Diocese of Balanga

Diocese of Balanga

Dioecesis Balangensis

Diyosesis ng Balanga
Diócesis de Balanga
Catholic
Coat of arms
Location
Country Philippines
TerritoryBataan
Ecclesiastical provinceSan Fernando
ResidenceBishop's Residence, 41 Paterno Street, Poblacion, Balanga, Bataan
MetropolitanSan Fernando
Coordinates14°40′45″N 120°32′24″E / 14.6792°N 120.5400°E / 14.6792; 120.5400
Statistics
Area1,373 km2 (530 sq mi)
Population
  • Total
  • Catholics
  • (as of 2023)
  • 891,440
  • 863,610 (96.9%)
Parishes38
Schools11
Information
DenominationCatholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
EstablishedMarch 17, 1975 (1975-03-17)
CathedralCathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph
Patron saint
Secular priests64 (34 diocesan and 30 religious priests)
MusicBataan, Bayani, at Banal (2004–present)
Current leadership
PopeLeo XIV
BishopRufino C. Sescon, Jr.
Metropolitan ArchbishopFlorentino G. Lavarias
Vicar GeneralVacant
Judicial VicarHernando B. Guanzon
Bishops emeritusRuperto Cruz Santos
Map
Website
www.facebook.com/balangadiocese/
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The Diocese of Balanga is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, established on March 17, 1975, by Pope Paul VI. The diocese has jurisdiction over the whole province of Bataan, with 38 parishes, 6 diocesan shrines, one minor basilica, chaplaincy, quasi-parish, national shrine and chapel, and 4 vicariates. The Cathedral-Shrine Parish of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary in Aguire Street, serves as the seat of the diocese and office of the Bishop of Balanga, while the bishop's residence is at 41 Paterno Street, Poblacion, Balanga. It is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of San Fernando, Pampanga. The titular patron of the diocese is Saint Joseph, whose feast day falls on March 19. The city's fiesta is celebrated on April 28.

Since March 1, 2025, Rufino Sescon, the former rector of Quiapo Church in Manila, is the fifth and current bishop of the diocese.