Diocese of Sorsogon

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Bishop(s) Arturo Mandin Bastes, S.V.D., Bishop Jesus Y. Varela, Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Erected: 29 June 1951 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Caceres (Nueva Caceres) Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Philippines Square Kilometers: 2,141 (826 Square Miles) Description: Comprises the province of Sorsogon Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7, Padre Pedro Licup Hall, Sorsogon City, 4700 Sorsogon, Philippines Telephone: (056)21.11.289 Fax: 21.11.842

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Teopisto Valderrama Alberto † (10 Jul 1952 Appointed - 7 Sep 1959 Appointed, Coadjutor Archbishop of Caceres (Nueva Caceres))
• Arnulfo S. Arcilla † (7 Sep 1959 Appointed - 11 Dec 1979 Resigned)
• Jesus Y. Varela (27 Nov 1980 Appointed - 16 Apr 2003 Retired)
• Arturo Mandin Bastes, S.V.D. (16 Apr 2003 Succeeded - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
29 June 1951	Erected	Diocese of Nueva Caceres	Diocese of Sorsogon (erected)
23 March 1968	Territory Lost	Diocese of Sorsogon	Diocese of Masbate (erected)

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
1970	444,142	497,786	89.2%	54	1	55	8,075		1	42	21	ap1971
1980	459,000	512,000	89.6%	41		41	11,195			46	23	ap1981
1990	564,395	606,877	93.0%	50	5	55	10,261		5	48	25	ap1991
1999	570,810	633,715	90.1%	67	10	77	7,413		110	82	26	ap2000
2000	578,437	641,320	90.2%	65	10	75	7,712		98	77	26	ap2001
2001	606,048	673,386	90.0%	67	10	77	7,870		98	62	26	ap2002
2002	631,665	664,911	95.0%	75	10	85	7,431		87	65	26	ap2003
2003	639,580	673,243	95.0%	67	14	81	7,896		115	107	26	ap2004
2004	651,930	688,903	94.6%	66	14	80	8,149		35	105	26	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Teopisto Valderrama Alberto † (Bishop: 10 Jul 1952 to 7 Sep 1959)
• Arnulfo S. Arcilla † (Bishop: 7 Sep 1959 to 11 Dec 1979)
• Arturo Mandin Bastes, S.V.D. (Coadjutor Bishop: 25 Jul 2002; Bishop: 16 Apr 2003)
• Manuel P. Del Rosario (Priest: 25 Mar 1939 to 24 May 1955)
• José Tomás Sánchez (Priest: 12 May 1946 to 5 Feb 1968)
• Concordio Maria Sarte † (Auxiliary Bishop: 30 Aug 1977 to 12 Aug 1980)
• Jesus Y. Varela (Bishop: 27 Nov 1980 to 16 Apr 2003)