Catholic Church in Philippines

The Latest

The Vatican on March 16, 2024, determined that nothing prevents the opening of the cause for canonization of Niña Ruiz-Abad, a 13-year-old girl who died in 1993 in the Philippines and whose grave has become a place of pilgrimage.

Vatican authorizes opening of cause for canonization for 13-year-old Filipina girl

Mar 18, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The grave of Niña Ruiz-Abad, a 13-year-old girl who died in 1993 in the Philippines, has become a place of... Read more

The second floor of St. Peter the Apostle Church in San José del Monte in the Philippines collapsed during Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 14, 2024.

Church floor in Philippines collapses on Ash Wednesday, killing 1 and injuring dozens

Feb 15, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Witnesses reportedly heard a loud noise and then screams from the people who fell from the balcony and from some... Read more

A Catholic devotee kisses the glass cover of the Black Nazarene statue during the annual procession for the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 9, 2024. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful swarmed a historic statue of Jesus Christ as it was pulled through the streets of the Philippine capital in one of the world’s biggest displays of religious devotion.

Black Nazarene procession in the Philippines draws millions after returning from COVID

Jan 9, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Black Nazarene procession in the Philippines, one of the largest religious devotions in the world, returned this year to... Read more

Cardinal Thomas Aquinas Manyo Maeda of Osaka, Japan.

Catholic Church reportedly closer to getting its first samurai saint

Dec 23, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The Vatican is currently investigating miracles associated with the intercession of Blessed Justus Ukon Takayama. Read more

Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators (background) look for evidence after a bomb attack at Mindanao State University in Marawi in the southern Philippines on Dec. 3, 2023.

Pope Francis prays for victims of bombing of Catholic Mass in the Philippines

Dec 4, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Dec. 3 blast in a university gymnasium. Read more

Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators look for evidence after a bomb attack at a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi, Lanao del sur province in the southern Philippines on Dec. 3, 2023. At least three people were killed and seven wounded, officials said.

At least three killed in explosion during Mass on Philippine campus

Dec 3, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

Authorities are investigating whether Islamic insurgents were responsible for the blast. Read more

Fathers Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva (left) and Albert Alejo speak to the media before appearing for court on Feb. 11, 2021, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Filipino priests acquitted of sedition charges

Sep 8, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Father Albert Alejo, SJ, and Father Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva, a priest of the Society of the Divine Word, were acquitted... Read more

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and pilgrims from the Philippines at the 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal

Cardinal Tagle to young Filipinos: ‘Only Jesus will make us true influencers’

Aug 4, 2023

By Roy Lagarde

Speaking to young Filipino pilgrims at World Youth Day in Lisbon, the cardinal expressed hope they would find a way... Read more

More than 100,000 faithful gathered Jan. 8, 2023, to venerate the “Black Nazarene” in the Philippines after a two-year suspension of the traditional procession due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

‘Black Nazarene’ procession in the Philippines draws over 100,000 two years after pandemic

Jan 10, 2023

By CNA Staff

The origin of the image dates back to 1607, when the wooden image representing Christ bent under the weight of... Read more

The Salamat Maria exhibit at Ali Mall in Quezon City.

Filipino mall exhibits more than 50 images of the Virgin Mary to celebrate her nativity

Sep 8, 2022

By Diego López Marina

The oldest major shopping center in the Philippines is exhibiting more than 50 Marian images to celebrate the feast of... Read more

A display opposing the passage of the anti-terrorism law under which the nuns have been charged, at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, June 17, 2020.

Filipino nuns charged with funding terrorists deny links to communist group

Sep 2, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A group of Filipino nuns has strongly denied any connection with terrorist activities after facing charges last month brought by... Read more

Archbishop Teofilo Camomot

Pope Francis advances sainthood cause of Filipino bishop known for bilocation

May 21, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope also approved the canonization of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini. Read more

A girl praying at the Basilica del Santo Niño in Cebu, Philippines in 2019.

Fearful of world war, Philippines' bishops to join Pope Francis’ consecration of Russia and Ukraine

Mar 17, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Voicing concern that the far-away conflict in Europe will have consequences in Asia, the Catholic bishops of the Philippines, one... Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Jan. 5, 2021.

Pope Francis sends aid to migrants at Belarus border and victims of typhoon in Philippines

Jan 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

Super Typhoon Rai has affected more than 7 million people. Read more

Attendees at a Mass for the feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 16, 2022.

Filipino community in Los Angeles celebrates 500 years of the Santo Niño de Cebú

Jan 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Gomez of Los Angeles said Mass Sunday in honor of the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines, celebrating... Read more

Procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila, January 7, 2010.

Philippines cancels Black Nazarene procession again, citing COVID-19 

Jan 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

Philippine authorities are canceling the country’s “Black Nazarene” procession — an annual event where millions of Catholics accompany a revered... Read more

The Black Nazarene is a centuries-old Filipino devotion.

What is the 'Black Nazarene'? Here's the fascinating history of this centuries-old tradition

Jan 5, 2022

By CNA Staff

Filipino devotion to the image of a dark image of Jesus Christ kneeling on one knee and carrying a large... Read more

The old facade of the diocesan shrine and parish of Our Lady of Grace of the Diocese of Kalookan.

Filipino Catholic priest breeds rabbits to feed poor parishioners

Oct 27, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

An Oblates missionary priest in the Philippines has been breeding rabbits for a year now to feed the poor in... Read more

Cardinal Jose Advincula (right) during the his installation as new prelate of the Archdiocese of Manila on June 24, 2021.

Asian Church leaders vow to listen to faithful as synodal process starts  

Oct 18, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Church leaders across Asia vowed to listen to the faithful as the diocesan phase of the Synod on Synodality started... Read more

null

Filipino Catholics launch movement for ‘righteous elections’

Oct 1, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Faith-based and civil society groups in the Philippines have launched a movement that aims to work for “clean, accurate, responsible... Read more