Manuel P. Del Rosario (July 1, 1915 – March 23, 2009) was a Filipino prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. At the time of his death, Del Rosario was the oldest Filipino bishop[1] and one of the oldest Catholic bishops.[2] He was succeeded by Manuel Sobreviñas, D.D., Bishop-Emeritus of Imus as the oldest Filipino living bishop and oldest to die at the age of 96 in 2020.
Biography
Del Rosario was born in Baao, Camarines Sur (then a part of Ambos Camarines), Philippines in 1915, and was ordained a priest on March 25, 1939. He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Calbayog and appointed Titular bishop of Zerta on May 24, 1955, and was ordained a bishop on July 25, 1955. He succeeded the bishop of Calbayog on July 25, 1958, and was later appointed as bishop of the newly created Diocese of Malolos on December 11, 1961, and installed on March 11, 1962. He also founded the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Tabe, Guiguinto.
Malolos Cathedral Crypt
In 1963, Del Rosario suffered a stroke while attending the Second Vatican Council in Rome, leaving him paralyzed and using a wheelchair.[1] Del Rosario resigned as bishop of Malolos due to health reasons on December 15, 1977, and was succeeded by Bishop Cirilo Almario.
