Vatican to review proposal to divide Archdiocese of Cebu - report

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma announced that the proposal to create two new dioceses will be finalized and sent to the Vatican for review, according to a post on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

The Archdiocese of Cebu, which remains the country's largest ecclesiastical territory, will be divided two – north and south dioceses.

Palma, according to the report, said that "all aspects of the plan are currently being examined, including lay consultations and studies to find suitable locations for the new suffragan dioceses."

"We hope to come up with the final picture by January and send it to Rome… that might happen next year," he was quoted as saying.

The proposal will also be presented to the during the second annual plenary assembly next month.

"It's about time that the Mother Church will give birth to local churches," Palma said.

"We pray that it will come soon. Pray that it will be for the glory of God," he added.

The report also mentioned that the late Cardinal Ricardo Vidal also pushed for the creation of new dioceses "for more effective pastoral and administrative oversight of their growing congregations."

The Archdiocese of Cebu currently has four suffragan dioceses, namely: Dumaguete, Maasin, Tagbilaran, and Talibon and has more than 600 priestsand at least 176 parishes.

The auxiliary bishops — Midyphil Billones and Ruben Labajo — are currently helping Archbishop Palma in administration work as well as spiritual leadership.  — BAP, GMA Integrated News