The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) has announced the election of the second laywoman as its general secretary following its 26th General Convention.
Ms. Minnie Ann Mata-Calub, a lay leader of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or the Philippine Independent Church, was elected by NCCP’s highest policy-making body last week.
She previously served as the Acting General Secretary for a year, “demonstrating her commitment and leadership within the organization,” the NCCP said in a statement.
The General Convention coincided with the Council’s 60th anniversary, where NCCP reaffirmed its commitment to a “legacy of service and the pursuit of peace based on justice”.
“In its 60th year of the NCCP, it is an honor to serve the council and continue the good work it started six decades ago. I believe that God will bless our endeavors as we serve the people and our society, catering especially to the most vulnerable in our society,” said Mata-Calub.
In recent years, Mata-Calub held a significant role in the international ecumenical arena and as the vice moderator of the Action of Churches Together (ACT ALLIANCE).
“The Council will continue to pursue Christ’s mission for a life of dignity for all through ministries based on unity and justice,” she said.
The Council also elected Bishop Melzar Labuntog, General Secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines as Chairperson, and The Most Rev. Brent Harry W. Alawas, Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines as the vice-chairperson for men.
Ms. Jennifer Ferrariza-Meneses, Executive Secretary of the Board of Women’s Work of the United Methodist Church, and Pastor Jon Dave Angeles from the Iglesia Metodista En Las Islas Filipinas and former chairperson of the Kalipunan ng Kristianong Kabataan sa Pilipinas were elected as Vice-Chairpersons for women and youth, respectively.
Rev. Leonardo Morada, General Secretary of the Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal was elected as the Corporate Treasurer.
The newly elected officers, including Ms. Mata-Calub, will serve a four-year term from 2024 to 2027. NCCP is the largest aggrupation of mainline Protestant and non-Roman Catholic churches in the country.
