Bishopric of Zebu
600. It has been stated above, in the list of the archbishops of
Manila, that the bishopric of Zebu is one of the three suffragans which
Pope Clement VIII erected for these Philipinas Islands by his brief of
August 14, 1595. This is the most extensive, not only because of its
territory in the islands, but because its jurisdiction also includes
the Marianas Islands. The episcopal see is established in the city
of Dulcissimo Nombre de Jesus (before called San Miguel)--founded
in the month of April, 1565--in its very spacious wooden church,
which is dedicated to the holy guardian angel (unless it be dedicated
to the holy archangel, St. Michael, as is so fitting, as he was the
first titular of that village). That church has its sacristy, with its
cura and sacristan. There is a provisor, and some secular clergy with
benefices are located in some of the islands of its jurisdiction. In
that city the order of the great father St. Augustine has a convent,
in which is venerated [an image of] the most miraculous child Jesus,
found at the conquest of the city; a college of the Society of Jesus;
a convent of the discalced Augustinians; and perhaps one or several
religious of St. John of God. Toward the eastern part of the island
of Zebu is located the city, with some Spanish houses--although now
only one or two Spaniards live there with the alcalde-mayor, who is
the governor, chief justice, general of the soldiers in Pintados,
and castellan of the fort in the same city; two alcaldes-in-ordinary,
one lieutenant of royal officials, three regidors, two notaries, one
city steward, and one chief constable. There is a district for the
Sangleys, who form a Parian. The above is all that is most noteworthy
regarding the city of Zebu.
Jurisdiction of this bishopric
601. The bishopric of Zebu extends, with its jurisdiction, throughout
the province of Leyte; throughout that of Zebu, with the adjacent
islands, as above stated; the province of Caraga; the province of
Panay, with the jurisdiction of Ogtong, and adjacent islands; as
far as the Calamianes, and Paragua; the northern coast of Mindanao;
and the Marianas Islands.
Stipends of the bishops of these islands
602. His Excellency the bishop of Zebu receives an annual stipend
of four thousand pesos of common gold, by virtue of a royal decree
dated May 28, 1680. The cura of the sacristy of that holy church
receives 183 pesos 6 tomins 7 granos; the sacristan, 91 pesos 7
tomins 3 granos. The other two bishops, their curas, and sacristans,
receive the same stipends, and for the same reason.