The Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) J. Prospero E. De Vera III, promised support for Philippine seminaries and schools of theology especially in the areas of accreditation, government recognition, and collaboration, in his Keynote Address at the first National Consultation on Theological Education initiated by Wesleyan University-Philippines.

Photo credits to J. Prospero E. De Vera III

More than 300 theologians, seminarians, higher education institution presidents and representatives, and church leaders joined the two-day Zoom consultation that reached more than 18,000 in Facebook Live. Distinguished lecturers were Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil, Ph.D. on The State of Theological Education in the Philippines: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities and Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, President of the Claremont School of Theology, Los Angeles, California, on Theological Education in the 21st Century: A Global Perspective.

Association for Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA) Executive Director Dr. Limuel R. Equina discussed international accreditation while Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities – Accrediting Council Inc. (ACSCU-ACI) Executive Director Mr. Angelito P. Pedreño tackled local accreditation at the first panel discussion.

The panel discussion on Redefining Quality Theological Education was powerfully led by the President of the Loyola School of Theology, Enrico C. Eusebio, Jr., S.J., J.C.D., the President of St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary Rev. Dr. Gloria Mapangdol, the president of Union Theological Seminary Rev. Dr. Eleazar S. Fernandez, and the President of Silliman University and the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (ACUCA) Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann.

A roundtable discussion on The Way Forward for Theological Institutions was moderated by Rev. Dr. Luther J. Oconer and participated in by representatives from Aglipay Central Theological Seminary, Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, Central Philippine University College of Theology, Febias College of Bible, Silliman Divinity School, St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, and Wesley Divinity School.

The closing worship homily was delivered by The Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio David, DD, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Caloocan, and Vice President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.