Creation of the New Diocese
Creation of the New Diocese
After more than 300 years under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Manila, the Diocese of
Imus was erected for the entire province of Cavite by virtue of the Apostolic Constitution
“Christi Fidelium” dated November 25, 1961. His Holiness, Pope John XIII, separated Cavite from
Manila, creating the independent Diocese of Imus with the Ntra. Senora del Pilar as titular
patroness. On December 3, 1961, the newspaper, Filipinas, reported that the Apostolic Nunciature
released the news of the creation of the new Diocese as suffragan of Manila and the
bishop-elect, Most Rev. Artemio Casas, would be its first Bishop.
After Christmas, the Archbishop of Manila, Rufino Cardinal Santos, lost no time initiating the
fundraising for the construction of the Bishop’s Palace and the renovation of the church of
Imus, which would be the Cathedral church. On January 13, 1962, the Cardinal met the clergy of
Cavite under the Vicar Forane, Msgr. Pedro Abad, and some prominent faithful of Cavite. By
February 14, 1962, the construction officially began.
In 1945, St. Joseph Educational Institution was opened by the Augustinian Recollect Sisters upon
the request of Cavite City’s parish priest, Msgr. Pedro Lerena, DP. It was built at the back of
San Roque Parish Church. It was later renamed St. Joseph College. In the same year, the ICM
Sisters opened the Infant Jesus Academy in Silang. In 1957, the St. Michael Institute in Bacoor
was opened. More schools would be opened in 1965; St. Gregory in Indang; Jesus, Good Shepherd
School in Imus; St. Augustine School in Mendez; St. Mary Magdalene in Kawit; St. Augustine in
Tanza. Once, the Religious of the Good Shepherd had their Maryridge School in Tagaytay City. It
was an exclusive school for girls. Most of the girls lived as intern in that school. Besides the
St. Joseph College, there are still two higher schools of learning, the San Sebastian College
Recoletos established in 1966 by the Recollect Fathers in Cavite City and the De La Salle
University in Dasmariñas established in the ‘80s. today, there are around 14 parochial schools
and 12 schools run by religious congregations.
On February 24, 1962, His Excellency, Most Rev. Artemio Casas, D.D., was solemnly consecrated as
Bishop at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Manila. The clergy of Cavite paid their homage to their
new bishop.
On March 24, 1962, the people of Imus and the representatives of the different towns of Cavite
met in Imus under the leadership of the Vicar General, Msgr. Pedro Abad. Committees were set up
and plans were made for the canonical erection of the Diocese and the installation of the new
Bishop.
On April 26, 1962, the clergy, government officials, and the people of Cavite Province gathered
at Zapote junction to meet their new Bishop and the Cardinal with their entourage. Governor
Delfin Montano gave the symbolic key of the province of Cavite to Bishop Artemio Casas. A
colorful motorcade going to Imus followed. Afterwards, the liturgical ceremonies commenced.
“On January 13, 1962, the Cardinal met the clergy of Cavite under the Vicar Forane, Msgr. Pedro Abad, and some prominent faithful of Cavite. On February 24, 1962, His Excellency, Most Rev. Artemio Casas, D.D., was solemnly consecrated as Bishop at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Manila. The clergy of Cavite paid their homage to their new bishop. On March 24, 1962, the people of Imus and the representatives of the different towns of Cavite met in Imus under the leadership of the Vicar General, Msgr. Pedro Abad. Committees were set up and plans were made for the canonical erection of the Diocese and the installation of the new Bishop."
At the entrance of the Cathedral, the new Bishop was met by Msgr. Abad. After kissing the
crucifix held by the latter and the sprinkling of the holy water and incensation, the Bishop and
his entourage proceeded to the altar. Cardinal Santos was fetched from the Bishop’s Palace and
was also accorded the same ceremonies. The rite of the canonical erection of the new Diocese
followed accordingly. Then the Cardinal installed the new Bishop.
A few days after his installation, Bishop Casas immediately appointed the Board of Consultors,
who would help him govern the Diocese. Msgr. Pedro Abad was appointed Vicar General. Very Rev.
Hernando Godoy was appointed Chancellor; Very Rev. Baraquiel Mojica became the Oeconomous. Other
members of the Board were the Vicar Forane, Very Rev. Gabriel Hocson, Very Rev. Domingo
Francisco, Very Rev. Mauro de Leon, and Very Rev. Eulogio San Juan.
On September 15, 1962, during the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Bishop’s residence and the
Diocesan Curia were solemnly blessed by His Eminence, Rufino Cardinal Santos.
Significantly, the first ordination of a Caviteño priest was held after the canonical erection
of the Diocese. Fr. Avelino Sapida of Dasmariñas, Cavite was ordained by Bishop Artemio Casas,
D.D., on December 30, 1963. During this time, most Caviteño seminarians received their formation
from various seminaries in Manila like the UST Central Seminary and the San Carlos Conciliar
Seminary.
Out of a handful number of Cavite clergy, eight were raised to the dignity of Domestic Prelate
by Pope Paul VI. On November 20, 1964, the solemn investiture of the eight new monsignori was
held at the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral with Bishop Casas, D.D., as the Investing Prelate.
Honored as Monsignori were Frs. Pedro Abad, Pedro Lerena, Eulogio San Juan, Mauro de Leon,
Francisco Domingo, Gabriel Hocson, Baraquiel Mojica, and Hernando Godoy.
“At the entrance of the Cathedral, the new Bishop was met by Msgr. Abad. After kissing the crucifix held by the latter and the sprinkling of the holy water and incensation, the Bishop and his entourage proceeded to the altar. Cardinal Santos was fetched from the Bishop’s Palace and was also accorded the same ceremonies. The rite of the canonical erection of the new Diocese followed accordingly. Then the Cardinal installed the new Bishop."
Bishop Artemio Casas and La Salle Brothers
Bishop Artemio Casas
Bishop Casas giving his speech
Blessing by Bishop Casas
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (1)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (2)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (3)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (4)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (5)
Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Auto Pass
Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Menu
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Programme - Testimonial Banquet (2)
Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Programme - Testimonial Banquet
Cardinal Santos with the clergy and children of Cavite
Christi Fidelium - Document
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Clergy Day of Different Manila Suffragan Dioceses (1)
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Clergy Day of Different Manila Suffragan Dioceses (2)
Clergy of Cavite on the 1st Anniversary of the Diocese
DOI - 1961 - Invitation
DOI - Inauguration Programme
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DOI - Inauguration- Ribbons (2)
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DOI - Inauguration- Ribbons (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (1)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (4)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (5)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas (4)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas (5)
DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese (4)
DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (1)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (4)
DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas
DOI - News Articles - Installation of Bishop Casas
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DOI - News Articles - Monsinogres (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Monsinogres (3)
DOI - News Articles - Monsinogres
DOI - News Articles - Planning of Cavite Clergy
Entry of Bishop Casas in the cathedral
Fr. Casas with Archbishop Michael O'Doherty
Imus Cathedral Bishop Residence Plans
Invitation - Bishop Casas
Invitation to Committee - Letter
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Invitation to Sponsor Letter (2)
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Invitation to Sponsor Letter (3)
Invitation to Sponsor Letter
Jubilee Pastoral Letter - Bishop Casas
Monsinogres of Cavite
Monsinogri Investiture - Invitation
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Monsinogri Investiture - Pictures (2)
Monsinogri Investiture - Pictures
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme (2)
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme (3)
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme (4)
Monsinogri Investiture - Programme
Report on the Construction of the Bishop Residence
Souvernir Program - Back
Souvernir Program - Front
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Bishop Artemio Casas and La Salle Brothers
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Bishop Artemio Casas
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Bishop Casas giving his speech
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Blessing by Bishop Casas
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (1)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (2)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (3)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (4)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence (5)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Auto Pass
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Menu
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Programme - Testimonial Banquet (2)
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Blessing of the Bishop Residence - Programme - Testimonial Banquet
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Cardinal Santos with the clergy and children of Cavite
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Christi Fidelium - Document
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Clergy Day of Different Manila Suffragan Dioceses (1)
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Clergy Day of Different Manila Suffragan Dioceses (2)
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Clergy of Cavite on the 1st Anniversary of the Diocese
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DOI - 1961 - Invitation
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DOI - Inauguration Programme
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DOI - Inauguration- Ribbons (2)
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DOI - Inauguration- Ribbons (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (1)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (4)
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DOI - News Articles - Chancery Announcements (5)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas (4)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas (5)
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DOI - News Articles - Consecration of Bishop Casas
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese (4)
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DOI - News Articles - Erection of the Diocese
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (1)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas (4)
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DOI - News Articles - Inauguration of Bishop Casas
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DOI - News Articles - Installation of Bishop Casas
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DOI - News Articles - Monsinogres (2)
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DOI - News Articles - Monsinogres (3)
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DOI - News Articles - Monsinogres
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DOI - News Articles - Planning of Cavite Clergy
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Entry of Bishop Casas in the cathedral
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Fr. Casas with Archbishop Michael O'Doherty
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Imus Cathedral Bishop Residence Plans
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Invitation - Bishop Casas
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Invitation to Committee - Letter
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Invitation to Sponsor Letter (2)
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Invitation to Sponsor Letter (3)
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Invitation to Sponsor Letter
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Jubilee Pastoral Letter - Bishop Casas
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Monsinogres of Cavite
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Monsinogri Investiture - Invitation
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Monsinogri Investiture - Pictures (2)
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Monsinogri Investiture - Pictures
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme (2)
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme (3)
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme (4)
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Monsinogri Investiture - Programme
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Report on the Construction of the Bishop Residence
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Souvernir Program - Back
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Souvernir Program - Front
