Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque (Latin: Dioecesis Paranaquensis; Filipino: Diyosesis ng Parañaque; Spanish: Diócesis de Parañaque) is a diocese of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Metro Manila, Philippines which encompasses the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa. Previously belonging to the Archdiocese of Manila, the Ecclesiastical District of Parañaque (formerly, PPLM) was declared an independent diocese on December 7, 2002 by Pope John Paul II by virtue of the Papal Bull Ad Efficacius.[1] The district bishop, Most Rev. Jesse Eugenio Mercado, D.D., also one of the auxiliary bishops of Manila, was designated as its first bishop and was formally installed on January 28, 2003.

Diocese of Parañaque

Dioecesis Paranaquensis

Diyosesis ng Parañaque
Diócesis de Parañaque
Cathedral-Parish of Saint Andrew (Parañaque Cathedral)
Coat of arms
Location
CountryPhilippines
TerritoryParañaque City
Las Piñas City
Muntinlupa City
Ecclesiastical provinceManila
Headquarters8 Villonco Road, West Service Road
Sucat, Muntinlupa 1770
Coordinates14.4488371°N 121.0405263°E / 14.4488371; 121.0405263
Statistics
Area126 km2 (49 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics		(as of 2013 (2013))
2,534,321
2,234,786 (94%)
Parishes50 (4 diocesan shrines, 3 national shrines)
Churches58
Congregations18
Schools12
Information
DenominationCatholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
EstablishedDecember 7, 2002 (2002-12-07)
CathedralSaint Andrew's Parish
Patron saintAndrew the Apostle
Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Palanyag
Current leadership
PopeFrancis
BishopMost Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, DD STL
Vicar GeneralVery Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon, PC, VG

The diocese comprises 50 full-fledged parishes (4 of which are pronounced diocesan shrines, 3 of which are national shrines), 2 quasi-parishes, and 1 non-parochial shrine. The Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Palanyag - Saint Andrew Cathedral-Parish in La Huerta, Parañaque serves as the episcopal see of the diocese.

Statistics

As of 2007, the diocese has 2,234,786 Roman Catholics out of a total population of 2.53 million.[2]

Diocesan Seal

The miter symbolizes the pastoral authority of the bishop, which he exercises within the three cities: Parañaque (an "M" in a crown); Las Piñas (the Bamboo Organ); and Muntinlupa (the mountains over water), comprising the Diocese of Parañaque.

Bishop's Coat of Arms
  • The Cross – The cross is traditionally an element in most episcopal coats of arms. The Episcopal ministry is always Jesus' ministry and the bishop is only a servant of Jesus, collaborating in His ministry.
  • The Staff with lilies – The staff is traditionally the symbol of the pastoral authority of the bishop. The lilies denote St. Joseph, patron of the seminary from which the bishop had had his formation (San Jose Seminary, Quezon City). The bishop envisions his pastoral role as patterned after St. Joseph himself, who acted in a fatherly manner to Jesus, who was entrusted to him and Mary by the heavenly Father.
  • The Crown with an "M" – Mary is hailed as Queen in Heaven. But she exercises her queenship as a mother to her children entrusted to her by God. Moreover, Mary is the patroness of Parañaque, venerated under the title Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso de Palanyag, the first city of the diocese.
  • The Bamboo Organ – The Bamboo Organ is an internationally acclaimed musical instrument currently housed in the Parish of St. Joseph. This symbolizes the second city under the bishop's pastoral administration – the city of Las Piñas.
  • The small mountain near a body of water – This is the symbol of the third city under the pastoral care of the bishop, namely, Muntinlupa City.
  • The Motto – "CONFIRMA FRATRES TUOS" – Taken from the gospel of Luke 22:32 wherein Jesus expressed his hope that after Peter's denial and subsequent conversion, he is commanded to strengthen his brethren (strengthen your brethren).
  • The color schemes – Green refers us to St. Joseph whose fatherly care to the Holy Family earned him the title patron of the Universal Church. The blue field on the other hand, refers us to Mary, who, given to the care of Joseph, conceived the child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (red shade). The movement from dark to bright as seen in the area of Muntinlupa is the hope that through the bishop's humble ministry, the "dawn from on high (Jesus Christ) will come upon us all" in the diocese.

References
Notes
  1. w2.vatican.va (PDF) http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/la/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_20021207_paranaquensis.pdf. Retrieved 2018-12-31. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Cheney, David. "Statistics, Diocese of Parañaque". Retrieved 2007-08-31.
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