Photo from the Holy Rosary Major Seminary – Archdiocese of Caceres Facebook page
THE VATICAN has approved the reaffiliation of the College of Theology of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary with UST, allowing the institute to confer the Bachelor in Theology degree through the Dominican-run university’s Faculty of Theology.
In two decrees issued on Oct. 15, the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education granted the College of Theology full juridical personality to offer the degree starting this academic year.
“The Vatican has granted the Holy Rosary College of Theology the authority to confer the ecclesiastical degree of Bachelor in Theology through the UST Faculty of Theology—marking a major milestone for the Archdiocese’s formation program,” the Holy Rosary Major Seminary said in a Facebook post on Nov. 27.
The affiliation is granted “ad quinquennium experiment” or a five-year experimental period valid until 2030, after which the arrangement will be reviewed for possible renewal.
On Nov. 21, UST Faculty of Theology Dean Fr. Jannel Abogado, O.P., gave the official documents formalizing the partnership to Fr. Joey Gonzaga, rector of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary.
Gonzaga also participated in the Quality Assurance Seminar for Asia and Oceania held at UST on Nov. 25, which was organized by the Holy See’s Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties.
The Holy Rosary College of Theology has become an independent theological institute, separate from the seminary, but it maintains an academic link with UST. The theology department was officially affiliated with UST in 1990.
Located in Naga City, the Holy Rosary Major Seminary is an educational institution under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Caceres. It houses both theology and philosophy departments to prepare students for ministry and ordination. F
