The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) marked a historic milestone on December 5, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their Covenant of Partnership.
The event, held at the National Cathedral of the Holy Child in Manila, reaffirmed the churches’ shared mission to promote justice, peace, and human rights.
“Our cooperation has already trickled down to the dioceses, conferences, and the local churches,” said Rev. Irma Balaba, UCCP’s national program coordinator for Partnership and Ecumenical Relations, in an interview with Bulatlat.
The joint communique released during the event highlighted the steadfast partnership between the two churches, emphasizing how both “have faithfully lived out the Gospel of Jesus Christ” over the years.
“Together, we have pursued justice and peace with prophetic courage and conviction,” the communique declared. It further celebrated the blossoming of local and regional expressions of cooperation, which have inspired both clergy and laity to acts of “service, solidarity, and witness.”
The Covenant of Partnership, first signed on Nov. 28, 1999, reflects the churches’ enduring commitment to being “messengers of the Gospel’s gift of abundant life for all” by working to “dismantle the structures of oppression” that continue to affect Filipinos.
The celebration was attended by clergy, laity, and dignitaries from both churches, including UCCP Acting General Secretary Bishop Joseph G. Agpaoa, IFI Obispo Maximo The Most Rev. Joel O. Porlares, and other IFI bishops.
Representatives from the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and UCCP General Assembly Chairperson Mr. Jesse Garcia also graced the event.
“As we reflect on the history of the Covenant of Partnership, we recognize the strength found in our unity in our shared mission,” the communique stated, calling on members of both churches to “continue to walk humbly with our God, steadfast in our commitment to peace and justice, even in the face of vilification and persecution.”
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported in the 2020 census that 640,076 Filipinos identify as members of the IFI and 470,792 with the UCCP, making them the sixth and eighth largest religious affiliations in the country, respectively.
