A northern diocese aims to produce more priests by recruiting high-school graduates wanting to study theology for a new college seminary.

Bishop Sergio L. Utleg of Laoag said students can enroll on a mass communications course with a major in philosophy at the new seminary in Laoag City, 340 kilometers north of Manila.

At least 10 young graduates have been admitted to the St. Mary’s College Seminary this month.

The seminary is the first of its kind in the diocese because it offers social communications courses with philosophy.

Of the first 10 students, the Church hopes to produce at least one or more to study theology.

Currently, the Divine Word College of Laoag, a tertiary Catholic school run by the diocese, offers a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications but its curriculum does not include philosophy.

Bishop Utleg said the new college seminary will also allow students to study social communications at a cheaper price. In minor seminaries, tuition is pegged at about P60,000 (US$1,400) per year.

The new college seminary is the third of its kind to offer lectures in philosophy in the northern Philippines, alongside schools in Baguio City and in Dagupan, Pangasinan.

A school of theology is also located in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

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