The Diocese of Legazpi in Albay will have two new quasi-parishes.
In a circular letter dated Sept. 22, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon announced that two of their mission-churches will be canonically erected as additional quasi-parishes in the diocese.
"It has already been three years since I appointed and sent mission-priests to four mission areas, namely, Barangays Fatim in Tabaco City, Pili-Iraya in Bacacay, Binogsacan in Guinobatan, and Batang in Ligao City," he said.
"After careful assessment of the assigned mission-priests and upon the recommendation of the Board of Consultors, I am announcing that the mission churches in Barangay Batang, Ligao City and Barangay Pili-Iraya, Bacacay, Albay will be canonically erected for better care of souls as additional quasi-parishes in the diocese," added Baylon.
The prelate explained that there are three stages for an area to become a parish in his diocese.
"First is the mission church. A group of nearby barangays is identified and 'separated' from the mother parish, and a 'mission priest' is assigned to look after, study, and evaluate these places if together they can have the capacity to become an independent parish," he said.
After sometime, Baylon said, if the mission priest recommends it, the area is declared a quasi-parish, which is one step closer to being an independent parish.
"Then, after a several years more of being a quasi-parish, it eventually is erected as an independent parish," he said.
According to the prelate, the mission church in Barangay Batang, St. Stephen the Protomartyr being the mother parish, will be named St. John XXIII quasi-parish whose secondary patron is St. Francis of Assisi.
The community of Barangay Pil-Iraya, with St. Rose of Lima as its mother parish, Baylon said, will be under the patronage of St. John Paul II.
Baylon said the establishment of the two quasi-parishes will be formally decreed on Dec. 15 which coincides with the start of the “Simbang Gabi” or dawn masses and within the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.
"Let us be grateful to the Lord for the flourishing of the Christian faith in our midst. We pray for the continued building up of these communities and for their spiritual welfare," he said.