Our Seminarians

Deacon Emilio Capin

Somehow, I felt there was an emptiness in me that could not be filled by obtaining a degree or finding a good job. I was involved in many ministries in my parish, but this too was not enough….

Emilio is from the Philippines. He started his seminary formation in 2020 and was ordained to the diaconate in September 2025.

Gerson Badayos

One day I watched a video of Pope Francis about vocation. I cannot exactly recall what he said, but what I remembered was, “If you have that sense of the vocation, cultivate that, it’s actually God himself who puts that in your heart”. It struck me… After watching it, I started searching…

Gerson is from the Philippines. He started his seminary formation in February 2021, and is currently on pastoral placement in Holy Family Parish in Nelson.

Kham Nguyen

I feel blessed to have been born in a Catholic family, surrounded by the love of neighbors, with the Church in the middle of our village. After I finished university in Vietnam, in September 2022, I came to New Zealand to follow priesthood as a student of the Archdiocese of Wellington. Since then, I have been helped, supported and guided by priests and parishioners as I learned English and the New Zealand culture. With your prayer and support, I hope to always walk in the way of Jesus.

Kham Nguyen comes from Vietnam. He spent two years in Holy Trinity Parish, and started his seminary formation in February 2025.

Dyester Abo-Abo

Before moving to New Zealand from the Philippines, I worked at a Jesuit university and taught Psychology for over 8 years. I grew up being actively involved in the parish, where I met wonderful priests and religious who inspired me to consider the vocation of priesthood. I love exploring new places and cultures, and am grateful to have this opportunity to explore priesthood in the Archdiocese of Wellington.

Dyester is from the Philippines. He spent a year in Wellington South Parish, and started his seminary formation in February 2025.

Ele Minseuk Oh

My vocational journey has been shaped one of trust in God. After studying theology and leaving diocesan seminary formation in Korea, I worked as a Catholic book editor, gaining extensive experience in publishing while still longing for a deeper sense of God’s presence. A former parish priest invited me to continue my vocation in New Zealand, a call I initially resisted due to language barriers and hesitation. Eventually, I accepted.  Since arriving here I have, I have experienced God’s enduring love through the support of the people and renewed my hope for priesthood.

Long Tran

I grew up in the small village of Huong Phuong in central Vietnam, where faith, family, and parish life nurtured my priestly vocation. From a young age, the strong witness of consecrated life and the encouragement of my family planted the seed of priesthood in my heart. My faith was formed at home and in the parish through Mass, catechism, and years of serving as an altar server. After graduating from university in 2022, I was invited and supported by Church leaders to continue my vocation in New Zealand. Living and learning within the Archdiocese of Wellington has deepened my faith, strengthened my commitment, and confirmed my trust in God’s guiding love.