Diocesan Seminaries

In 1970, the Second Bishop of Imus opened a minor seminary in Imus named after the patroness of the Diocese. Fr. Josefino Ramirez was assigned as the Rector of the Seminary. The seminary was first housed at the bishop’s Residence, where seminarians received their formation, while they attended their academic classes at St. Andrew’s School in Parañaque. Later, the seminary was transferred to the house of Asisclo Castañeda in Satorre St., Imus, Cavite, then it was moved once again at the Bishop’s House. After some time, the high school department was phased out. What remained are seminarians in the college level. The seminary was transferred to Buhay na Tubig and is presently known as Our Lady of the Pillar Formation House. For some time, the seminarians had to attend their classes in UST then at MST. At present, the seminarians have their academic formation in Philosophy at the St. Paul Seminary in Silang.

Bishop Perez saw the problem of Caviteño seminarians scattered in the different seminaries in Manila and receiving different formations, oftentimes not fully assimilated in the Diocese. He dreamed of opening a major seminary in Tagaytay City. The establishment of the major seminary was hastened by a conflict that arose between some seminarians of San Carlos Seminary and the late Rufino Cardinal Santos. The seminarians sought the help of Bishop Perez, who was then known for his kindness and more liberal thought. After some negotiations with the SVD Fathers, he was able to buy a three-hectare property where the seminary would be built. Meanwhile, he was able to get the Pope John XXIII Retreat Center as a temporary house for the seminarians.

When the new seminary opened in 1973, most of the Caviteño seminarians in the diaspora were gathered into one place. Fr. Inocencio Poblete was appointed as its first Moderator. Later, Fr. Jose Luis Bernardo, Jr. was assigned as Rector of the Seminary, a post he held for more than ten years until he transferred to Manila. He set the tone of a new formation as dreamed by Bishop Perez. Caviteño seminarians and those coming from the Diocese of Malolos, Lipa, Legaspi, San Fernando made up the first community of Tahanan. On December 1, 1975, the new seminary known as Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol was solemnly blessed by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani, D.D., together with five other bishops, and the diocesan and religious clergy of Cavite.

The new seminary offered a new type of formation that was perceived to be more responsive to the needs of the time. Seminarians were exposed to various pastoral endeavors in Cavite parishes. They were trained to speak out their mind and to be more responsible and mature in dealing with their superiors.

Seminary policies were formulated through the joined efforts of formators and the seminarians. A more appropriate spirituality for diocesan clergy was promoted. The seminarians attended their academic classes at the Divine Word Seminary, and they have their apostolic formation during weekends and summer break in the different parishes of Cavite. At present, there are around 80 secular priests mostly native born Caviteños in the diocese. There are still a small number of older non-Caviteño priests who chose to remain in Cavite after its separation from Manila. A significant number of non-Caviteño priests, who were formed in Tahanan, have decided to serve the Diocese. This is a very good development for Cavite, since there has also been a large migration of people from other provinces, and these people have decided to settle in Cavite for good. The presence of these priests has facilitated the ministry to the migrants.

The type of formation received in Tahanan accounts for the outspoken and more independent character of Caviteño clergy. Their social consciousness and their efforts to be more responsive to the signs of the times was perceived to be radical and even threatening for other Bishops and trained in the old way. Despite their outspoken traits, the Caviteño clergy are very docile and respectful of their superiors. In fact, in one of their recent Psycho spiritual retreats, it came out in the test that they are very hard working and are very dedicated to their apostolic responsibilities..