03/12/2024
๐๐๐, ๐จ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐๐ป๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) are set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their Covenant of Partnership with a special ecumenical liturgy on December 5, 2024, at the IFI National Cathedral of the Holy Child in Ermita, Manila.
In a joint communiquรฉ signed by IFI Obispo Maximo, The Most Rev. Joel O. Porlares, and UCCP Acting General Secretary, Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa, the two church leaders extended their invitation to the faithful and the wider ecumenical community to join in celebrating the milestone. The communiquรฉ emphasized the significance of unity and shared mission, stating, โIn this silver anniversary, we are called to deepen the bonds of unity that connect us. Together, we are encouraged to share Godโs message of hope with those who are struggling and to stand firmly in Godโs mission.โ
The statement further reaffirmed the commitment of both churches to their covenant, declaring, โWe reaffirm the spirit of our Covenant as we declare the year of the Lord's favor and work together to dismantle the structures of oppression that have held our people captive, making ourselves vessels of the Gospelโs gift of abundant life for all.โ
An ecumenical liturgy has been specially prepared for the occasion, incorporating elements from both IFI and UCCP liturgical traditions. Prayers and hymns celebrating the shared journey of the two churches will also be featured.
The event will kick off a yearlong series of activities to commemorate the covenant, including ecumenical youth camps, forums addressing social realities, joint theological discussions among seminarians and educators, and grassroots-level initiatives that highlight the local expressions of partnership.
The IFI and UCCP signed the Covenant of Partnership on November 28, 1999. Their shared journey dates back to the struggle for democracy during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. when both churches worked closely in the fight for freedom and human rights.