VISION and MISSION
In a society ...
Distressed by widespread and dehumanizing poverty, oppressed by socio-political injustices, confronted by moral and cultural decadence and religious mediocrity,
We envision ...
A community of Disciples of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese of Davao afire with the Holy Spirit, mature in faith; witnessing Love, Truth, Freedom, Justice and Peace; in joyful communion with God; in solidarity with all the people; and in harmony with Creation.
Journeying with Jesus, Our Savior and Liberator
We commit ourselves ...
- to a radical conversion nurtured by His Word, His Eucharist and other sacraments;
- to an integrity of life inspired by Mary, the model of disciples;
- to a participative Church of the poor;
- to a renewed integral evangelization for the families, the youth, the GKKs (Gagmay'ng Kristohanong Katilingban or Small Christian Communities) and other communities towards the transformation of the society that is "maka-Diyos," "maka-tao," "maka-buhay," "maka-bayan" ("Pro God, pro-man, pro-life, pro-nation) and towards a restoration of Filipino cultures. more especially those of the Lumads (Indigenous People), and respect for the dignity of God's creation.
HISTORY
The dawning of the age of faith in Davao took place at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Three missionary groups shaped that glorious age. First, the Recollect Fathers in 1848; they stayed until 1858. The following years saw the Jesuits step into the lush forests of Davao. Then, in 1937, upon the request of the Bishop of Zamboanga, the Priests of the Foreign Mission Society of Quebec (PME Fathers) came to Davao.
The PME Fathers were entrusted with the spiritual care of the faithful in the areas included within the limits of Davao City and the present three provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.
On 7 Devember 1949, the Holy See raised the Davao Mission to the rank of Prelature "Nullius" of Davao. Subsequently, the Most Reverend Clovis Thibault, PME, JCL, DD, was elected its first Prelate Ordinary and was installed on June 24, 1950.
In 1958, all of what is now Davao Oriental and most of what is now Davao del Norte were given to the pastoral care of the Maryknoll Fathers. The city of Davao, Davao del Sur and two municipalities of Davao del Norte and the present Archdiocese of Davao.
On 19 November 1966, the Prelature of davao was elevated into a Diocese, and the Most Rev. Clovis Thibault, PME, JCL, DD took canonical possession of the Diocese of Davao on 15 January 1967 as its first Bishop.
On 24 March 1967, the Most Rev. Juan Nilmar, DD took office as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Davao. However on 22 May 1970, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.
On 1 August 1970, the Diocese of Davao was erected into an Archdiocese with the Most Reverend Clovis Thibault, PME, JCL as its Archbishop and the Most Rev. Antonio Ll. Mabutas, JCD as its First Coadjutor Bishop.
Upon the retirement of Archbishop Clovis Thibault, PME on 9 December 1972, Archbishop Antonio Ll. Mabutas took over as resident Archbishop of Davao.
Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Davao on 28 June 1994 and, upon the retirement of Archbishop Antonio Ll. Mabutas, was installed as the third Archbishop of Davao on November 28, 1996.