Diocese of Masbate

---

Bishop(s) Joel Zamudio Baylon, Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Erected: 23 March 1968 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Caceres (Nueva Caceres) Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Philippines Square Kilometers: 7,000 (2,703 Square Miles) Description: Comprises the province of Masbate Mailing Address: Masbate City, 5400 Masbate, Philippines Telephone: (056)33.32.202

---

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Porfirio R. Iligan † (17 Jun 1968 Appointed - 14 Feb 1998 Retired)
• Joel Zamudio Baylon (14 Feb 1998 Appointed - )

---

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
23 March 1968	Erected	Diocese of Sorsogon	Diocese of Masbate (erected)

---

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1969	312,129	425,775	73.3%	22		22	14,187			8	20	ap1971
1980	503,755	571,545	88.1%	24		24	20,989			8	21	ap1981
1990	624,000	733,000	85.1%	30		30	20,800			21	21	ap1991
1999	603,555	653,852	92.3%	56		56	10,777			26	22	ap2000
2000	603,555	653,852	92.3%	55	2	57	10,588		2	30	23	ap2001
2001	631,973	685,201	92.2%	57	2	59	10,711		2	30	24	ap2002
2002	631,973	685,201	92.2%	52	2	54	11,703		2	27	25	ap2003
2003	631,973	685,201	92.2%	50	2	52	12,153		2	28	25	ap2004
2004	631,973	685,201	92.2%	51	2	53	11,924		2	34	28	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

---

Affiliated Bishops

• Joel Zamudio Baylon (Bishop: 14 Feb 1998 - )
• Porfirio R. Iligan † (Bishop: 17 Jun 1968 to 14 Feb 1998)