File:The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Malolos.png

The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Malolos

The Diocese of Malolos is the bishopric (Latin church jurisdiction) of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Malolos Cathedral is the Diocese’s matrice. It covers the entire Province of Bulacan and Valenzuela City.

The current Bishop of Malolos, Dennis C. Villarojo has served since August 21, 2019, following his appointment by Pope Francis on May 14, 2019.

File:Virgen Inmaculada Concepción de Malolos.jpg

Virgen Inmaculada Concepción de Malolos

The Diocese’s Conception, 1961

The Diocese was separated from the Archdiocese of Manila on December 11, 1961, after Pope St. John XXIII declared the Christi fidelium. At this time, the cities under the jurisdiction of the Diocese were Baliwag, Malolos, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte, while the towns under it were Angat, Balagtas, Bocaue, Bulakan, Bustos, Calumpit, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Marilao, Norzagaray, Obando, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santa Maria and Valenzuela City, which was formerly called Polo before its separation from Bulacan.

The Diocese’s Establishment, 1962

Its formal establishment took place on March 11, 1962, during the induction of Manuel P. del Rosario, the former Bishop of Calbayog, as the inaugural bishop of the diocese. Salvatore Siino, the papal nuncio, officiated the installation.

The Golden Jubilee, 2007-2012

5 years before its Golden Jubilee, or 50-year anniversary, the Diocese allocated its resources to the priests, religious, laity, and the youth. It completed 4 Jubilee Projects, Firstly, the Jubilee Shelter Program in Plaridel, Bulacan, dedicated to helping those affected by Super Typhoon Ondoy; the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Malolos City under the Diocesan Curia; the Diocesan Formation Center in Guiguinto, Bulacan. Lastly, the Diocese and the Bahay Pastoral in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, opened their doors to the ill and retired priests.

The Bishops of Malolos

Manuel Platon Del Rosario † (11 Dec 1961 Appointed - 15 Dec 1977 Resigned)
Cirilo Reyes Almario † (15 Dec 1977 Succeeded - 20 Jan 1996 Resigned)
Rolando Octavus Joven Tria Tirona, O.C.D. (14 Dec 1996 Appointed - 28 June 2003 Appointed, Prelate of Infanta)
José Francisco Oliveros † (14 May 2004 Appointed - 11 May 2018 Died)
Dennis Cabanada Villarojo (14 May 2019 Appointed - )