Catholic Church in Philippines

The Latest

Pope Francis celebrates Gaudete Sunday Mass with Rome's Filipino community Dec. 15, 2019.

Pope Francis celebrates a Filipino Christmas tradition at the Vatican

Dec 15, 2019

By Courtney Mares

On Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated a Filipino Christmas tradition in St. Peter’s Basilica -- the Simbang Gabi Christmas novena.  Read more

Fr. Raniel Berdos, CS. Courtesy photo.

From the Philippines, a missionary in Tokyo

Nov 27, 2019

On Sundays, Fr. Raniel Berdos can be found strolling the aisles of St. Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo.  Read more

Bishop: Philippines must end ‘sad reality’ of child labor

Nov 7, 2019

A Catholic bishop in the Philippines is drawing attention to the ongoing problem of child labor in the country, urging... Read more

Residents are evacuated from a damaged condominium building after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit Davao City in the southern island of Mindanao on October 31, 2019.

After two major Philippines quakes, Catholic bishops call for prayers and aid

Oct 31, 2019

Catholic bishops have appealed for prayers and aid for earthquake victims after two strong earthquakes hit the Philippines in the... Read more

In Philippines, bishop calls for mental health approach to drug problems

Oct 12, 2019

Amid a United Nations investigation into a brutal “war on drugs” by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, a Catholic bishop is... Read more

Vaccine.

Amid Philippines polio outbreak, bishop encourages vaccines, education

Sep 24, 2019

A Catholic bishop in the Philippines called for a strong response from the government to fight poliovirus, following an announcement... Read more

An inspection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Philippines, Jan. 28, 2019, a day after suicide bombs exploded at the church.

Indonesian police identify couple responsible for attack on Filipino cathedral

Jul 25, 2019

Indonesian authorities released Tuesday the names of a couple whom they believe to have orchestrated a January terrorist attack on... Read more

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo was the site of a terrorist attack Jan. 27, 2019.

Six months after terror attack, Philippines cathedral packed at rededication

Jul 23, 2019

Despite the fresh memory of a deadly terrorist attack in January, the rededication Mass of the Cathedral of Our Lady... Read more

United Nations headquarters in New York City. Via Shutterstock

UN approves investigation into drug war in the Philippines

Jul 12, 2019

The UN Human Rights Council has approved a resolution to launch an investigation into the violent war on drugs taking... Read more

President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Caritas head applauds Philippines new anti-poverty measure

May 29, 2019

A new law in the Philippines to support those living in poverty has won the praise of Caritas Manila, a... Read more

Philippine Catholics lead AIDS memorial event

May 20, 2019

Filipino Catholic leaders in the central province of Iloilo held an AIDS memorial event over the weekend, to raise awareness... Read more

Cross of the Martyrs.

God will provide strength through persecution, new Filipino bishop says

May 9, 2019

A new bishop in the Philippines has called for Catholics to show courage in the face of violence and persecution.  Read more

St. Catherine of Alexandria church in Porac was damaged when an April 23 earthquake struck the Philippines.

Bishops pray for victims of earthquakes in Philippines

Apr 24, 2019

Catholic leaders have offered prayers for the Philippines after two earthquakes struck the region this week.  Read more

Saudi Arabia flag.

Bishop objects to death sentence for Filipino woman in Saudi Arabia

Mar 5, 2019

A bishop in the Philippines is speaking out against the death penalty of a Filipino woman who has been condemned... Read more

The inside of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Philippines Jan. 27, 2019. Photo: WESMINCOM Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Twenty killed in explosions during Mass in Philippines cathedral

Jan 27, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

At least 20 people were killed and 111 wounded after two bombs exploded minutes apart during Sunday Mass in a... Read more

President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Duterte open to dialogue with bishops after suggesting Filipinos kill them

Jan 16, 2019

A government spokesman said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is open to dialogue with the country’s bishops, after the president recently... Read more

Pilgrims take part in the 2019 Black Nazarene procession in Manila.

Cardinal Tagle at Black Nazarene celebration: Be a devotee, not a fanatic

Jan 9, 2019

Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila told pilgrims at a popular annual procession in the Philippines to take caution against becoming... Read more

Manila Cathedral.

The most commonly read book in the Philippines? Survey says: the Bible

Dec 18, 2018

A recent survey found that the Bible is the most frequently read book in the Philippines.  Read more

American priest arrested in the Philippines for sexual abuse

Dec 5, 2018

An American priest was arrested in the Philippines Wednesday, amid allegations that he sexually assaulted dozens of boys over a... Read more