The Secular Foundations

Before their expulsion from the Philippines in 1768, the Jesuits had evangelized almost all towns of Cavite Province. When they left Cavite, most of their parishes were turned over to the secular clergy. The old parishes of Silang, Indang, Maragondon, Naic, and Cavite Viejo were given to diocesan priests. However, there were also many parishes, which were given the secular clergy since their very foundation like the one in Cavite Puerto, the Parish of San Pedro Apostol, established between 1586 and 1591; it was given to the Recollects only during the later part of the Spanish regime and the San Roque, which was created by the Royal Cedula of March 10, 1688.

On January 18, 1752, Bacoor was created as an independent parish by a Royal Cedula. It was administered by secular clergy, Fr. Joseph Jimenez, who was also one of the earliest known parish priests of Bacoor. San Francisco de Malabon was created as an independent parish by the Royal Cedula of September 9, 1753. However, there are some data, which say as early as 1661 there were already secular priests assigned in the place. In 1769, the old church was demolished, and a new one was built with the help of Doña Maria Josepha de Yrruzarri y Ursua, Condesa de Lizarraga who had an hacienda in the town. Just like San Francisco de Malabon, Sta. Cruz de Malabon (Tanza) was also a secular foundation. As early as 1768, a secular priest, Fr. Antonio Flores, had been assigned as chaplain of the place.

Fr. Francisco Nayto was assigned by the archbishop to solemnize baptism. Finally, on August 29, 1780, it was created as an independent parish with Fr. Narciso Manas as the parish priest. Imus was a visita from 1775 to 1795. It was for the meantime given to the secular clergy. However, when it was created as an independent parish on October 3, 1795, it was given to the Recollect friars. Naic, though under the Jesuits was created as a parish in 1796 with the secular clergy as parish priest. In 1797, Fr. Joseph de los Reyes was authorized to construct a church of stone

In the nineteenth century more parishes in Cavite were established and were administered by secular clergy. Rosario in 1846; Carmona in 1857; Bailen in 1858; Alfonso in 1859; Mendez Nunez, quite a strange parish for it had three days of foundation. It is said that the parish was created on December 23, 1879. The Royal Order creating the parish was dated December 17, 1880, while the Superior Decree Ordering the implementation of the Order for the creation of the parish was dated February 17, 1881. On March 14, 1881, it was given to a secular priest, Fr. Pascual Roque. However, on April 30, 1881, it was given to a Dominican, Fr. Santiago Roy. The parish of Magallanes was created as a parish by the Royal Order of March 3, 1882, under the administration of the secular clergy. However, the actual establishment came between 1883 and 1884.

In 1853, the prominent residents and tenants of the Recollect, owned Hacienda de San Nicolas de Tolentino, requested that Barrio San Nicolas, together with Aniban, Ligas, Mambog, and Niog be made an independent town and parish. In July 1853, the barrio residents reiterated their request to the politico military governor of Cavite. In 1854, a letter signed by the principalia of the barrio mentioned that Governor General Don Manuel Pavia y Lacy, Marquez de Novaliches, after whom the new town was named, disapproved the act for reason of delicadeza. The archbishop received the note of the governor and declared that the establishment of the new town and parish had not taken place.

Among the 19th Century foundation, parishes like Amadeo (1884) and Dasmariñas were both founded by the Augustinian Recollect.

It seemed that the secular clergy in Cavite did very well for in 1824, the secular Filipino priest, Fr. Mariano Gomez de los Angeles, was appointed Vicar Forane for the entire province of Cavite, a position so important and delicate. Fr. Gomez occupied this post until his death in 1872. At that time, such appointment was rare. Indios were given such high positions if they showed exceptional abilities and extraordinary qualities, otherwise they would have to contend with being coadjutors or priest-sacristans. Fr. Gomez was an exemplary administrator. He visited parishes under his care. He saw to it that the wishes of the archbishop are strictly implemented. Spaniards as well as Filipinos were treated with fairness. He was never afraid to criticize even the Spanish curas when they were wrong. His comments on the parish priests request to the archbishop for acquisitions and repairs were characterized by sound knowledge of building materials and constant exhortation to make the most out of the fund.

In his own parish, Fr. Gomez was very solicitous of the needs of his parishioners. He introduced salt-making in Bacoor to further improve the living condition of his people. Bacoor was constantly raided by bandits. When Luis Parang, the notorious tulisan of Imus, surrendered to the Kawit Governadorcillo, Fr. Gomez acted as mediator. Fr. Gomez once also had his dilemma. In one of the conflicts between the friars and the tenants of the hacienda, Fr. Gomez realized that the Recollects were arbitrary in the collection of land rent. Although he considered it his duty to help the people, being a Filipino and a town parish priest at the same time, it was difficult for him to take a definite stand during this controversy.

“ It seemed that the secular clergy in Cavite did very well for in 1824, the secular Filipino priest, Fr. Mariano Gomez de los Angeles, was appointed Vicar Forane for the entire province of Cavite, a position so important and delicate. Fr. Gomez occupied this post until his death in 1872. At that time, such appointment was rare. Fr. Gomez was an exemplary administrator. He visited parishes under his care. He saw to it that the wishes of the archbishop are strictly implemented. Spaniards as well as Filipinos were treated with fairness"

Though Fr. Gomez was not a Caviteño by birth, he was always treated by Caviteños as one of them for his eldest sister, Maria Dolores Gomez, was married to Jose Trias, the grandfather of Gen. Mariano Trias who would later figure in the Philippine Revolution.

During the second half of the 19th Century, many parishes held by Filipino secular priests were being turned over to the friars. Fr. Pedro Pelaez, the treasurer of the Cathedral Chapter of Manila and Vicar Capitular of Manila, championed the rights of the secular clergy; Fr. Gomez was one of his closest associates in their campaign. He actively supported the likes of Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora in their activities for the benefit of Filipino priests. Protests were sent to the Madrid Government to the consternation of the Spanish friars. When labor unrest erupted in Cavite Puerto on January 20, 1872, the three Filipino secular priests, Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Joses Burgos, and Fr. Jacinto Zamora were implicated by friars in this conflict. After a trial surrounded by fraud, the three priests were executed by garrote at Luneta on February 17, 1872. The Archbishop of Manila, believing that the three priests were innocent, refused to defrock them. However, the death of Fr. Mariano Gomez, parish priest of Bacoor, would have a very strong bearing on the Aglipayan Schism in Bacoor.

Another notable parish priest in Cavite was Fr. Modesto de Castro, the former parish priest of Naic, Cavite. He was a prolific writer. He has written various devotional books and sermons. But he was even famous for his 196-page book “Pagsusulatan ni Urbana at ni Feliza na pagcacalaman ng Magandang asal ucol sa pagharap sa capuoa tauo” printed by the Sto. Tomas Printing Press in 1864. It was a compilation of 34 letters on etiquette, on personal deportment, and family relationship.

The tireless efforts of the Spanish missionaries to proclaim the teachings of Christ to the Caviteños were never in vain. Towards the end of the Spanish era, though Cavite had a very negative picture as “madre de los ladrones,” the Caviteños had become deeply religious people. Many sons of Cavite answered the call to the priesthood.

“Another notable parish priest in Cavite was Fr. Modesto de Castro, the former parish priest of Naic, Cavite. He was a prolific writer. He has written various devotional books and sermons. But he was even famous for his 196-page book “Pagsusulatan ni Urbana at ni Feliza na pagcacalaman ng Magandang asal ucol sa pagharap sa capuoa tauo” printed by the Sto. Tomas Printing Press in 1864. It was a compilation of 34 letters on etiquette, on personal deportment, and family relationship."

As early as 1654, Cavite can already boast of having ten of her sons ordained as priests. The most notable of them was Fr. Ignacio Gregorio de Manesay; once a member of the Tiples organized by Don Fernando de Valenzuela, Marquez de Villasierra and San Bartolome de los Pinales, Grandee and Prime Minister of Spain, Ignacio de Manesay decided to enter the seminary. When Archbishop Diego de Camacho came, he learned of Ignacio’s presence in the monastery. He brought the young lad with him back to Manila. In 1699, Ignacio of San Roque, Cavite was ordained as a secular priest. He became the secretary of the Archbishop and his main interpreter during his pastoral visits. Later, he decided to become an Augustinian Friar. Being of Filipino-Chinese stock, he became one of the first natives accepted in the Order and the first Filipino-Chinese missionary to China. He wrote some books on guide for missionaries.

Another eminent Caviteño secular priest was Fr. Juan Capistrano who was assigned in Cebu. He was described as an old man, virtuous, meditative, and deserving of the office of priest sacristan of the Cathedral. A Caviteño priest, Fr. Juan Martin, was described as “un cura parroco muy devoto,” while Fr. Juan Garcia was described as “un cura muy intelegente y un poeta.” In contrast with the general impression that the clergy were unworthy and ignorant, the Caviteño clergy proved themselves to be men of talents and holiness.

As early as 1849, the Recollects were given parishes in Cavite by virtue of a Royal decree. Towards the end of the 19th Century, ten parishes of Cavite, which were under the seculars, were given to the Recollects. Some were given to the Dominicans. The turnover of secular parishes to the religious was a safety measure adapted by the Spanish government to ensure the stability of the Spanish administration in the Islands. They learned from their experience in Latin America where native priests became leaders of the revolution for independence. The 19th Century saw more conflicts between the secular and religious clergy as Cavite parishes formerly administered by Filipino clergy were turned over to the Spanish religious orders.