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 "...the First Diocesan Pastoral Assembly of the Diocese of Masbate, in one of its orientational decrees, resolved to promote vigorously the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) for the full living of the Christian vocation and that active non-violence shall be the guiding principle in their approach to social change. In the formation of these communities, re-evangelization is to be given the highest priority. To realize this, the participation of the laity, crucial as it is in the task of evangelization, is to be sought. These communities, guided by true Gospel values, are to be shielded from any political or social group that might use them as instruments in pushing its own agenda and ideology, if any. On the whole, all these efforts are to be initiated to help the faithful in their journey towards maturity in the Christian faith." BPC2
 THE OFFICIAL SEAL
OF THE DIOCESE OF MASBATE REV. FR. ERROL G. BATAGA, JR. The Official Seal of the Diocese of Masbate drew its inspiration from the Coats of Arms of the first two Shepherds of the local Church, namely, the late Most Rev. Porfirio R. Iligan, D.D. and the Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, D.D. The dark and bright theme of the seal was obviously influenced by the past and future theme of Bishop Iligan’s Coat of Arms. It envisions a church rocked by tumultuous waves of the ocean but moves towards the tranquil waters of inland habitat to establish herself there and endure forever. The inscription: “Diocesis Masbatensis Insulae Philippinarum”, was taken from the original dry seal used since 1968 for the official documents of the diocese. On the upper left side of the seal is a Star representing Mary who is known as the Stella Maris, and is found in the Coat of Arms of Bishop Baylon. Like a star that guides seafarers to the safety of the shore and to their homes the Blessed Mother also guides us safely to Jesus her Son. The Lily imposed on the islet at the middle right side is symbolic of St. Anthony of Padua, the titular Patron of the diocese. The Galleon depicts the Hispanization and Christianization of Masbate. The Dove is the Holy Spirit that directs the church to its eternal destiny. The Bamboo Cross is a sign of life lived to the full; it is where the loving hands of God touches the helplessness, as well as the sinfulness of humanity in order to reconcile everything to Christ (Cf. Eph 1:10). The Islands are the mainland Masbate and the two smaller islands of Ticao and Burias; these may also be scenes typical of any entry point to the whole ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Atop the main trunk of the seal is the Biretta — a cap which a priest, bishop or cardinal wears. The biretta is placed there to denote headship among the people of God which is proper to ordained ministers alone. The breastplate type encapsulation of the seal calls to mind the words of the Lord to Peter: “...but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers” (Cf. Lk 22:32). The Breastplate, being a kind of armor is cast to safeguard and protect so that the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it (Cf. Mt. 16:18). The following is the complete text of the Papal Bull, Sorsogonensis Dioecesis, issued by His Holiness Pope Paul VI which created the Diocese of Masbate. This was translated from the original Latin by Msgr. Ismael B. Misolas on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the same diocese on September 25, 2008. It was read by Rev. Fr. Errol G. Bataga, Jr., Secretary-Chancellor on that said day in the Mass of Thanksgiving. Paul Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, in memorial of the matter for all time The administration of the diocese of Sorsogon, which is most often in the Philippine Islands, stretches most widely and numerously with people, is such full of work and such heavy to readily govern all Christ’s faithful, that the venerable brother Arrnulfo Arcilla, its Bishop of the Church, proposed that this same diocese be divided with not a small benefit for the souls, and be constituted a new diocese from the dismembered part. For the fact that he had asked from the Apostolic See, after having consulted the Bishops’ Conference of the Philippine Islands, as should be done, we judged that we should accede to the requests, and from the opinion either of the venerable brother Carmine Rocco, titular Archbishop of Justinanopolis in Galatia and Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of the Philippine Islands, or of the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church who are present at the Sacred Congregation for Bishops, the following are decided. From the diocese of Sorsogon we separate the whole territory of the civil province popularly called Masbate, as presently determined by civil law, which includes the Vicariates of St. Anthony of Padua, of St. Vincent Ferrer and of the Finding of the Holy Cross, and in this territory we establish the new diocese, to be called Masbate, and to be marked by the same boundaries as the mentioned civil province. The Episcopal residence of the new diocese will be in the city of Masbate, and the Episcopal teaching seat, with the administrative center, will be in the sacred edifice of St. Anthony of Padua, which we raise to the rank of cathedral church, with due rights. However, apart from the fact that we are giving to the bishop the corresponding rights, we also impose on him obligations that are proper to the residential bishops. Henceforth, the Church of Masbate will be suffragan to the Metropolitan See of Caceres; then its consecrated Bishop will be subject to the metropolitan jurisdiction the Archbishop of Caceres. As regards the Canons, a cathedral college may be founded, however, after other Apostolic Letters are to be given; then the diocesan consultors may be elected, according to the norm of canon law. Concerning the Seminary, the prescriptions of common law should be observed, bearing in mind also the norms of the Vatican II Decree “Optatam Totius” and the peculiar laws of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education. However, the seminary students who are outstanding in gifts of intellect and character, when they are grown-up, should be sent to Rome, in the Philippine Pontifica1 College-Seminary to be trained in philosophical and theological disciplines. The so-called Episcopal table will come from the income of the Chancery, from the contributions of the faithful voluntarily offered; from that part of the goods that will be allocated to the new diocese according to the norm of canon 1500 of the Code of Canon Law. As regards the clergy, we propose that, after having implemented these letters, priests should be enlisted in the same clergy in the diocese in whose territory they have the benefice or office, but the other clerics and seminarians in the diocese in which they legitimately reside. Finally, the Acts and Documents, regarding diocese founded today, should be transferred from the Chancery of Sorsogon to Masbate in the religiously kept archives. The mentioned venerable brother Carmine Rocco, or a man delegated by him, should see to it that these Letters should be implemented; however, he who would bring this matter to the completion should pay attention to the corresponding documents to be written and to be sent to the Sacred Congregation for the Bishops, customarily signed. We would like that this Constitution be effective now and in the future; so that what are decreed through this should be religiously observed by those concerned, and therefore obtain its force. No contrary proviso, of whatever kind, could hinder the effectivity of this Constitution, otherwise through this proviso we may modify all these. Hereafter it is not allowed to anybody to cut or tamper with these documents of our will; rather on the contrary in the copies and points of this Constitution, either printed or handwritten, they should display the seal of the man constituted in ecclesiastical dignity, and likewise should they be posted in some public board, this should have trustworthiness that it has here if shown. Given in Rome, in St. Peter’s, 23rd day of the month of March, in the year of the Lord 1968, in the fifth year of our Pontificate (SGD) Carolus Card. Confalonieri, Prefect, S. Congregation for Bishops (SGD) Aloisius Card. Traglia S. R. E. Chancellor
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