IFI PROCLAMATION

In 1902, when the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) was proclaimed on August 3, 1902, the proclaimers of this Church vowed to established a Church free from the dictate of the Pope of Rome. The Temporary Constitution was signed on October 1, 1902 and the first Mass was held in Tondo, Manila on the last Sunday of October (October 26) 1902. On the first Sunday of November (November 7) 1902, in the morning, Fr. Gregorio Aglipay led the celebration of the Mass at Malabon and in the afternoon, he celebrated a Mass in Pandacan after the women of Pandacan ousted a Spanish friar in the Roman Catholic Parish of Pandacan. On the last Sunday of November (November 28) 1902, a “visita” in (Peñfrancia) Paco was transformed into an IFI Parish.

THE FIRST OBISPO MAXIMO

On January 18, 1903, Fr. Gregorio Aglipay was consecrated bishop of the IFI and eventually assumed as the first Obispo Maximo. The first national cathedral of the IFI was based in Tondo. In June (Feast of the Holy Trinity) 1903, the Parish in Pasay was founded.

The IFI dioceses were created and the first diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Maynila was Bishop Jose Evangelista. The Diyosesis of Maynila as the prime Diocese of the IFI served as the base of the mission and ministry of the first Obispo Maximo. In Tondo Cathedral, the “seminary” for the formation of young people was established. One of the graduates was Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr.

MARIA CLARA CHURCH

On September 28, 1924, the Maria Clara Christ’s Church was inaugurated. The best-known religious statue in this parish is the Birhen ng Balintawak (Our Lady of Balintawak). The first parish priest was Fr. Isabelo delos Reyes, Jr. The Novenaryo para sa Bayan was first implemented in this parish.

In 1925, Maria Clara Christ’s Church was made as the seat of the Bishop Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr., the second diocesan bishop of Maynila.

DIOCESE OF MANILA AND QUEZON CITIES

In 1936, the diocese was renamed into the Diocese of Manila and Quezon Cities because of the IFI missionary endeavors in the Quezon City. In 1957, the diocese was renamed into the Diocese of Manila, Quezon and Pasay Cities and the Diocesan Bishop was Bishop Macario V. Ga.

MARIA CLARA CHRIST'S CHURCH

The City of Manila was bombed by the American forces in February 1945. The IFI national cathedral was burnt. From 1946 until 1969, Maria Clara Christ’s Church became the seat of the Obispo Maximo, then OM Isabelo de los Reyes.

Maria Clara Christ’s Church as a parish extended its mission and ministry in the communities of Sampaloc, Tatalon, Balingasa and Kangkong. Tondo parish was re-established along Asuncion St. (Divisoria), Tondo, Manila. The congregations of Bacood, Sta. Mesa and Punta, Santa Ana are mission chapels of Mandaluyong parish. UP parish was a product of the Concordat Joint Council’s campus ministry in University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

In 1960s, the parishes of Balingasa, Kangkong, Bacood and UP were formally established. Tatalon and Punta were elevated into missions of the diocese. Paco parish has a congregation in Fabie Estate, Paco, Manila.

Maria Clara Christ’s Church also was the center of leaders of the sectoral organizations (men, women and youth) while Paco was designated as Pro-Cathedral.

As the seat of the Obispo Maximo, Maria Clara Christ’s Church was the campaign center for fund raising starting in 1964 for the building of the national cathedral located at Taft Avenue which was inaugurated on May 8, 1969.

The UP parish of the Holy Cross as the IFI student ministry in UP Diliman was based became the have of IFI youth activists in 1964 which founded University of the Philippine Philippine Independent Church Student Association (UPPICSA) and eventually the organization of the IFI youth came into being.

THE NEW NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

When the national cathedral of the Holy Child was established in 1969, it became the seat of the Obispo Maximo and most of the congregations of Maria Clara Christ’s Church transferred to the new national cathedral.

The seat of the diocesan bishop of Manila was transferred in Pasay parish. From 1971 to 1981, the diocesan bishops of the diocese were: (to be researched)

DE LOS REYES CROSS AWARD

On October 10, 1972, the De los Reyes Cross Award was started by the Maria Clara Church and those first group of recepients were: Fructouso Sabug, Ella Cabreza, Victorina Villanueva and Guillermo Narvaez.

DIOCESE OF GREATER MANILA

In 1977, Bishop Manuel Lagasca II was elected General Secretary and he was installed as “Metropolitan Bishop”. His diocesan seat was the Parish of Pasay and the diocese was renamed into a “Diocese of Greater Manila”. Bishop Lagasca offered himself as one of the candidates to the Office of Obispo Maximo in May 1981 but he was lost.

DIOCESAN BISHOP GREGORIO DE LOS REYES

In 1981, Bishop Gregorio de los Reyes was appointed as diocesan bishop Manila, Pasay and Quezon Cities and his pastoral seat was the Maria Clara Christ’s Church. The diocese implemented the 1977 Constitution and Canons.

In 1980s, the “de facto” service and educational arm of the diocese was the National Priest Organization (NPO). The Leadership Bodies Orientation was initiated by the diocese.

Almost all of the leaders of NPO became the parish priests of the parishes in the Diocese. The expansion of the diocese continued. The UP parish of the Holy Cross had established the Krus na Ligas Mission and Palanas Mission. Pandacan parish has established the Congregations in Beata, Sulukan and Kahilum.

1980's

DIYOSESIS NG KALAKHANG MAYNILA

In 1992, the Diocese was renamed as the Diyosesis ng Kalakhang Maynila. It formulated the vision, mission and goals of the diocese and from that VMG the “Mission 2002 diocesan program was formulated and approved. For the first time, a diocesan program coordinator was appointed.

Vision:

The Diocese of Greater Manila upholds and commits itself to pursue its formation into a truly living and witnessing community of new men and women faithful to the life and work of Jesus Christ its Lord; dedicated to the worship of God and service to the people and nation; consistent with the historical vocation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente; responsible stewards of the integrity of God’s creation; and willing instruments to the renewing and transformative work of the Holy Spirit to bring about God’s kingdom of justice and peace.

Mission:

The Diocese seeks to realize its vision through:

• the enhancement and deepening of its faith, the proclamation of the Gospel and witnessing of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by the formation of Christian values and lifestyles geared towards responsible stewardship of God’s gifts and creation;
• shaping of its liturgy and worship to become truly expressive of IFI ethos and the life situation and experiences of people in communities;
• implementation of the stewardship and resource generation program, with emphasis on the centralization of funds and the build-up of the buffer fund; and, advocacy of, and support to, various ministries and movements discerned as inspired by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit in resolution to issues and problems affecting the people, in particular, and to the transformation of society.

Goals:

1. To engage in a missionary and evangelistic work in the Diocese.
2. To implement a sound and consistent stewardship and finance generation program.
3. To embark a liberating kind of education and nurture program in the Diocese.
4. To establish a service oriented and community directed program and support system in the Diocese.

Program General Thrust

Invigorate and Organize the Membership of the Church by Pursuing Concrete and Creative Activities that Educate, Nurture, Enhance, Deepen and Empower Their Faith and Commitment as Stewards and Servants of God and Country.(Pro Deo Et Patria)

Program Areas of Concern:

1. Stewardship, resource generation and financial managment
2. Ministry, education and worship
3. Mission, service/witnessin (social concern) ecumenical relation

The diocesan program implemented programs that are being implemented until now. The Lay Ministers training produced some good lay ministers on the diocese. The activities of the diocesan sector organizations flourished.

The IFI members of IFI from Antique established the Sucat Mission (Parañaque) the “congregation that separated from the Roman Catholic Church” formed the Bagong Silang Mission (Caloocan), and a congregation in Novaliches, Quezon City declared “allegiance” to the IFI in the diocese.

In 2002, the Diocese strived to implement the National Church Program based on its Ten-Year Strategic Program and the Three-Year Rolling Plan.

The diocese, in 2002 encountered a problem of its Seafarers program. The Novaliches Mission had declared separation from the Diocese during that period.

In 2005, the diocese revived the implementation of the diocesan program which focused to some areas, like lay ministry training, continuing theological education, leadership bodies orientation, among others.

In 2011, the diocese struggled with financial crisis and payables at the Central Office. Series of discussion were made during Joint Clericus and Diocesan Council meetings. Financial difficulties did not hinder the Diocese to look for ways and means to continue its life and ministry, rather it was a reality the Diocese had to face the “payables” due to the weakness of the leadership and the treasurer.

Programs were drawn to help reinvigorate the whole Diocese through study and workshop held in IFI Pasay City in the last quarter of 2011.

A proposal was made to look into the condition of the DGM, particularly its unique historical roots and context as a diocese /local church.

At the time, all parishes and missions followed the Centralization of funds 16% - 84% policy for all incomes/receipts excluding restricted funds, like building funds, program funds, etc… duly approved by the parish/mission conventions.

In Standardization of funds for the parishes and missions, all parish priests receive a basic salary of Php 10,000 monthly, excluding UP which is Php 8,000, and Php 7,000.00 for those assigned in the missions.

To meet a standard salary of Php 7,000.00 for the assigned priests to the Missions, Pandacan then Pro-Cathedral together with the Parishes of Balingasa, Kangkong, and Pasay contributed Php 2,000.00 each and Bacood Php 1,000.00 monthly for the Diocesan Mission Fund Support. This is to help subsidized the priests assigned in the Missions.

Paco had not yet shared its monthly contribution of Php 1,000.00 due to some concerns.

The continuity of the contributions from the parishes to the Diocesan Mission Fund Support had helped a lot to complete the Php 7,000.00 standard monthly salary for the missions:

• Php 2,000 for Krus na Ligas Mission
• Php 4,000 for Sucat Mission
• Php 4,000 Punta-Tatalon Missions
• Php 1,000 for Palanas Mission (starting September 2012)

Amidst the financial crisis in the Diocese, there are still parishes which remittances were delayed affecting greatly the Diocesan Mission Fund Support, giving dilemma to the treasurer where to get funds for the monthly needs.This has been the situation until now.

In addition, each parish has to contribute every month a Php 300.00 and Php 100.00 from the missions for the Diocesan Theological Fund.

This has been our effort to raise funds for future seminarians in our Diocese. We had few beneficiaries, both with success story and not so good ones.

To start anew amidst financial matters, issues and various concerns, the Diocese called for a two-day Diocesan Program Planning in February 2012. This was attended by members of the Diocesan Council and the Clergy held at NCCP Ecumenical Center. With high spirit, everybody was so hopeful: Yes, we can!

THE DIOCESAN PROGRAM PLANNING (DPP 2012)

Aimed to draw ways and means to surpass all undesirable experiences it has had in the past years. Everybody was so positive and each committed to support, to work and to implement the approved program plans.

Likewise, the DPP was to prepare the Diocese for the implementation of the General Mandate from the National Church duly approved in the General Assembly: the 40/60 Centralization of Funds due in 2013; the Standardization of Clergy Salary; and in preparation to the Diocesan 2014 Reshuffling.

The body studied and reflected God’s teaching on being a good steward based on the readings of the Gospel of Mark 12:1-12, in relation to the basic foundation in establishing churches during the time of Jesus’ apostles, read from Acts 2:43-47; 4:32-37; and 5:1-11.

The readings post a real challenge to the whole body as expressed in the reflections sharing. The clergy affirmed to take the lead following the minimum Christian giving like the early Christian community.

A lengthy discussion on pledges and tithes led the clergy to commit, that starting January 2012, all clergy must give their tithes, the 10% of their salary received from their church assignments. It will be reflected in the remittance form as clergy tithe.

Another agreement met was to require all officers in the councils from diocesan to parish/mission levels and sectoral organizations as pledgers to set examples.

General funds and restricted funds were discussed, categorized and identified including donations, “alkansya”, solicitations, donation boxes of saints, etc…

Everybody agreed to implement the Vision Mission Goal or VMG of the Diocese adopted in 1992 and this will set the direction to the work, mission and ministry of the whole diocese.

Adopted 2013-2014 Programs for implementation:

1. Christian Education, Lay Formation and Theological Education
2. Stewardship, Resource Generation and Financial Management System Liturgy and Music

Ecumenical Relations and Social Concern (including Prison Ministry/Chaplaincy)

Strengthening of the Leadership Bodies. Strengthening of the Mandated Organizations: WOPIC, LIFI, YIFI

The Diocese will abide all the programs approved by the General Assembly, Execom and the Central Office especially the Centralization of Funds in the Diocesan level, the 60/40% comes December 2013.

The Diocesan Reshuffling will be in April-May 2014.

What, how, when and other details like objectives, focus, schedules, methodology and particularization as to program implementation the whole year round were presented, discussed and adopted during the 2012 Diocesan Program Planning.

However, after a week, everything was cut short even before the whole output of DPP reached the parishes and missions. No Clericus, no Diocesan Council meeting…

Upon the retirement of Bishop Greg de los Reyes, effective on June 30, 2012, the Diocese was under the Obispado Maximo with His Eminence The Most Rev. Ephraim Fajutagana as Bishop-in-Charge of the DGM from June 2012 to November 2013.

During this time, the Clergy and the Diocesan Council tried their best to resolve monetary matters at the same time faced other issues.

It was really a difficult time for the Diocese grappling to withstand against all odds especially in later part of 2012, where some members of the Diocesan Council resigned. It took some time to have their replacement. At the same time there were problems in the parishes that need much attention.

To regularize the remittances from the parishes and missions became the primary concerned of the diocese. A new Diocesan Treasurer was appointed by the OM: Rev. Buddy Ballesteros.

To resolve some parochial problems, a special arrangement had been done to avoid more rift among the members. At the same time the clergy were all reminded to comply required annual reports to be submitted.

To work out the limitation, the parishes and missions were asked to submit year-end reports and Parish/ Mission Profile to help us see where we were lacking. But some of the parishes and missions failed to comply.

Understandably, the clergy lacked fervor with a financially – trodden diocese. The challenge to rebuild trust anew and ascent to start again became a call among the clergy, members of the Diocesan Council and in the whole Diocese.

In February 8, 2013, a whole-day Program Workshop attended by the clergy was held in IFI Balingasa. The Diocesan Profile presented and was approved. The Diocesan Program was discussed. The clergy also studied and reflected the Clergy Rule of Life.

The following months were devoted to program reviews and to identify some workable plans that the diocese could carry till the end of the year 2013 while anticipating the Regular Triennial Diocesan Convention comes February 2014.

The Diocesan VMG was reviewed. It was translated to Pilipino and it is included in the study of the Diocesan Profile. The Pilipino version is this:

“Ang Ating Mithiing Pangarap sa Ating Diyosesis” in 2014:

Ang Diyosesis ng Kalakhang Maynila ay pinagtitibay at itinatalaga ang kanyang sarili sa patuloy niyang paghubog ng kanyang sarili bilang tunay na buhay na saksing komunidad ng mga bagong mananampalataya sa buhay at gawain ng Panginoong Jesu-Kristo na ating Panginoon; na matapat na paglalaanan ang pagsamba sa Diyos at paglilingkod sa Kanyang sambayanan sa gabay na aral ng kanyang kasaysayan; patuloy na magiging responsableng tagapamahala ng biyaya ng Diyos at ng integridad ng kanynag buong sangnilikha; at magiging matapat na kasangkapan Niya sa pagbabagong gawa ng Banal na Espiritu upang patuloy na maganap ang Kanyang kalooban.

As agreed, all sectors were required to study the Diocesan Profile and Diocesan VMG as part of the re-orientation program. Only the LIFI and WOPIC had finished it while YIFI had partially taken. But common to the three sectors only minimal number had taken the orientation.

Meanwhile, the annual activities the Diocese has had been carried out through such as the Family Day and the Double Ten.

Due to limited time for preparation, the clergy recommended not to hold the Family Day but the UP Parish volunteered to host the 2013 Diocesan Family Day. This was the start of the idea for parish/mission hosting the annual event to decentralize preparation and instead to encourage participation from the ground.

In 2013, Bishop Bartolome Espartero was appointed Interim Bishop of the Diocese. The Mission of the Good Shepherd in Cainta, Rizal joined the Diocese.

DIOCESAN BISHOP BARTOLOME ESPARTERO

In January 2014, Bishop Bartolome Espartero was elected diocesan bishop of the diocese. In 2014, the diocesan convention approved the Diocesan Program Thrust for 2014-2017.

This is based on the Three Year Rolling Plan (TYRP) and Ten Year Strategic Plan (TYSP) of the National Church.

The Diocesan Program’s Major Areas:

1. Ministry, Education and Worship (MEW). The components of this area are:
   1. Lay Formation and Ministry (LFM)
   2. Christian Education and Nurture (CEN)
   3. Liturgical Renewal (LR)

   Lay Formation and Ministry

   This shall focus on campaign for lay formation and ministry; and renewed program of awareness building on the IFI’s DFAR, liturgical traditions, doctrines, practices and policies of the Church, as well as on the IFI’s continuing historic heritage by citing the biblico-theological and historical basis of the IFI’s continuing prophetic role and social involvement.

   Christian Education and Nurture

   This will seek a Christian education that is wholistic, i.e. for the realization of the Shalom and for the empowerment of the marginalized and the oppressed. Nurturing is focused on a continuing process of educating, enabling, integrating and interrelating individuals and communities to come together to participate in God’s Oikoumene.

   Liturgical Renewal

   Liturgical renewal shall be dovetailed with the education and ministry components of this specific program area, given that the Church liturgy and music are integral to the living traditions of Christian worship in the IFI. The documentation, review, renewal and production of the Diocesan liturgical materials will be the focus of this component.

2. Mission, Services/Witness and Relations (MSWR). The components of this area are:
   1. Social Action and Advocacy
   2. Consolidation for Mission
   3. Ecumenical Relations and International Affairs

   Social Action and Advocacy

   Christian witness is manifested in the Church’s willingness to immense and actively participate with the struggle with the poor, depressed and oppressed in the Philippine society. Organizing, advocacy, social action are areas of concern wherein the Diocese seeks, in general, to be involved in the strengthening of people’s participation in social action, while undertaking welfare activities for those in dire need.

   Consolidation for Mission

   Locally, this is focused on the continuing study of all the faithful of the Diocese, so as to continue strengthening their faith, and for them to be fully aware of social witness as an essential part of their relationship to the Risen Lord, and to consolidate them towards the Church’s continuing mission.

   Ecumenical Relations

   The Diocese shall continue to strengthen its ecumenical work with other belief, churches, and faith-based institutions in its canonical jurisdiction. Furthermore, the Diocese is committed to participate and support local and global activities/campaigns that call for peace based on justice; in initiating dialogues with the believers and other religions; and, to strengthen ecumenical unity and solidarity in all aspects of the Diocesan work internally and externally.

3. Stewardship, Resource Generation & Management (SRGM). The components of this area are:
   1. Stewardship and Resource Generation
   2. Human Resource Development and Management

   In keeping the local Church moving in faith, witness and service, financial and human resource programs will have to be formally instituted so the operation of the Diocese can be improved and strengthened to respond to the various needs of its programs and plans.

   Aside from improving its financial capabilities in fully supporting its programs and operations, the Diocese should also be more attentive to institutional development, especially in enabling and honing its church workers whether clergy or laity, who will be implementing the Diocesan plans and programs.

   It is imperative that human resource development activities be enhanced to include skills development and upgrading on the following: project planning, and financial management; report writing; office management and decorum, leadership training and values enhancement; program evaluation; organizing and advocacy concern; and many other relevant tasks that need to be efficiently and effective done, so that the Diocese can reach out with relevance, meaning and purpose to its members and to the rest of the Filipino nation who are seeking relevance in the IFI’s uniqueness as a people’s church.

   The Chapel in Fabie Estate, Paco, was elevated into Mission of the Holy Cross in 2014.

THE DIOCESE OF GREATER MANILA AREA

In 2017, Fabie Mission declared separation from the Diocese but in 2019, the Mission leaders had returned to the fold of the diocese. Bagong Silang Mission was not also supervised and until now, there is no update about it.

In February 2017, the name of the diocese was declared by the leadership of the Church as the Diocese of Greater Manila Area.

The Sectoral Organizations was strengthened. In March 2017, the LIFI was re-organized. In May 2017, the YIFI was reorganized. Regular meetings of the sectoral organizations should ensure that the diocesan program and their particular sectoral organizations programs would be taken care of.

In May 2017, the new Obispo Maximo was elected. Bishop Bartolome Espartero in September 2017 Supreme Council of Bishops (SCB) meeting resigned as diocesan bishop. In January 2018, the Obispo Maximo, His Eminence Rhee Timbang appointed retired Nueva Ecija diocesan bishop, Bishop Warlito Baldomero, as Assisting Bishop to the Obispo Maximo in the Diocese of Greater Manila. The task of the AB was to facilitate a special diocesan Convention to elect a new Diocesan Bishop.

2017

DIOCESAN BISHOP SALVADOR BALLESTEROS

In September 2018, Bishop Salvador Ballesteros was elected as bishop of the IFI. On November 4, 2018, Bishop Salvador Ballesteros was consecrated as new diocesan bishop of the diocese.

CATHEDRAL OF THE CRUCIFIED LORD (DIOCESAN CATHEDRAL)

In January 2019, Bishop Salvador Ballesteros presided the diocesan convention in the Parish of Pasay which approved the diocesan program that focus on Stewardship, Resource Generation and Management (SRGM). SRGM committee encourages that this program, the parishes and missions to increase the number of pledgers and increase the pledges.

On May 1, 2019, the Kangkong Parish was institutionalized as the Diocesan Cathedral and the diocesan bishop was formally installed. In May 2019, he announced a reshuffling of clergy in May 2020. In June 2019, Fabie Mission returned to the Diocese. On the last quarter of 2019 and January 2020, all parishes shall have elected new set of parish and mission councils.