BICOLKNOWN

Jorge I. Barlin (1850-1909). The first Filipino bishop, consecrated in 1906. He was ordained priest in 1875. A young priest that he was, he was well-respected by his parishioners and by political leaders. As the pastor of Sorsogon, Sorsogon at the turn of the 21stcentury, the last Spanish civilian governor of Sorsogon entrusted to him the administration of the province until a smooth transition to the occupying American forces. His name is in the annals of Philippine jurisprudence as well, for his vigorous defense of the Catholic Church's ownership of churches and properties from the break-away Philippine Independent Church (PIC) prelates. In 1902 he was offered supreme prelacy of the PIC by no other than the founder of the Aglipayan Church, Padre Gregorio Aglipay, to which he curtly replied: "Prefiero ser lampazero a ser la cabeza de su iglesia cismatica,"(I prefer to be floor sweeper than to be the head of your schismatic church.) Bishop Barlin died in Rome in 1909 during a visit to give report to the Holy Father.