15/07/2023
STAND FIRM ON THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH AND LIFE
“Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NIV)
We, Bishops of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, condemn the malicious accusations and relentless attempts to vilify our ordained ministers and lay members as they bear witness to the Gospel of truth and life. A number of our bishops and priests, lay leaders and workers have been subjected to vilification and red-tagging, and face the dangers of being labeled as communists for involving themselves with human rights and social witness ministries.
Our Church has been unjustly accused by the government's National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) of being an "open sectoral organization" of the communist movement in the Philippines. This claim is false, and smells like lies from the bowels of hell. We see malicious accusations linking us to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed group New Peoples' Army (NPA) as a cunning attempt to stop us from serving the underprivileged and working with them to bring about significant social change, defend human rights and advocate good governance.
We have vehemently opposed—and will continue to oppose—government efforts to stigmatize the IFI. We also condemn any demonic plot to keep us from carrying out our Church’s historic mission in journeying with the Filipino people towards a country where everyone enjoys justice and peace.
We condemn the recent instance of the Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente being red-tagged on the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) television program "Laban Kasama ang Bayan," hosted by Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz. The two alleged that the youth camps organized by YIFI were NPA recruitment grounds; and that our bishops, priests and church organizations were participants in and supporters of the communist uprising in the nation. Serial red-taggers, Badoy and Celiz should not be trusted since they betray people of good will and ordinary citizens for thirty pieces of silver, as Judas did to Jesus.
We express our unwavering support to the YIFI’s National Youth Executive Council and applaud them for taking a courageous public stance against the onslaught on their organization, denouncing the SMNI program and its hosts Celiz and Badoy for spreading lies. We encourage YIFI members at all levels to continue organizing and joining youth camps, as well as other spaces where they could pray, reflect and work together.
We are grateful to all our clergy and lay people who, despite the violent attacks, have continued to live out their Christian discipleship, served those who have been wronged and proclaimed the Gospel. We thank you for standing up to those who want to sabotage the truth, for witnessing for God's righteousness, and for keeping your faith in the face of dangers. Your giving witness to our Christian faith inspires and emboldens us.
We know that Satan will never relent in his attempts to prevent us from doing the Lord’s work. Pray for strength and safety for one another. Lovingly defend and protect one another. As we all offer witness to the Gospel of truth and life, may these attacks on us not cause despair but rather spur us to greater courage and dedication. Name-calling, including red-tagging, should not fill us with fear. It should inspire a more resilient faith in God and a greater commitment to serving God’s people.
Let us keep the faith. Let us not allow lies about us deter us from living out our vocation to be in solidarity with the Filipino people in their struggles and aspirations.
For God's people,
Most Rev. Joel Porlares
Obispo Maximo
Rt Rev. Dindo Ranojo
General Secretary
Rt Rev. Joselito Cruz
Supreme Council of Bishops
Chairperson
Rt Rev. Rowel Arevalo
South-Central Luzon Bishops Conference
Chairperson
Rt Rev. Conrado de Guzman
North-Central Luzon Bishops Conference
Chairperson
Rt Rev. Alger Loyao Sr.
Visayas Bishops Conference
Chairperson
Rt Rev. Romeo Tagud
Mindanao Bishops Conference
Chairperson
July 15, 2023
