Philippines

The Latest

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

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

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

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

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

Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary motherhouse, Quezon City, Philippines

8 elderly nuns in Manila succumb to COVID-19; outbreak hits seminary

Sep 22, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary in Manila announced the death of eight elderly nuns who had... Read more

Cardinal Jose Advincula kneels to pray after entering the Manila Cathedral at the start of his installation as the 33rd archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila on June 24, 2021.

Philippine cardinal, 130 nuns, convent staff test positive for COVID-19

Sep 17, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila has tested positive for COVID-19, two days after a religious congregation in the Philippine capital... Read more

President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Filipino bishops condemn country's 'murderous and corrupt public order'

Sep 13, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Three archbishops in the Philippines condemned Sunday what they described as “a murderous and corrupt public order” in the country. Read more

Hospicio de San Jose in Manila. Credit: Tomenbang/Ursua/Villapando via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Catholic nun appeals for help as COVID-19 cases overwhelm Manila orphanage

Aug 24, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

A Catholic nun has appealed for help as COVID-19 cases overwhelm the Hospicio de San Jose, an orphanage run by... Read more

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church in Manila, Philippines, is the archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament.

Philippines to hold online Eucharistic meeting as pandemic prevents travel to Budapest

Aug 13, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Philippines bishops announced they will hold an online Eucharistic congress in solidarity with the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest... Read more

Filipino children pray during a March of Saints.

Philippine Catholic Church inks documents with nationalist Church for reconciliation, common baptism

Aug 5, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The Church leaders vowed that through “spiritual ecumenism,” they would encourage joint activities in prayer services, such as the celebration... Read more

Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz proudly displays her Olympics gold medal and the Miraculous Medal, a devotional medallion depicting the Virgin Mary.

Gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz inspires the Philippines with her victory and Catholic devotion

Jul 27, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

After completing her final lift in a very close competition, Diaz burst into tears, clutched at the Miraculous Medal of... Read more

Cardinal Jose Advincula of Manila (right) is led to his cathedra inside the 
Manila Cathedral by Archbishop Charles Brown, papal nuncio to the 
Philippines, during the cardinal's installation as new prelate of the 
Archdiocese of Manila on June 24, 2021.

Philippine bishops support pope’s letter on traditional liturgies

Jul 22, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a statement on Thursday supporting Pope Francis’ motu proprio Traditionis custodes, which... Read more

Bishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David of Kalookan, who was elected president of the Filipino bishops' conference July 8, speaks in Manila Sept. 1, 2019. Credit: Gerard Carreon for LiCAS.news.

Filipino bishops elect government critic as conference president

Jul 9, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The Filipino bishops’ conference on Thursday elected Bishop Pablo Virgilio Siongco David of Kalookan, a staunch critic of the government’s... Read more

Cardinal Jose Advincula (right) is led to his cathedra inside the Manila Cathedral by Archbishop Charles Brown, papal nuncio to the Philippines, during his installation as new prelate of the Archdiocese of Manila on June 24, 2021.

New Manila prelate vows to be a ‘listening shepherd’ to his flock

Jun 25, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Cardinal Jose Advincula, the new archbishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, vowed to be “a listening shepherd” as he starts... Read more

Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and His Holiness Pope Francis view the gifts at the Sala dei Papi of the Apostolic Palace during the Philippine president’s private audience with the pope in the Vatican on Dec. 04, 2015.

Philippine Catholic Church leaders honor departed former president

Jun 24, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

Catholic Church leaders in the Philippines honored the country’s former president, Benigno Aquino III, who died on Thursday, June, 24,... Read more

Fr. Rhoel Gallardo (1965-2000).

Sainthood cause opened for Filipino priest killed by Islamists in 2000

May 7, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Fr. Rhoel Gallardo died after being held for 43 days by the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. Read more

Pope Francis, pictured April 17, 2013. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis sends Easter message to Philippines to mark 500th anniversary of first Mass

Apr 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis sent a video message to mark the 500 year anniversary of the first Mass on Philippine soil on... Read more

Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula

Pope Francis names Cardinal Tagle’s successor in Manila archdiocese

Mar 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Jose Fuerte Advincula, who received the red hat last November, as the next archbishop of... Read more