Catholic, IFI churches move toward reconciliation
The Philippine Catholic Church and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) released a joint statement recently, vowing to continue the healing process of fractured relationships between the two churches.
In the historic document titled, “Celebrating the Gift of Faith, Learning from the Past and Journeying Together,” the churches pledged to pursue the dialogue in the spirit of repentance and forgiveness.
The IFI, popularly known as the Aglipayan movement, is a Christian denomination that broke away from the Catholic Church in 1902 due to alleged mistreatment of Filipinos by Spanish rulers.
It was founded by Catholic priest Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, who became its supreme bishop, together with Isabelo de los Reyes.
The joint statement recalls the beginnings of the Aglipayan movement during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule from 1896 to 1898.
It stressed that Aglipayans were not against the Catholic Church, but rather against the continued domination of Spanish bishops and priests in the country.
The document also emphasized that the movement was a continuation of the earlier nationalist struggle of the Filipino clergy for recognition.
In the statement, both IFI and Catholic leaders “ask and pray for mutual forgiveness for any injuries inflicted in the past” and “strive for the healing and purification of memories among our members.”
They also commended “ecumenical cooperation amid diversity” and encouraged “spiritual ecumenism” through joint prayer activities.
The IFI noted that it also “strives to reach out for healing and reconciliation with other separated churches founded in the Aglipayan tradition.”
A companion statement that was also signed on the same day was a statement of “mutual recognition of baptisms” between the IFI and the Catholic Church.
The Trinitarian baptismal formula of the IFI is actually recognized already by the Catholic Church on its list of validly administered baptisms by other Christian churches.
The latest updated list was issued by Bishop Jose Rojas, chairman of the CBCP Commission on Doctrine of the Faith, in March this year.
What is new in the agreement is the expression of mutual recognition by both churches.
The document also includes the signatures of two Episcopalian bishops as witnesses, since the IFI entered into full communion with the Episcopal Church in 1961.
In 1980, the Philippine Episcopal Church had already affirmed in a signed agreement its mutual recognition of baptism with the Catholic Church.
The document was formally launched during an ecumenical service held at the IFI National Cathedral on Taft Avenue in Manila, and coinciding with the 119th proclamation anniversary of the IFI.
Among those in attendance were IFI leaders led by its Supreme Bishop Rhee Timbang and some representatives of the CBCP, including Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez of Kalookan and CBCP Secretary General Msgr. Bernardo Pantin.
CBCP President Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao; Archbishop Angelito Lampon of Cotabato, chairman of the CBCP Commission on Ecumenical Affairs; and Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, chairman of the CBCP Commission on Mutual Relations joined the event online.