BRIEF HISTORY

As a Catechetical Formation Center the Institute of Catechetics of the Archdiocese of Manila (ICAM) traces its origin to its founder, the late Rufino Cardinal Santos. It started offering its program of formation in 1964 together with the Central Office of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine at the Pius XII Catholic Center, United Nations Avenue, Manila under the directorship of Very Rev. Msgr. Justino Ortiz, then National Director of the CCD. Later on, the Central Office of the CCD and the Institute were merged and Fr. Jose Calle, SJ, was appointed Director. In 1968 Fr. Calle, SJ was replaced by the late Fr. Lino Banayad, S.J. when the former moved to the East Asian Pastoral Institute.

With the passing away of Cardinal Santos, the function of the Central Office of the CCD was assumed by the Office of the Catechetical Ministry. The In-service Trainings and the drawing up of lesson plans were done in the catechetical offices of the different districts of the Archdiocese. In 1981, the Institute of Catechetics of the Archdiocese while retaining its identity transferred its offices at Sta. Isabel College in Taft Avenue. Its new building was inaugurated by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin on September 14, 1987. In 1992, Cardinal Sin appointed Msgr. Jose “Chito” Bernardo to assist in the formation of catechists and eventually appointed Director upon the death of Fr. Lino Banayad in 1993.

In 1996, under the directorship of Msgr. Chito Bernardo, ICAM transferred its offices at the San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex and occupied the former Holy Apostles Senior Seminary building. Upon its transfer to its present site, the “God and Man” (GM) formation program for catechists was merged with the CCD formation Program. At present ICAM has evolved from the previous mergings. While maintaining the essentials of the original formation programs of CCD and GM, a new formation program has emerged in response to the renewed vision, mission and thrusts of the Church regarding evangelization and catechesis.