The Philippine Independent Church

GoodMorning !!

The 0f

Iglesia Filipina

Independiente

Outline• Start of Religious

Schism • The Founding Of IFI• Lineage of IFI

Obispo Maximo

Start of Religious Schism

Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda

And Gen. Basilio Augustine

Artemio ricarteMariano Trias

Emiliano Regio de Dios

Fr. Gregorio Aglipay

• Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo – Advised Fr. Aglipay to go to the North

• Archbishop Nozaleda – Sent Fr. Aglipay to the North• Fr. Aglipay Returned to Manila and found that many

people are troubled• Fr. Aglipay went to Cavite and Joined Aguinaldo’s

Movement

Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Appointed Fr. Aglipay as the

“Military Vicar General” (Oct. 20, 1898)

Oct. 21,1898 • Aglipay issued a letter to the Filipino

clergy urging them to organize themselves into a cohesive body geared to national emergency.

Oct.22, 1898• Aglipay issued a manifesto asking the

Filipino clergy to organize themselves and take charge of all vacant parishes

• He urged priest under his jurisdiction to rally for the revolutionary cause

April 29,1899

• Archbishop Nozaleda excommunicate Fr. Aglipay that will take effect on May 5, 1899.

• Fr. Aglipay also declared Nozaleda excommunicated. He charged him of starving the people and collaboration with the Spaniards and Americans

October 22, 1899

Apolinario Mabini directed a manifesto to the Filipino Clergy urging them to a Filipino National Church.

Fr. Agilpay called an assembly at PaniquiTarlac on Oct.23, 1899

Agenda:Filipinization of Catholic churchPrevention of anarchy in religious matterProvisional constitution of the Filipino Church was framed

The time is ripe for the Filipino Church

WAR TIME – The New Church don’t have opportunity to grow fully

January 2, 1900

• Mons. Placido Chapelle arrived. An American Apostolic Delegate.

• Pro-friar

The Filipino hated Chapelle. Many Filipino clergy and Revolutionary leaders joins the religious movement

• Influenced by Chapelle’s undiplomatic language. Salustiano Araullo and Jose Chanco laid the problem of Filipino clergy to the Pope

Early 1901Isabelo De Los Reyes Sr., campaigned for the establishment of a Filipino church

July 1901 He founded “Union Obrera democratica” or Democratic Labor Union in the Philippines

The Founding of IFIAug 3, 1902

Pascual H. Poblete scheduled a mass meeting at the Zorilla Theater

That same night…

• Isabelo de los Reyes Sr. called a meeting of his Labor Union at the Centro de bellas Artes

• Proposal: To establish a Filipino Church independent of Rome with Aglipay as the Supreme Bishop.

• The New Church is called “Iglesia Filipina Independiente” (Philippine independent Church)

Executive Committee

• Trinidad H. Pardo• Fernando Maria Guerero• Martin Ocampo• Manuel ortigas Trinidad

H. Pardo• Fernando Maria Guerero• Adriano Garces J. Barlin• Manuel Roxas• Toribio Dominguez

However,….They denied any

connection with the independent church

Aglipay and the Jesuits

Dr. Leon Ma. Guerrero and Joaquin LunaInvited Aglipay to an interView at Jesuit house atSta. Ana Manila .

Father Francisco Foradada-

He Insulted the Filipino priest that urge Alipay to continue the schism

Father Joaquin Villalonga

Deal with Aglipay after what Foradada had done and he urged him to come back to the catholic faith.

Aglipay is accompanied with young priest Santiago Fonacier

Consecration of Aglipay

Aglipay was consecrated on September 6 1902 as bishop and he also accept the position of supreme Bishop

Oct. 26- First mass of Aglipay as supreme bishop Jan.18, 1903 - He was consecrated as supreme bishop of the bishop of isabela, Cagayan, Pangasinan , Nueva Ecija, Cavite and Manila

Lineage of IFI Obispo Maximo

I. Gregorio Aglípay y Labáyan D.D.II. Santiago Antonio Fonacier y SuguítanIII. Gerardo Bayaca y MedinaIV. Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. y López Ph.D., D.D.V. Macario Ga y Vilches D.D.VI. Abdias dela Cruz y Rebantád D.D.VII. Solimán Ganno y FlorésVIII.Tito Pasco y EsquilloIX. Alberto Ramento y Baldovino D.DX. Tomás Millamena y Amabran D.D.XI. Godofredo David y Juico D.D.XII. Ephraim Fajutagana y Servanez D.D.

Gregorio Aglípay y Labáyan D.D.

• Date of Birth: May 5, 1860.• Birthplace: Batac, Ilocos Norte.• Educational Attainment:• - A.B. at University of St. Tomas (UST), 1881.- Theology at UST,1883 and in

Vigan,1887.Ordained Subdeacon: 1887.• Deaconate: 1888.• Priesthood: December 26, 1889 at Sto. Domingo Church, Intramuros, Manila.• First Sung mass: January 1, 1890, Sta. Cruz Church, Manila.• Proclaimed Obispo Máximo: August 3, 1902, Manila.• Consecrated Bishop: January 18, 1903, Tondo, Manila.• Doctor of Divinity. Meadville Theological School, Chicago, USA, 1931.• Term of Office: 1902-1940 (Inaugural holder)• Died: September 1, 1940 in Manila.

I

I. Santiago Antonio Fonacier y Suguítan

• Santiago Fonacier OM II• Date of Birth: May 21, 1885.• Birthplace: Laoag, Ilocos Norte.• Educational Attainment:• - A.B., Escuela Docente de Laoag, 1900.• Episcopate: January 12, 1933, Tondo Cathedral, Manila.• Elected Obispo Máximo: October 14, 1940, Tondo Cathedral,

Manila.• Term of Office: 1940-1946• Died: December 8, 1977 in Pasay City.

Accomplishments:

He lead the Church during the four years of Japanese occupation in the country.

III. Gerardo Bayaca y Medina

• Date of Birth: September 23, 1893.• Birthplace: Laoag, Ilocos Norte.• Educational Attainment:• - A.B., Philosophy & Theology, Vigan

Seminary.Priesthood: June 6, 1919 (Roman Catholic).• Joined the IFI: October 1933.• Elected Obispo Máximo: January 22, 1946, Maria Clara Christ

Church, Sta. Cruz, Manila.• Term of Office: January – September 1946.• Died: December 1975 in Botolan, Zambales

IV. Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. y López Ph.D., D.D.

• Date of Birth: February 14, 1900.• Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain.• Priesthood: September 24, 1923, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz,

Manila.• Episcopate: January 23, 1925, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz, Manila.• Elected Obispo Máximo: September 1, 1946, Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta.

Cruz, Manila.• Bestowal of Apostolic Succession: April 7, 1948, Episcopal Pro-Cahedral of St.

Luke, Binondo, Manila.• Re-elected Obispo Máximo: September 1, 1949; 1953; 1951; 1957;1961;

1965; 1969.• Term of Office: September 1946 – October 1971.• Died: October 10, 1971 in Manila.

• Accomplishments:

- Concentrated on developing and nurturing institutional life to strengthened the theological position of the Church.

- He ushered in the forging of concordat relations with various Churches in many countries,first on the list was with the Protestant Episcopal Church of U.S.A. (PECUSA); and sought membership in national and international ecumenical bodies such as the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Christian Confernce in Asia, the Anglican Communion, and World Council of Churches.

- He took the helm for the construction of the new National Cathedral (the Cathedral of the Holy Infant Jesus along Taft Avenue, Manila) to supplant the Cathedral in Tondo that was destroyed during the War.

V. Macario Ga y Vilches D.D.

• Date of Birth: April 10, 1913.• Birthplace: Buenavista, Guimaras.• Educational Attainment:• - A.A., AB Pre-Law, Siliman University, 1933.Deaconiate: April

10, 1934, Tondo Cathedral,Manila.• Priesthood: May 8, 1934, Tondo Cathedral, Manila.• Episcopate: January 22, Ma. Clara Christ Church, Manila.• Bestowal of Apostolic Succession: September 1, 1948, La

Paz, Iloilo.• Elected Obispo Máximo: November 1971.• Re-elected: May 1973, 1977.• Term of Office: 1971-1981• Died: April 7, 2002 in Bacolod City.

Accomplishments:• His leadership was challenged by the general political

situation in the country during the martial law years. • - He rode in the flatform of stabilizing the church

financial condition, reconciliation with the separated brethens, Christian Stewardship, and securing ownership of church lots and properties.

• - During his term, a fund raising campaign was initiated for the building of Aglipay national Shrine in Batac, Ilocos Norte. President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos attended the inauguration as the Principal Sponsor, held on September 1977.

• - The adoption of a new Constitution and Canons in 1977 marked another important milestone in the institutional life of the Church.

• - During his term, two Regional Seminaries were opened in June 1980, these were the IFI Theological Seminary (presently Aglipay Central Theological Seminary) at Urdaneta, Pangasinan; and the IFI Regional Seminary at La Paz, Iloilo (presently St. Paul Theological Seminary in Guimaras).

VI. Abdias dela Cruz y Rebantád D.D.

• Date of Birth: September 25, 1931.• Birthplace: Ochando, New Washington, Aklan• Educational Attainment:• - B.Th., St. Andrew Theological Seminary, 1956.- A.B. English,

F.E.U, 1964.- M.A. History, U.P., 1967.Diaconate: April 12, 1916, Ma. Clara Christ Church, Manila.

• Priesthood: May 6, 1956,Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.

• Episcopate: June 29, 1964, Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.

• Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1981, National Cathedral, Manila.• Term of Office: 1981-1987

Accomplishments:• His administration would however be beset

with the problem of separation led by former Obispo Máximo Ga who refused to concede to his defeat and formed the Iglesia Catolica Filipina Independiente (ICFI).

VII. Solimán Ganno y Florés

• Date of Birth: September 19, 1931• Birthplace: Bungui, Ilocos Norte.• Educational Attainment:• - A.B., Universityof Hawaii 1953.- B.Th., SATS 1965.- M.Th. SEACST,

1974.Diaconate: 1953,Parish of Immaculate Concepcion, Batac, Ilocos,Norte.

• Priesthood: 1954, Church of Heroes and martyrs, Sampaloc, Manila.• Episcopate: May 8, 1969,National Cathedral, Manila.• Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1987, Bacoor, Cavite.• Term of Office: 1987-1989• Died: May 19, 1989, Manila.• Also known as:• - The First Dean of the National Cathedral.

Accomplishments:• During his term, the Supreme Council of Bishops (SCB)

published two consecutive pastoral letters in May 1988 (Our Heritage, Our Response) and 1989 (Witnessing: Sharing in the Pilgrimage) respectively that contain an articulation and elucidation of the nationalist heritage of the Church. In the two pastoral letters, the Church also reiterated its advocacy to the people's agenda, support to nationalist industrialization and genuine land reform, and boldly condemned foreign intervention in the political governance of the country.

• It was during Bishop Ganno's term that the Statement on Development was issued on July 30, 1987. The statement laid down the agenda of the church for renewal on the various aspects of its organizational and institutional life.

VIII. Tito Pasco y Esquillo

• Date of Birth: January 4, 1930.• Birthplace: Balasan, Iloilo.• Educational Attainment:• - A.B. Pre-Law, Central Philippine University.- B.Th., SATS, 1957.- A.B.

Political Science,University of Iloilo, 1964.- M.Div., SATS, 1990.- M.A. History, U.P., 1967.Diaconate: March 21, 1957, Ma. Clara Christ Church, Manila.

• Priesthood: May 24, 1957,Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz, Iloilo.• Episcopate: March 31, 1964, Parish of Our Lady of Peace, La Paz,

Iloilo.• Elected Obispo Máximo: June 1989, National cathedral, Manila.• Term of Office: 1989-1993

Accomplishments:• He authored the Three-Year Vision Program launched in

October 1990 which was aimed to enhance stewardship and education in the Church.

• He supported, together with the NPO, the hunger-striking teachers camping at the National Cathedral in 1991. The church admonished the Aquino Government to reinstate the teachers and compensate their salaries and benefits. (This hunger-strike event was featured in the movie Mila starring Maricel Soriano.)

• Bishop Pasco led the Church in launching the Centennial Decade Celebration at the Folk Arts Theater on August 3, 1992 to mark the beginning of a ten-year celebration prior to the centennial anniversary of the Church on 2002.

IX. Alberto Ramento y Baldovino D.D.

• Date of Birth: August 9, 1936• Birthplace: Guimba, Nueva Ecija.• Educational Attainment:• - BTh, SATS, 1958.- MDiv., SATS, 1990.Diaconate: April 8, 1958, Ma. Clara Christ church,

Manila.• Priesthood: April 28, 1958, Ma. Clara Christ church, Manila.• Episcopate: May 1969, National Cathedral, Manila.• Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1993, Trinity College, Quezon City.• Doctor of Divinity: General Theological Seminary, New York,USA.• Term of Office: 1993-1999.• Died: October 3, 2007, Tarlac.• Also known as:• - Member of the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Peace Process between the

Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).- ”Bishop of the Poor, Peasants, and Oppressed”.- One of the Martyrs of IFI with commemoration day of October 3 on the church’s lectionary.

Accomplishments:• He strengthened the capability of the Church in facilitating the

national program with the creation of various commissions in the Central Office.

• - He was an instrument in releasing many prisoners of war held by the revolutionary movements.

• - He led the Church to an increasing awareness of its prophetic role in the establishment of a just society. He was recognized as peacemaker and endorsed as member of the joint monitoring committee on the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

• It was during his term that the concordat between the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the Church of Sweden was signed in 1995.

X. Tomás Millamena y Amabran D.D.

• Date of Birth:• Birthplace: Sibalom, Antique.• Educational Attainment:• - BTh, SATS, 1978.- M.Th., SATS, 1988.Diaconate: April 16, 1970, SATS Chapel,

Quezon City.• Priesthood: April 19, 1970, National Cathedral, Manila• Episcopate: March 6, 1962, Parish of St. Michael Archangel and All Angels,

Culasi,Antique.• Elected Obispo Máximo: May 1999, YMCA Hotel, Manila.• Doctor of Divinity: Seabury Western Theological Seminary, Illinois, USA, 2002.• Term of Office: 1999-2005.• Also known as:• - The ”Centenary Obispo Máximo”.- Member of GRP-NDFP Negotianing

Panel for Peace Talks, Oslo, Norway.

Accomplishment:• His centerpiece program is embodied in the

Ten Year Strategic Plan of the Church that was approved in 2002.

• Obispo Máximo Millamena held the apostolic staff in leading the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in celebrating its centenary in August 2 & 3, 2002 at Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, Manila.

XI. Godofredo David y Juico D.D.

Accomplishment:• The Most Reverend Godofredo David was elected by the

May 2005 General Assembly as eleventh Obispo Máximo.• He continued pursuing the programmatic designs of the

Ten Year Strategic Plan and focused on human resource development, church workers benefit, and property consolidation as his centerpiece program.

• The extrajudicial killing of the Most Reverend Alberto Ramento in 2006 has led his administration toward a more pro-active engagement with justice and peace, and human rights issues.

XII. Ephraim Fajutagana y Servanez D.D.

• Birthplace: Odiongan, Romblon.• Educational Attainment:• - Bth., SATS, 1977Diaconate: 1977• Priesthood: 1977• Episcopate: July 2002.• Elected Obispo Máximo: May 10, 2011, Manila.• Doctor of Divinity: November 30, 2011, SATS, Quezon City.• Term of Office: 2011–present (incumbent).