10/07/2026
Beneath the Azure Sky: A History of the Archdiocese of Capiz (1951–2026)
An Inspiring Chronicle of Faith, Resilience, and Mission
Published in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of the Canonical Er****on of the Diocese of Capiz (1951–2026) and the Golden Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Capiz (1976-2026), Beneath the Azure Sky: A History of the Archdiocese of Capiz (1951–2026) is the first comprehensive history of the local Church from its canonical establishment as a diocese to the present day. Written by Rev. Fr. Dedert V. Duarte, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Capiz, and commissioned by Capiz Archbishop Victor B. Bendico, the volume offers both a carefully researched historical account and a pastoral reflection on seventy-five years of God's grace in the Church of Capiz.
Drawing from diocesan archives, parish records, private collections, oral testimonies, and previously unpublished materials, the book traces the growth of Catholic life in Capiz from the arrival of the Augustinian missionaries in 1566 through the establishment of the Diocese of Capiz in 1951, its elevation to a Metropolitan Archdiocese in 1976, and its continuing mission into the twenty-first century.
Readers will discover:
• The story of the shepherds and their people through the lives and ministries of the bishops who guided the local Church across seven decades of pastoral leadership.
• The remarkable growth of priestly and religious vocations, highlighting the vision, institutions, and pastoral initiatives that transformed Capiz into one of the country's most fruitful sources of clergy and Church leaders.
• The development of Catholic institutions, including seminaries, schools, charitable works, healthcare ministries, social action programs, and communications apostolates that have shaped generations of faithful.
• The indispensable role of the laity, whose service in parish organizations, ecclesial movements, Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), and various apostolates has become an enduring pillar of evangelization.
• The richness of Capiceño Catholic spirituality, expressed through Marian devotion, parish fiestas, Holy Week traditions, popular religious practices, and distinctive local expressions of faith such as the Considerad.
• The Church's response to changing times, recounting moments of war, natural disasters, social transformation, ecclesial renewal, and the continuing call to synodality and missionary discipleship.
More than a historical record, Beneath the Azure Sky preserves the collective memory of a local Church whose story has been shaped by generations of bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful. It is a tribute to their sacrifices, a testimony to God's abiding providence, and an invitation for future generations to continue building upon the rich heritage entrusted to them.
As the Archdiocese celebrates seventy-five years as a diocese and fifty years as a metropolitan archdiocese, this volume reminds every reader that the history of the Church is not merely a record of the past. It is the continuing story of God's saving work through His people, beneath the azure sky, across generations of heaven's blessings.
