Philippine SVD Missionary, Theologian and Community Builder Dies at 85

Divine Word missionary Fr. Vicente Castro, SVD, who spent six decades serving the Church as a missionary, theologian, mentor and community builder, died early September 25 in Quezon City, the Philippines. He was 85.

The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Philippine Southern Province said Fr. Castro died at about 2:10 a.m. at Villa Cristo Rey, located within Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City.

Born November 25, 1940, Fr. Castro devoted about 60 years to missionary service, with assignments that included Sarangani and Mindoro in the southern Philippines, as well as Rome.

Friends and fellow missionaries remembered him for his work as a theology teacher, his commitment to community building and his dedication to missionary service.

In a social media tribute, Fr. Ross Heruela, SVD, recalled Fr. Castro as a confrere who introduced others to the writings of Swiss theologian Hans Küng and encouraged communities to move beyond a culture of dole-outs.

Fr. Castro also contributed to preserving the history of the Catholic Church in Mindoro, an island province in central Philippines, through his knowledge of languages and his work in translation.

Dr. Carole Diamante, a longtime family friend, recalled Fr. Castro’s roots in Libis, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, and his family’s close ties to the local Church.

“Fr. Vicente was a family friend,” Diamante said, recalling her father, Engr. Castro, who served as a parish volunteer in several projects of the late Bishop Wilhelm Duschack.

She also remembered Fr. Castro’s mother as a fervent Marian devotee who was active in the Legion of Mary, Apostleship of Prayer and Catholic Women’s League.

Diamante recalled that Fr. Castro’s brother, Fr. Antonio Castro, was ordained at a young age, pursued further studies in Rome and later died in an accident while assigned to St. Augustine Major Seminary in Tagaytay.

Fr. Castro’s linguistic skills also enabled him to help document the history of the Church in Mindoro.

“Fr. Vicente gave that lovely eulogy for Fr. Ewald Dinter and translated most of the messages of Fr. Dinter’s German friends,” Diamante said.

She recalled bringing Fr. Rudolf Holzgartner to Villa Cristo Rey to meet Fr. Castro and seek his help in translating from German into English and possibly Tagalog a book about Bishop Dushack that had originally been written in German.

Diamante said her last joyful gathering with Fr. Castro was the 2025 Oktoberfest celebration at Villa Cristo Rey.

“The last joyful time I had with Fr. Vicente was [the] 2025 Oktoberfest celebration at Villa Cristo Rey,” she said.

“Salamat po sa magandang memories with you Fr. Vicente. Mahal ka po namin,” she added.

The SVD Southern Province asked the faithful to pray for the peaceful repose of Fr. Castro’s soul and for consolation for his family and fellow missionaries.

“May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all people,” the SVD said.

Details of the wake and funeral services will be announced by the SVD.