GAGAYAN, Diocese of. – A city in the Philippines in the province of Misamis Oriental, it is the seat of the homonymous diocese, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Name of Jesus (Cebu), comprising the civil provinces of Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Lanao, and the island of Camiguin, with a total area of approximately 20,000 sq. km.
Erected as a suffragan of Manila on 20 January 1933, the diocese of Gagayan was annexed to Cebu on 24 April of the following year, when Cebu was elevated to metropolitan status. Later, on 3 June 1939, part of Gagayan’s territory was detached to form the new diocese of Surigao.
The population is 724,800, including Muslims, pagans, and heretics; Catholics number 397,353, served by 37 parishes, 15 diocesan priests, and 22 regular clergy (1948).