History of the Diocese of San Carlos

32. History of the Diocese of San Carlos
REMINISCING THE PAST: THE HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN CARLOS
By Fr. Lito de la Paz, Chancellor, Diocese of San Carlos
Way back during the Spanish era, the island of Negros was part of the then Diocese of Jaro when this was created in 1868. Negros stayed under the jurisdiction of the Jaro diocese until 1933, when the Diocese of Bacolod was created and the entire island of Negros was placed under its jurisdiction. When the Diocese of Dumaguete was created in 1955, it was separated from that of Bacolod.[1]
Thus, Negros Island was split into two-dioceses: the Diocese of Bacolod and the Diocese of Dumaguete. Although the creation of the Diocese of Dumaguete unburdened the Diocese of Bacolod of some of its responsibilities the area and the terrain made pastoral work and management of the dioceses difficult but despite this, evangelization progressed.
Thirty-two years later, to ease the pastoral responsibilities required for guiding the two dioceses, the Diocese of Bacolod and the Diocese of Dumaguete were further split into two other dioceses: the Diocese of Kabankalan and the Diocese of San Carlos. On March 30, 1987, the Papal Bull of Erection creating the Diocese of San Carlos was signed.
The areas taken from the Diocese of Bacolod, (from Manapla to Sagay) were predominantly Ilonggo while those taken from the Diocese of Dumaguete (from Escalante City to La Libertad) were predominantly Cebuano. After the formal erection of the Diocese of San Carlos on February 10, 1988, the bishop and clergy had to clarify policies regarding the arancel system which the new diocese would use. The Diocese of San Carlos being a merger of areas from two dioceses (and two ethno-linguistic areas) found itself with two arancel systerms and liturgical celebrations in two languages and different ways of understanding Church. The focus of unity was the celebration of the Eucharist and the bishop. It was agreed then that the parishes in the Diocese of San Carlos, would for the meantime use the arancel systems from their mother dioceses.
The clergy and the faithful also had to have a common understanding of the mission of the diocese. This was later clarified through the approval of the Diocesan Mission Statement. To implement the thrust of the Diocesan Mission, the WESTOY commissions were created. These would handle the Worship, Education, Service, Temporalities and Organizing apostolate and the needs of the Youth in the diocese. With the implementation of the WESTOY programs, the diocese also launched its Tithing Program which would help the diocese finance its work of evangelization and maintain its offices. Vocations to the priesthood were also encouraged through the establishment of a formation house, later St. John Mary Vianney Seminary. Later, a Diocesan Synod was organized to clarify issues concerning the pastoral needs of the diocese and to set up policies and guidelines for the management of the diocese and its parishes.
Under the guidance of its bishops and the clergy and with the cooperation of the laity, the Diocese of San Carlos began and is going on its journey towards the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.

Questions:
1. What strikes you as a meaningful event in the history of our Diocese of San Carlos?
2. Do you feel that you are part in the historical development of our diocese?


1. http://www.cbcponline.net/jurisdictions/san_carlos.html