CBCP COMMISSION ON SEMINARIES

After years of preparation, the Episcopal Commission on Seminaries is finally launching the first edition of the Institute for Seminary Formators this coming October 20-27 at San Carlos Seminary, EDSA, Guadalupe, Makati City.

The Episcopal Commission on Seminaries, in coordination with other Episcopal Commissions, conducts the institute annually. It is an itinerant program that aims at bringing the institute to different places of the Philippines. It is not a program tied to a particular location, but one that is moving so that it can reach out to the greater number of seminary formators in the entire country.

Normally, the institute is conducted during semestral break or at the end of the school year during summer. The program may run from 5-10 days depending on the topics and themes.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

 When Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales assumed the chairmanship of the Commission in 1983, the Colloquia Series for Spiritual Directors (and later for Rectors) was launched. The series reached up to Colloquia VI. The forum brought together, annually, an average of 65 to 70 spiritual directors for regular updating in counseling, prayer, and spiritual accompanying. After Colloquium Vi in 1989, the Series was suspended due to the 1990 sessions of the Eight World Synod of Bishops on “priestly formation in today’s circumstances.” The anticipation of post-synodal exhortations Pastores dabo vobis, the Acts and Decrees of PCP II, and the Apostolic Visitation of Seminaries from 1992 to 1994 further delayed the resumption of the Colloquia series. In April and May of 1999, there were two separate colloquia for spiritual directors, jointly sponsored by the commission on Seminaries and Commission on Clergy. These joint colloquia were the last conducted by the Episcopal Commission on Seminaries.

RATIONALE OF THE INSTITUTE  

To be held once a year, the Institute for Seminary Formators is anongoingprogram meantto accompany the seminary formators in their need for permanent formation, renewal, and updating. The program is also meant to help seminary formators enhance their practical competencies and skills in seminary ministry. Based on a survey of needs and problems encountered by seminary formators in the entire Philippines, it is an integral approach to the felt needs voiced out by the seminary formators in as much as it attends to the different aspects of the life and ministry of a seminary formators.

FOCUS OF THE OCTOBER INSTITUTE

The first edition will focus on the updated Philippine Program of Priestly formation. Seminaries will be helped to update their program of formation and revise their curriculum based on the updated ration, PCP II and NPCCR. The institute will devote days of studies and workshop on human formation, especially on understanding and handling issues on human formation. It will be days of prayers, sharing and acquaintance for the seminary formators.

FACULTY  

For the launching edition of the institute, the following resource persons compose the faculty:

Most Rev. LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE, D.D.
Bishop of Imus

Rev. Fr. FRANCO IMODA, S.J., Ph.D.
Rector, Pontificia Universita Gregoriana

Rev. Fr. DANIEL PATRICK HUANG. S.J.
Provincial, Society of Jesus

FR. ALOYSIUS CARTAGENAS, S.T.D.
Rector, Seminario Mayor de San Carlos

FR. EDWIN MERCADO, S.T.L.
Rector, San Carlos Seminary  

Sr. Ma. Anicia B. Co, R.V.M. and CBCP-Office of Women Team

Msgr. CHITO BERNARDO and ASSISTANT MINISTRY TEAM
Executive Secretary, CBCP-Episcopal commission on the Clergy

Most Rev. Benjamin J. Almoneda, DD
Bishop of Daet
Chairman, CBCP Commission on Seminaries

Please refer:
(054) 447-6163 – CBCP Commission on Seminaries
0921-5485719 – Fr. Toti Angeles (Executive Secretary, CBCP-CS
0916-4980553 – Mark Iñigo (CBCP Media Office)