MANILA—The Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan announced that the Holy See has opened the cause for sainthood of the archdiocese’s first bishop, Cesar Maria Guerrero y Dominguez.

The Vatican approved the initiation of the Cause for Beatification and Canonization of Guerrero, who now holds the title “Servant of God,” a designation given to individuals whose cause for beatification has formally begun.

Early life and priesthood

Guerrero was born in Ermita, Manila on January 26, 1885. He studied law at the University of Santo Tomas before entering the priesthood, completing his ecclesiastical studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained on October 28, 1914.

After serving as assistant parish priest in Binondo and as secretary to the Archbishop of Manila, Guerrero was appointed the first bishop of Lingayen on February 22, 1929. He was credited with establishing the Mary Help of Christians Seminary in Binmaley, Pangasinan. Guerrero later served as Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and became the first director of Catholic Action of the Philippines.

Wartime accusations

The archdiocese noted that Guerrero’s reputation suffered due to allegations of collaboration with Japanese forces during World War II. He was charged with treason before the People’s Court, but the case was summarily dismissed in 1946.

Later years and death

Guerrero was initially set to retire to a convent in San Francisco del Monte but was appointed the first bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga in 1949, where he promoted devotion to the Virgen de los Remedios.

He died of a heart attack on March 27, 1961, at age 76, and was buried at the Carmelite Monastery in Angeles, Pampanga.