Ecumenical Unity in Philippines Achieves Historic Milestone

On August 3, 2021, a significant milestone in the history of the Church in the Philippines happened. The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines (RCC) and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) or Philippine Independent Church issued joint ecumenical statements committing the two churches together in Christian witness and mutual recognition of baptism. The statements were announced during the yearlong 500th anniversary celebrations of the Evangelization of the Philippines. This is the start of healing wrought upon by more than a century of separation.

The IFI separated from the RCC on August 3, 1902, during the tumultuous time of Filipino struggles for independence from Spain and the United States. The joint statement recognizes that the schism was not about Catholic doctrine but about the church in the Philippines being headed and ministered by foreigners and not by Filipino clergy.  The IFI retained much of the Catholic ritual and doctrine, but translated the Mass into the Filipino vernacular languages.  At the time of the separation, one third of Filipino Roman Catholics joined the independent church as an expression of national identity. The first Supreme Bishop of the IFI was Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, a former RCC priest, and a General in the Philippine Revolutionary Army. 

After 1902, the relationship between the RCC and IFI was characterized by mistrust and antagonism, but this over the decades warmed. The wounds of separation, however, remained. The divisions were such that even families were divided.  Doctrinal disagreements within the IFI also contributed to further separation. One part of the IFI adopted a Unitarian theology, while the rest retained a Catholic theology. During the time of US sovereignty over the Philippines, the RCC lost its status as an established religion and Protestant churches began their missionary efforts. Most notable among these was the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA (PECUSA). Unlike the other Protestant churches, PECUSA committed itself to evangelizing the non-Christian tribes of the Philippines rather than converting the Roman Catholics.  During this time, the RCC in the Philippines started to be headed by Filipino bishops and more parishes were ministered by Filipino priests.

The USA recognized the Philippines as an independent and sovereign state on July 4, 1946, after a devastating war in which the country’s institutions were much damaged. These institutions included the churches. The Catholics, Protestants and the IFI began to rebuild. At this time, the IFI sought repair the schism within its flock. It sought bestowal of the Historic Succession from the PECUSA. The IFI committed itself to a Catholic understanding of the Church. In 1961, the IFI came into concordat with the PECUSA and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) when it became an autonomous Anglican province. The IFI is in full communion with the Anglican, Old Catholic and Lutheran churches.

The Episcopal Church assisted in coming up with the IFI liturgical books with a Filipino missal. This missal shows a marked Anglican influence while retaining the form of the Catholic Mass. As a result of the concordat, IFI clergy began training at the Episcopal Church seminary in Quezon City in Manila. 

At the eve of the Second Vatican Council in 1962, the RCC in the Philippines was headed by Filipino bishops and Archbishop Rufino Santos of Manila was already raised to the Cardinalate. Vatican II gave rise to an understanding that the Church of Christ “subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him, although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling toward catholic unity.” These words of Lumen gentium are much emphasized in the ecumenical declaration.

Much of the ecumenical developments since the papacy of St. John XXIII has come from this understanding. The ecumenical relationship of the RCC and IFI has become very close since then. The two Filipino churches have stood in solidarity in social justice, peace, preferential option for the poor, and environment stewardship and development since. The churches have sought mutual forgiveness for the sins of the past.

However one thorny issue remained and that is on baptism. Historical doctrinal disputes within the IFI have cast doubt on the validity of baptism conferred by the church. This has resulted in Catholic dioceses not recognizing IFI baptisms. IFI members received into the RCC were either conditionally baptized or baptized in the Catholic ritual. This is not the case for the Protestant churches. This year, these doubts have been erased. The RCC and IFI mutually recognize the sacrament conferred.

The IFI and RCC have committed themselves to “spiritual ecumenism.” As the IFI and RCC share much of the Catholic rites and traditions, the bishops of both churches encourage joint religious processions of the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Child and the saints, joint recitation of the Rosary, and celebrations of Evening Prayer at the parish level. While the IFI and RCC share much in common from the Catholic tradition, there are many differences still.

A major difference is that the IFI, like many of the Anglican churches today, admit women to Holy Orders. The RCC believes it does not have the authority to ordain women to the priesthood. In terms of discipline, not doctrinal differences, the IFI also allows for a married priesthood. A married priesthood is normative alongside a celibate priesthood in all the Eastern Catholic churches in full communion with the Pope, but in the RCC, a celibate priesthood is the norm. A married priesthood is allowed mainly for married former Anglican priests who are called to the Catholic priesthood.

The main goal of ecumenism is the restoration of full ecclesial communion. This will be a journey for the RCC and the IFI as well as all separated churches. The joint declaration of baptism and ecumenical action is like the start of a ‘long walk by two people who are truly close to each other” as one Filipino Episcopal bishop put it.

Will the IFI seek reconciliation through a model similar to Anglicanorum coetibus? It is possible, but this needs much reflection as the two churches recognize that the state of separation was not originally for doctrinal reasons, but born from the birthing of an independent nation. What the IFI stands for is a Filipino church, which the RCC in the Philippines has become in communion with Rome.

As both churches share a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin and her Holy Child Jesus, the ecumenical long walk will be led by a little child.
 

Benjamin M. Vallejo, Jr. teaches at the University of the Philippines and is with the Personal Ordinariate Catholics of the Philippines. 

Photos: (First) IFI and RCC bishops exchange liturgical books on Aug. 3, 2021. Credit: IFI Obispado Maximo. (Second) First Supreme Bishop of the IFI, Bishop Gregorio Aglipay. Credit: public domain.