Today, March 11, 2024, marks the 49th Anniversary of the Canonical Erection of the Diocese of Catarman.

In 1971, the provincial board of the Province of Northern Samar passed a resolution requesting the establishment of a separate diocese for Northern Samar with Catarman as its episcopal see, addressed to His Holiness, Pope Paul VI through the Papal Nuncio.

On December 5, 1974, Pope Paul VI issued the Papal Bull “Quae Ampliores Exspectantur,” officially establishing the Diocese of Catarman. The Pope appointed Msgr. Angel T. Hobayan as its first bishop, who was formally installed on March 11, 1975. The Papal Nuncio at that time, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, declared the creation of the Diocese of Catarman.

Currently, the Diocese of Catarman is under the leadership of Bishop Nolly C. Buco, who serves as the Apostolic Administrator. Bishop Buco assumed this role after Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance retired early on December 8, 2023. The diocese encompasses 484,000 Catholics across 30 parishes.

Quae Ampliores Exspectantur

Today, March 11, 2024, marks the 49th Anniversary of the Canonical Erection of the Diocese of Catarman.

In 1971, the provincial board of the Province of Northern Samar passed a resolution requesting the establishment of a separate diocese for Northern Samar with Catarman as its episcopal see, addressed to His Holiness, Pope Paul VI through the Papal Nuncio.

On December 5, 1974, Pope Paul VI issued the Papal Bull “Quae Ampliores Exspectantur,” officially establishing the Diocese of Catarman. The Pope appointed Msgr. Angel T. Hobayan as its first bishop, who was formally installed on March 11, 1975. The Papal Nuncio at that time, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, declared the creation of the Diocese of Catarman.

Currently, the Diocese of Catarman is under the leadership of Bishop Nolly C. Buco, who serves as the Apostolic Administrator. Bishop Buco assumed this role after Bishop Emmanuel C. Trance retired early on December 8, 2023. The diocese encompasses 484,000 Catholics across 30 parishes.