Catalino Arevalo

Catalino G. Arevalo (April 20, 1925 – January 18, 2023) was a Filipino Roman Catholic priest and theologian.

Catalino Arevalo
S.J.
Arevalo in 2013
Personal
Born(1925-04-20)April 20, 1925
DiedJanuary 18, 2023(2023-01-18) (aged 97)
Quezon City, Philippines
ReligionCatholic
NationalityFilipino
Notable work(s)Evangelization in Modern Day Asia (1974)
ProfessionTheologian
OrderSociety of Jesus
Senior posting
TeacherFrancis A. Sullivan
Students
OrdinationJune 19, 1954
ProfessionTheologian
PostChairman, Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (1985–1995)

Early life and education

Arevalo was born on April 20, 1925. At 16 years old, he entered the seminary on May 30, 1941, joining the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits.[1] After his ordination in 1954, he pursued a doctorate degree in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome under Jesuit ecclesiologist Francis A. Sullivan. He obtained his degree in 1959.[2]

Career

Arevalo was ordained as a priest on June 19, 1954. In 1959, he joined the Jesuit theologate of Woodstock College in Maryland in the United States as its first Filipino teacher.[1] Returning to the Philippines, he taught at the San Jose Seminary until 1965. His pupils included Luis Antonio Tagle who would later become a cardinal.[2]

Arevalo served as dean of the Loyola House of Studies of the Ateneo de Manila University from 1965 to 1966. Arevalo would also serve as the first president of the Jesuit School of Theology (later renamed Loyola School of Theology), also under Ateneo, from 1968 to 1971. He stayed in the school until 2010 teaching various theological courses.[1]

Arevalo would be the first Asian prelate to become a member of the International Theological Commission of the Holy See and the first convener and founding member of the Theological Advisory Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).[1] He was chairman of the FABC from 1985 to 1995.[3] He was also a theological peritus with the FABC from 1970 to 1995.[2]

Arevalo would tour Latin America in 1970 and had significant correspondence with fellow prelate Juan Luis Segundo, Lucio Gera, and Gustavo Gutiérrez. The trip would help him come up with ideas on the subject of liberation theology in the Philippines.[2]

Arevalo authored the final document, the Evangelization in Modern Day Asia, for the inaugural FABC Plenary Assembly held in Taipei, Taiwan in 1974 which set the theological orientation of the FABC.[4][5]

A family friend of the Aquinos, Arevalo also was the spiritual adviser of former President Corazon Aquino[6] from August 21, 1983.[3]

Death

Arevalo died at the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center in Quezon City, on January 18, 2023, at the age of 97.[1]

Honors and recognition

Honors

Other

References
  1. Pazzibugan, Dona (January 19, 2023). "Jesuit priest Catalino Arevalo, 'Father of Asian Theology'; 97". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  2. "Philippines mourns death of 'Father of Asian Theology' - UCA News". UCA News. January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  3. "Fr. Catalino Arevalo's services are recognized by Asian bishops". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. August 28, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  4. "Society of Jesus mourns passing of Filipino theologian". Manila Bulletin. January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  5. Torres, Jose Jr. (January 18, 2023). "'Father of Asian Theology,' Father Catalino Arevalo, dies at 97". CBCPNewss. LiCAS.news. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  6. "Ex-Pres. Cory Aquino's spiritual adviser Fr. Catalino Arevalo passes away". GMA News. GMA Integrated News. January 18, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  7. "FABC Award for Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ – FABC". Retrieved February 6, 2023.
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