Supreme Bishop
 | This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (August 2016) |
Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church | |
|---|---|
| Bishopric | |
| Aglipayan | |
| Incumbent: Rhee Timbang since May 10, 2017 | |
| Information | |
| First holder | Gregorio Aglipay |
| Cathedral | Cathedral of the Holy Child |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Supreme Bishop (Spanish: Obispo Máximo), abbreviated O.M., is the leader or primate of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church), known informally as "Aglipayans". The Supreme Bishop is elected by the General Assembly of the Church and heads the Executive Commission, which is the highest policy-making body in the absence of the General Assembly. Rhee Millena Timbang was elected Obispo Máximo on 9 May 2017 by unanimous vote of delegates to the 13th Triennial General Assembly of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente after serving as bishop of the Diocese of Surigao. The Supreme Bishop's office is at the National Cathedral of the Holy Child, Taft Avenue, Manila. He is the thirteenth in a line of succession from Gregorio Aglipay, the first Obispo Máximo.[1]
List of Supreme Bishops
| No. | Supreme Bishop | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gregorio Aglípay y Labáyan D.D. | 3 August 1902 - 1 September 1940 | Longest reigning Obispo Máximo, Founder of IFI, and candidate for the 1935 presidential elections |
| 2 | Santiago Antonio Fonacier y Suguítan | October 1940 - 1946 | |
| 3 | Gerardo Bayaca y Medina | 1946 | |
| 4 | Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. y López Ph.D., D.D. | 1946-1972 | Son of IFI founder Isabelo de Los Reyes |
| 5 | Macario Ga y Vilches D.D. | 1972-1981 | Seceded from IFI and formed the Iglesia Catolica Filipina Independiente[2] |
| 6 | Abdias dela Cruz y Rebantád D.D. | 1981-1987 | |
| 7 | Solimán Ganno y Florés | 1987-1989 | From Bangui, Ilocos Norte |
| 8 | Tito Pasco y Esquillo | ||
| 9 | Alberto Ramento y Baldovino D.D. | 10 May 1997 - 10 May 2001 | From Guimba, Nueva Ecija |
| 10 | Tomás Millamena y Amabran D.D. | 10 May 2001 - 10 May 2007 | |
| 11 | Godofredo David y Juico D.D. | 10 May 2007 - 10 May 2011 | |
| 12 | Ephraim Fajutagana y Servanez D.D | 10 May 2011 - 10 May 2017 | From Odiongan, Romblon |
| 13 | Rhee Timbang | 10 May 2017 - present | From Surigao City, Surigao del Norte |
Election and term of office
The Supreme Bishop is the primate, spiritual head and chief executive of the Philippine Independent Church. A Supreme Bishop is elected every six years, and cannot be re-elected. He is responsible for the ecclesiastical government of the Church and is the spiritual head of almost 6 million Aglipayans throughout the Philippines and some dioceses in the United States and Canada.
See also
References
- ^ "Obispo Maximo". Philippine Independent Church. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "History - Iglesia Filipina Independiente". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
External links
| General |  | |
|---|---|---|
| African provinces | ||
| Pan-American provinces | ||
| Asian provinces |
| |
| European provinces |
| |
| Oceanian provinces | ||
| Extra-provincial churches | ||
| Churches in full communion | ||