On April 10, 1910, Pope Pius X separated Samar and Leyte from the Diocese of Cebu, and formed

them into one diocese, with Calbayog as its episcopal see.

On October 22, 1960 Pope John XXIII created the Diocese of Borongan, installing Most Reverend
Vicente Reyes, D.D., then, the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, as the First Residential Bishop of Borongan.

On June 19, 1965, the island of Samar was politically divided and the province of Eastern Samar was
born. On December 5, 1974 Pope Paul VI established the Diocese of Catarman. Thus the island of
Samar now has three dioceses, following its political division: that of Calbayog for Western Samar,
that of Catarman for Northern Samar, and that of Borongan for Eastern Samar.

The Diocese of Borongan is divided into three regions, each consisting of 2 vicariates. The diocese
covers 32 parishes in 22 municipalities and 4 barrrios, ministered to by 84 diocesan and 5 religious
priests. Borongan, the capital town of the province is also seat of the episcopal see.

In many ways the Diocese of Borongan is really a Church of the poor, by the poor, and for the poor.
Many parishes do not have enough resources to maintain decent daily sustenance in their
contributions remain meager.

The diocese is now seeing the flourishing of faith communities. The Basic Ecclesial Communities are
being introduced. Present-day challenges to the faith include that of Fundamentalism and
Pentecostalism. But these challenges are being met by the diocesan priests and the faith
communities.