Geographically, the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan is situated in the central part of the province of Pangasinan. It is bounded on the east by the Diocese of Urdaneta, on the west by the Diocese of Alaminos, both places also in Pangasinan. ON the south it is bounded by the province and Diocese of Tarlac, and on the north and northwest by the Lingayen Gulf and the Diocese of San Fernando, La Union.
There are about 980,000 inhabitants in the Archdiocese, 90% of whom are Catholics. A majority of the people speak the Pangasinan dialect. The people are bound by strong family ties. The family is traditionally religious, and most local interactions are characterized by religious tradition. Most social celebrations are also related to religious events.
Historically, Pangasinan figures prominently as the battleground for many wars in the country. Lingayen Gulf was the headquarters Chinese pirate Lima hong who came even ahead of the Spanish forces. In world War II, General Douglas MacArthur landed in Lingayen to resume military operations against Japan. Andres Malong, a Filipino officer commissioned with the Spanish forces, led the first revolt of the province in 1660.
The Augustinians were the first missionaries to arrive in Pangasinan. But they found the people unresponsive, addicted to idolatry and the so called Anitos. Unable to make much headway, they proceeded north to the Ilocos provinces, but not before having founded the big towns of LIngayen, Dagupan and Manaoag. Some secular priests and some FRanciscans are also recorded as among the first missionaries of Pangasinan. But like the Augustinians, they also went north abandoning the so called barren and unfruitful land.
The Dominicans were the most successful missionaries in Pangasinan and they stayed until the Revolution of 1898. As early as 1587, they established the towns of Binalatongan, now San Carlos City. Other big towns they founded are Calasiao, Binmaley, Sta. Barbara and San Fabian. Meanwhile he Augustinian Recollects evangelized the western part of the province which is now the territory of the Diocese of Alminos.
The Diocese of Lingayen was erected on May 19, 1928,comprising the entire province of Pangasinan. In 1954, because of the destruction wrought on Lingayen by World War II, the See was transferred to Dagupan, and the diocese is now known as the Diocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. On January 12, 1985, the western part of Pangasinan was made the Diocese of Alaminos and the eastern part the Diocese of Urdaneta, both dioceses becoming the suffragans of Lingayen-Dagupan along with the dioceses of Cabanatuan, San Jose (Nueva Ecija) and San Fernando (La Union). In 1963, the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese.
There are 26 parishes in the archdiocese served by 106 priests, 12 religious brothers and 33 religious sisters. Catholic institutions include 2 seminaries, the Mary Help of Christians College Seminary, in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City and the Mary Help of Christians High School Seminary, in Binmaley, 27 Catholic schools, a hospital, 2 clinics, a formation center, a social action center and a catechetical center.
Pastoral activities are concentrated on worship, catholic education, youth apostolate, social action and pastoral work with the family. A noteworthy innovation is the attention given to worship. The archdiocese is achieving progress in making the liturgy the framework of worship. Devotions remain popular, but adequate success has been achieved to integrate these with liturgy. Thus, devotion to saints, who are local favorites, have been weaned off the novena syndrome and integrated with the celebration of the Mass.
On social action, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz established the Caritas Dagupan, the primary objective of which is to help the poor of Christ help themselves through livelihood and health projects. Since Archbishop Cruz assumed office, one of his main preoccupations has been the formulation of an Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan. After much reflection and deliberation, the Plan was finally finished. The Plan is based on the integrated advisory observations made by the clergy and the laity who had been constantly consulted by the Archbishop on the matter.The plan itself starts with the situation of broken and sinful unbelievers, ignorant and indifferent, notwithstanding the call to be healed, to be whole, to be holy, to be believers. The vision is the Living Body od Christ through a witnessing, worshipping, serving and evangelizing community. And mission is renewed and intensive evangelization, renewed and intense living of gospel values; development of the Spirit, charisms and capabilities of the Presbyterium; promotion, encouragement and maximization of the ecclesial participation of the laity.