[2] The cathedral is located in Jolo, a volcanic island in Sulu Province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the Philippines.

The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

On January 10, 2010, a grenade thrown at the tombs of Francis Joseph McSorley and Benjamin de Jesus, two former bishops, caused no injuries but shattered the windows.

[6] On January 27, 2019, the cathedral was bombed during a mass, killing at least 18 people and injuring 82 others.

[9] On August 24, 2020, two bombings occurred in Jolo, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers, six civilians, one police officer and a bomber, while 75 other people were wounded.