteracy by founding High School educational institutions for the poor and the needy in almost every parish they served.
The missionary work of the Columban Fathers yielded abundant fruits of priestly vocations as well. Among the first Filipino priests were Rev. Fr. Francisco L. Pintac in 1976, Rev. Fr. Salvador Banga and Rev. Fr. Cresencio Suarin in 1977. Also, the Holy Infant Seminary was created that same year to cater to the fertile vineyard for vocations. However, since the harvest is plenty but laborers are few, priests from neighboring provinces of Bohol and Dipolog were enlisted at Pagadian.
The Diocese paid attention not only to priestly vocations, but also to lay formations. Numerous training and seminars were initiated for the formation of the laity which paved the way to the organization of full-time parish workers. The PRL (Priests, Religious and Lay) an offshoot of this collaboration, addresses the different issues that confront the Church - be they economical, political, ecological or moral.
In August of 1976, when the Diocese was still 5 years old, a terrible earthquake shook the city of Pagadian. The tidal waves or tsunami killed many people, brought great and vast destruction along the coastal areas of Pagadian and destroyed many buildings and properties. The Diocese helped bury the dead, fed the hungry and relocated the homeless.
Aside from natural disasters, the Diocese also confronted socio-political issues in order to bring justice, peace and equality to all.Issues like mining, Swertres and peace and order of the City were faced head-on. The Diocese stood firm in its convictions, did not tolerate unfairness and did not waver in its mission. Additionally, massive campaigns through homilies and assemblies were conducted to educate the people.
In order to realize its vision and mission, the Diocese created different programs and apostolates such as: Hatag-uli, Basic Ecclesiastical Community (BEC), Parish Youth Apostolate (PYA), Vocation Promoters, Family and Life Apostolate (FLA), and Sabakan among others. These programs and apostolates cater to the different needs of the parishioners. Most of these programs are parish-based so that they are able to reach even the remotest family or individual.
After 50 years, the Diocese continues to uphold and serve its people while staying true to its mission: To bring the love of God to everyone. That is what makes it awesome and amazing: That no matter the change in the times, the Diocese will continue to adapt to the changes. We can be sure that with the guidance of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Pagadian Diocese will continue to do God’s work for many years to come.
