IFI Diocese of Surigao

24/04/2026

17/04/2026

06/04/2026

ADVISORY TO THE CLERGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE IFI DIOCESE OF SURIGAO

04/04/2026

THE BISHOP OF SURIGAO, IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE, ISSUED THIS MORNING AN EASTER MESSAGE ADDRESSED TO THE IFI FAITHFUL IN SURIGAO AND TO ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS TO "PROCLAIM WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH THAT CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!"

THE TEXT OF HIS EASTER MESSAGE IS PRINTED IN FULL BELOW. KINDLY READ ON!
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EASTER MESSAGE

“Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised!” (Matthew 28:5)

BELOVED PEOPLE OF GOD IN IFI SURIGAO
AND ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL

Grace and peace be with you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Crucified and Risen Lord!

We proclaim with the whole Church: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The days leading up to this Easter were days of grief, fear, and uncertainty. Like Mary Magdalene, who came to the tomb in the darkness, we come to Easter carrying the weight of grief, confusion, and uncertainty. She saw the empty tomb but did not yet understand; she encountered absence before she recognised life in its newness.

We live in a time of deepening darkness: rising poverty that is burdening our communities, high prices of basic commodities driven by the continuing oil crisis, and workers struggling under meagre salaries that cannot sustain their families. Our farmers, who feed the nation, remain without just and lasting assistance. Our land is wounded by destructive mining, and our communities are overshadowed by militarisation and red-tagging that threaten lives and silence truth. Many feel abandoned by a government that appears unresponsive to the people's cries.

Beyond our shores, the darkness extends as wars of aggression—waged by powerful nations such as the United States and Israel—bring devastation and suffering to countless lives. In such realities, the promise of resurrection can seem distant, even difficult to grasp.

The Gospel tells us that Mary remained at the tomb, weeping. Yet it is precisely there—in the place of grief—that the Risen Lord reveals Himself. Not in spectacle, but in a moment of encounter, and recognition: “Mary.” She then turns, recognises, and responds, “Rabbouni!” (John 20:16). Here, the Resurrection is encountered as a living relationship. Christ meets her in her sorrow and pain, and calls her by name.

Here we bear witness to the heart of Easter. The Resurrection of Christ is God’s decisive “No” to all that destroys life, and God’s enduring “Yes” to justice, dignity, and peace. The One who was crucified by the powers-that-be— of injustice, has been raised, and in Him, God has unmasked the false power of oppression. Truth cannot be buried. Life will rise again.

Thus, Easter is not an escape from the suffering of the world. It is God’s entry into it—and God’s breaking-in, and works for the total transformation of it.

The Risen Christ calls us as He called Mary—not only to recognise Him, but to be sent: “Go to my brothers and say to them…” (John 20:17). From grief to mission, from silence to proclamation, from darkness to witnessing to the Light.

So it is with us. To be a people of the Resurrection is not to deny the realities of death around us, but to confront it, to counter it, and to proclaim that death does not have the final word. It is to stand where Christ stands—among the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalised—and to take part in God’s work of restoring life: to defend creation, to uphold human dignity, to work for justice, and to build communities of compassion and lasting peace.

As we renew our baptismal vows, we are called to hear again the voice of the Risen Christ calling us by name—and to respond with faithful and courageous action. Like Mary Magdalene, we are sent to proclaim not only with our lips but with our lives: “I have seen the Lord.” (John 20:18)

Beloved, the Resurrection assures us that even in the darkest hour, God is at work. The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty. Christ is alive—and He goes ahead of us in the mission of justice and peace, upholding life and dignity of every human person.

Therefore, let us not grow weary. Let us not turn away from the darkness, but confront it with the light of the Resurrection. Let us walk together as a Church—revolutionary and daring in care, prophetic in witness, and steadfast in hope—until the signs of new life become fully fulfilled in our communities.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

In Christ’s service,

++ RHEE
Bishop of Surigao
Iglesia Filipina Independiente

24/03/2026

MEETING OF THE SYNOD OF CLERGY
IFI Diocese of Surigao
Concillium, Diocesan Mission Center
March 23–25, 2026

Thirty-seven (37) clergy of the Diocese gathered at the Concillium of the Diocesan Mission Center for a three-day Synod of Clergy Meeting held from March 23 to 25, 2026.

Two pastoral workers were also present, joining the clergy in this important gathering. The meeting aimed to: (a) review the actions of the 2026 Diocesan Convention; (b) receive reports from the Deans and Ministers, including updates from the Diocesan Treasurer and the CBF Audit Findings and Recommendations; and (c) discuss the Bishop’s concerns.

The gathering was structured with devotional worship every morning and Eucharistic celebrations every afternoon, grounding the discussions in prayer and sacramental life.

During both morning and afternoon sessions, the Deans and Ministers of the Surigao South and Surigao North Deaneries presented reports on their respective ministries. The Bishop delivered his message at the beginning of the meeting, setting its direction and outlining key concerns for reflection and action.

24/03/2026

EARLY EVENING EUCHARIST
Monday, 5.30PM, March 23, 2026

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist served as the main feature of first day of the Clergy Meeting. It was celebrated by the three young clergy of the Diocese. Revd Joford Co**ha was the main celebrant together with Revd Dexter Elsisura and Revd PJ Calipusan as preacher. The three were priested last year, Dec 28, 2025, at the Cathedral Church,

Serving as deacon was Revd Dennis Cordovez, with other lay doing liturgical ministries as lectors.

The meeting would disperse on Wednesday morning, March 25, 2026.

21/03/2026

Day 3: March 21, 2026 – Saturday
(Closing Holy Eucharist)

The 28th Diocesan Women’s Congress concluded with a solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by the Bishop of Surigao as the main celebrant, together with all Mainland clergy of the Diocese in concelebration. Following the Post-Communion, the awarding of certificates took place, including the recognition of the Best Parish WOPIC of the Year. The Parish of Magupange was honored as the recipient, having consistently demonstrated outstanding performance, and was previously ranked first during the 31st Diocesan Convention months ago.

In his homily, the Bishop emphasized the healing power of God through Jesus Christ and encouraged the women to become instruments of healing within their communities. In his final blessing, he underscored the relevance of the Congress theme, calling everyone to become active witnesses in upholding the life and dignity of every human person.

09/03/2026

COME AND JOIN AND BE BLESSED

As part of the Convention-approved Annual Activities of the Diocese for the year 2026, a Simultaneous Sectoral Lenten Retreat will be conducted on March 12–14, 2026. This annual activity gathers the lay sectoral organizations of the Diocese, including the Church Women, Church Men, Youth, Clergy Spouses, and Clergy’s Children.

This retreat aims to bring together the leaders of these sectors for a meaningful Lenten gathering centered on Eucharistic worship and prayer. Through self-examination, introspection, renewal, and spiritual enrichment, participants are invited to deepen their faith and strengthen their identity as members of God’s family through their baptism.

Furthermore, the retreat seeks to equip participants to assist their respective ministers in planning and facilitating retreat activities within their own congregations later in the Lenten season. This shared experience affirms our collective call to grow spiritually and become more Christ-like in our daily lives.

The designated venues for the simultaneous gatherings are as follows:

Church Women – Masgad Church
Church Men – Nonoc Church
Youth – Sison Church
Clergy Spouses and Clergy’s Children – Cagtinae Church

The clergy of the Diocese are organized into four retreat teams, each led by the sectoral chaplain and assisted by the host minister and the diocesan sectoral president.

The retreat will center on the Lenten theme:

“Growing and Becoming Like Christ.”

We warmly invite all sectoral leaders to participate in this spiritually enriching gathering. Come, join us, and be blessed as we journey together in faith during this Lenten season.