Felix S. Zafra

Felix Sanchez Zafra (January 14, 1920 – August 4, 2002) was a Filipino prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the fourth Bishop of Tagbilaran. and the 2nd native of Bohol consecrated as a bishop—the first being his principal consecrator, Bishop Manuel Mascariñas y Morgia. In his previous post, Zafra served as the first Bishop of Dipolog (1967–1986). He was later appointed Bishop of Tagbilaran, serving until his retirement on April 21, 1992.

Early life Felix Sanchez Zafra was born on January 14, 1920, in Barangay Nahawan, Clarin, Bohol, Philippines, into a prestigious family. His father, Tomas Zafra, was the first elected mayor of Clarin, and his mother, Asuncion Sanchez, belonged to one of the town’s most prominent families.

From childhood, Zafra exhibited early signs of a priestly vocation. He often play-acted as a priest, mimicking the Mass with his cousins as his "altar servers" and "schola." This youthful devotion bore lasting fruit: two of his playmates, Jovencio Sanchez and Pampilo Somosot, later became priests, while others entered religious life as nuns—rising to become local superiors in their respective orders.

In 1952, he became rector of St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral in Tagbilaran, serving until 1955. He later returned to Loon, Bohol (1955–1960), this time as parish priest.

From 1960 to 1963, he served as:

Spiritual director of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Tagbilaran. Later, its vice-rector.

A notable initiative of his ministry was founding the “For More Priests Club” (now the St. Joseph Vocation Society), a scholarship foundation of the Diocese of Tagbilaran which:

Addressed the priest shortage in Bohol by promoting vocations. Raised funds to support seminarians who could not afford the expenses.

Diocese of Tagbilaran On October 20, 1986, Pope John Paul II appointed Felix Zafra as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Tagbilaran. This followed the appointment of Most Reverend Onesimo Cadiz Gordoncillo as Archbishop of Capiz on June 18 that same year.

Death Zafra died on August 4, 2002, as Bishop Emeritus of Tagbilaran. His mortal remains rest in the right-wing side altar of the Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral-Parish of St. Joseph in Tagbilaran.