The Manila Cathedral

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 21, 1581

The Manila Cathedral was established by virtue of the decree of Pope Gregory XIII as suffragan of Mexico under the title of the Immaculate Concepcion on December 21, 1581. 

The cathedral which was the “Church of Manila”, established in 1571 by Fray Juan de Vivero, the chaplain of the galleon San Geronimo, was raised into a cathedral in 1579. 

The new structure which was made of bamboo, nipa and wood was built in 1581 by the first bishop of Manila, Domingo de Salazar. After its consecration, the cathedral was razed by fire in 1583. 

A second cathedral which was made of stone was built in 1593 but an earthquake destroyed it in 1600. 

A third cathedral began construction in 1614 and was blessed in the same year. An earthquake that shook Manila in 1645 toppled it. 

The fourth cathedral built from 1654 to 1671 was again hit by the 1863 earthquake which also damaged the governor-general’s palace. 

A new cathedral was constructed from 1870 to 1879 and was blessed in 1879. Another earthquake hit the cathedral which destroyed the bell tower. 

During the final days of World War II, allied forces bombed Manila in 1945. The “Battle of Manila” reduced the cathedral to rubbles. 

The present cathedral was constructed from 1954 to 1958 under Most Rev. Rufino Cardinal Santos, DD. In 1970, Pope Paul VI celebrated a Mass at the cathedral. 

Some years later, Pope John Paul II issued a papal bull on April 27, 1981 elevating the shrine to a minor basilica.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: The Manila Cathedral