ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILLIPPINES

ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILLIPPINES
Philippine Catholic Church or Philippine Roman Catholic Church
one of the two nations in Asia having a substantial portion of the population professing the Catholic
faith, along with East Timor, and has the third largest Catholic population in the world after Brazil and
Mexico.
The episcopal conference responsible in governing the faith is the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP)
Christianity, through Catholicism, was first brought to the Philippine islands by Spanish pirates,
missionaries and settlers, who arrived in waves beginning in the early 16th century in Cebu by way
of colonization.
 Spanish Era
Starting in the 16th century Spanish pirates and settlers arrived in the Philippines with two major goals:
 to participate in the spice trade which was previously dominated by Portugal, and
 to evangelize nearby civilizations,
While many historians claim that the first Catholic Mass in the islands was held on Easter Sunday, March
31, 1521, on a small island near the present day Bukidnon Province, the exact location is disputed. A
verified Mass was held at the island-port of Mazaua (present-day Limasawa) as recorded by
the Venetian diarist Antonio Pigafetta, who travelled to the islands in 1521 on the Spanish expedition led
by Ferdinand Magellan.
The Philippines is home to many of the world's major religious congregations
During the Spanish colonial period, the five earliest regular orders assigned to Christianize the natives
were the Augustinians, who came with Legazpi, the Discalced Franciscans (1578), the Jesuits (1581),
the Dominican friars (1587) and the Augustinian Recollects (simply called the Recoletos, 1606).
1. Augustinians (Order of St. Augustine - OSA)
The Augustinians were the first missionaries to arrive in the Philippines in 1565, accompanying Miguel
López de Legazpi. They focused on building and organizing communities, constructing roads, bridges, and
churches, and introducing Christian teachings. They are known for establishing some of the oldest towns
and structures, including the famous San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
2. Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor - OFM)
The Discalced Franciscans arrived in 1578 and were characterized by their vow of poverty and simplicity.
They often worked with marginalized groups, such as indigenous communities and lepers. Their mission
was to spread Christianity while emphasizing humility and service. They also built churches and schools
but often avoided owning properties, living in accordance with their ideals of poverty.
3. Jesuits (Society of Jesus - SJ)
The Jesuits came to the Philippines in 1581 and were known for their emphasis on education and
intellectual work. They established prestigious institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University. Jesuit
missionaries were also deeply involved in preaching, writing, and missionary work in remote areas. They
were innovative and strategic, often employing local languages and adapting to native cultures to spread
Christianity effectively.
4. Dominicans (Order of Preachers - OP)
The Dominicans arrived in 1587 and focused on theological education and evangelization. They were
responsible for founding the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest existing university in Asia. They
worked primarily in urban centers and intellectual hubs, spreading Catholic doctrines through preaching
and teaching.
5. Augustinian Recollects (Order of Augustinian Recollects - OAR)
The Recollects arrived in 1606 as a branch of the Augustinian order, emphasizing stricter monastic
discipline and missionary work. They often ventured into remote and difficult-to-reach areas, bringing
Christianity to less accessible communities. They were also involved in education, founding schools like
San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Manila.
 Philippines Church 1980- Present
When the Philippines was placed under Martial Law by 10th president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos
Sr., relations between Church and State changed dramatically, as some bishops expressly and openly
opposed Martial Law.
The turning point came in 1986 when the CBCP President and then-Archbishop of Cebu Cardinal Ricardo
Vidal appealed to the Filipinos and the bishops against the government and the fraudulent result of the
snap election; with him was then-Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Jaimé Sin, who broadcast over church-
owned Radio Veritas a call for people to support anti-regime rebels. The people's response became what
is now known as the People Power Revolution, which ousted Marcos.
Church and State today maintain generally cordial relations despite differing opinions over specific
issues. With the guarantee of religious freedom in the Philippines, the Catholic clergy subsequently
remained in the political background as a source of moral influence, especially during elections. Political
candidates continue to court the clergy and religious leaders for support. In the 21st century, Catholic
practice ranges from traditional orthodoxy, to Folk Catholicism and Charismatic Catholicism.
 Education Sector
The Catholic Church is involved in education at all levels. It has founded and continues to sponsor
hundreds of secondary and primary schools as well as a number of colleges and internationally known
universities. The earliest universities in the Philippines were the University of San Carlos and
the University of Santo Tomas, founded during the Spanish colonial period. The Jesuit Ateneo de Manila
University, La Salle Brothers De La Salle University, and the Dominican University of Santo Tomas are
listed in the "World's Best Colleges and Universities" in the Times Higher Education-QS World University
Rankings.

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ARRIVAL OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILLIPPINES

Philippine Catholic Church or Philippine Roman Catholic Church

The Philippines is home to many of the world's major religious congregations

1. Augustinians (Order of St. Augustine - OSA)

2. Franciscans (Order of Friars Minor - OFM)

3. Jesuits (Society of Jesus - SJ)

4. Dominicans (Order of Preachers - OP)

5. Augustinian Recollects (Order of Augustinian Recollects - OAR)

 Philippines Church 1980- Present

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