Cebu Faithful Back Plan to Divide Archdiocese into Three Dioceses

CEBU CITY – The Catholic community in Cebu has voiced strong support for the proposal to split the Archdiocese of Cebu into three separate dioceses, aiming to enhance church administration and services for over 4.5 million Roman Catholics in the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference, a statement from the laity expressing their support for the division, dubbed “Sugbuswak,” has been forwarded to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown. The proposal, which awaits approval from the Holy See in Vatican City, received unanimous backing from Philippine bishops in July of the previous year.

Fe Barino, chair of the Commission on Laity of the Archdiocese of Cebu, outlined 18 considerations in the statement, including the formation of institutes for clergy and laity education, digital catechism enhancement, and the establishment of various councils and commissions to address pastoral and administrative needs. Concerns over diocesan priests’ living allowances, clergy healthcare, retirement benefits, and youth formation programs were also highlighted.

Notable figures such as retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and retired Regional Trial Court Judge Simeon Dumdum have actively supported the initiative. Archbishop Palma emphasized the initiative’s timing, citing a need for new leadership perspectives in addressing past crises and current realities.

If approved by the Vatican, the reorganization will result in the creation of the Archdiocese of Cebu and two new dioceses: Danao to the north and Carcar to the south, facilitating more effective church governance and service delivery across the region.