Fr. Alfredo Hernández Named New Rector & President of St. Vincent de Paul Seminary

Bishop Felipe J. Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine, the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary (SVDP) in Boynton Beach, today announced the appointment of Fr. Alfredo Hernández as the new Rector and President of the seminary for a six-year term. Fr. Hernández has functioned as Acting Rector and President since July of 2020 with the departure of the previous Rector, the newly ordained Bishop David L. Toups.

Bishop John G. Noonan of the Diocese of Orlando, the incoming Chairman, noted “It is a blessed moment in the history of SVDP when we have an alumnus being named Rector. The Church in the SE region celebrates today.” Fr. Hernández is grateful to the Bishops of Florida and said “I love this seminary and its mission, and we will continue to form priests who joyfully preach the Gospel to and lovingly serve our great diversity of parishioners.”

Growing up in WPB and attending Cardinal Newman HS, Fr. Hernández earned a BS and graduate degrees from the University of Florida. He entered SVDP in 1988 and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Palm Beach in 1992. He also earned an STL in Systematic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and a Ph.D. in Pastoral Studies from North-West University in South Africa. He also served as Pastor of St. Juliana Parish in WPB for 14 years and has served SVDP in various capacities since 1997, most recently as Academic Dean and Vice Rector.

The response from the local community and the SVDP faculty, staff, and seminarians has been unanimously enthusiastic.