The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in Palawan, southern Philippines, has a seminarian at the age of 70 and is preparing to be a priest.
Attorney Bien Salinas, a seminary college batchmate of Father Robert Reyes, is now a seminarian serving the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay under Bishop Broderick Soncuaco Pabillo.
Reyes is a human rights activist and a clergy of the Cubao Diocese, also known as the “Running Priest.” He is also known for his social and political activism.
According to Reyes, Salinas is now the oldest seminarian in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, perhaps in the country.
Incidentally, Salinas and Reyes are the seminary batchmates of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the head of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Rome.
They studied at the Jesuit San José Seminary, under the Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines.
At a certain point in his seminary education, Salinas discounted it and pursued a career in law and became an attorney. He got married and had three children.
“I had the privilege to accompany his (Salinas’) colorful and fateful journey as a seminarian, a married lawyer with three kids, a widow, and now a seminarian again,” said Reyes.
Recently, Reys visited Taytay, Palawan, for Salinas and the team’s BEC (Basic Ecclesial Communities) enrichment seminar.
“I am pleased and excited for Bien,” said Reyes. “Thank you, Bishop Pabillo, for your trust and support for Bien.”
Reyes prays that his friend Salinas finishes his seminary education and eventually becomes a priest to serve in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay.
The land area of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay is 413.30 square kilometers. According to UCA News, it encompasses the towns in the northern portion of Palawan province, including island municipalities.
As of 2020, the total population was 694,962, with 485,952 Catholics receiving care across 24 parishes. There are also Christians, Muslims, Tagbanua, and Molbog Indigenous Peoples with their beliefs.
The Vicariate has over 40 diocesan priests, 7 religious, and 2 permanent deacons.
Though most people speak Visayan languages like Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Caray-a, as well as native Palawan dialects such as Cuyunon and Agutaynen, the main language in the area is Filipino.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
