The Philippine Independent Church, (officially the Spanish: Iglesia Filipina Ind

ependiente or the IFI, also known as the Philippine Independent Catholic Church
or in Ilocano: Siwawayawaya nga Simbaan ti Filipinas (in Tagalog: Malayang Simba
han ng Pilipinas), is a Christian denomination of the Catholic tradition in the
form of a national church. The church was founded by the members of the first fe
deration of labor unions in the country, the Union Obrera Democratica (UOD) in 1
902. Isabelo de los Reyes was one of the founders of the church and suggested th
at Gregorio Aglipay[1][2] be the head of the church. It is also known as the Agl
ipayan Church, after its first obispo maximo, Gregorio Aglipay.
The Roman Catholic Church acted severely against the founding members in 1902 fo
r their actions in setting up an independent church. The Pope instructed the Arc
hbishop of Manila to excommunicate the founders from the Catholic Church. [3]
Since 1960 the church has been in full communion with the Episcopal Church in th
e United States of America (and through it with the entire Anglican Communion).
Since 1965, it has been in full communion with the Old Catholic Union of Utrecht
Association of Churches.
Today the Philippine Independent Church, or Aglipayan Church, is the second larg
est Christian denomination in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church. M
ost of the members of the church are from the northern part of the island of Luz
on, especially in the Ilocandia region, home of the first supreme bishop. The ch
urch has 10 dioceses, including the Diocese of the United States and Canada. How
ever, due to a lack of priests, many parishes in the USA must depend on lay lead
ers.
The current Obispo Maximo is the Most Reverend Godofredo J. David, (112th bishop
) who has his central office in the capital of the country, Manila, at the (Nati
onal Cathedral of the Holy Child in Taft Ave, Manila). His line of episcopal suc
cession goes back from the first Obispo Maximo Gregorio Aglipay.
The Philippine Independent Church is considered one of the products of the islan
ds' 1898 Revolution by which they won independence from Spain.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Independent_Church

Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ s Body th
e Church. It is a public statement of one s intentional decision to follow the way
of Jesus. In the case of infant baptism, it is the parents declaration of their
intent to raise a child in the way of Jesus. The bond which God establishes in B
aptism is indissoluble, so baptism is only administered once. When you choose to
be baptized yourself or to have your child baptized in the Episcopal Church, it
means you are choosing to live out the Baptismal Covenant in the context of an
Episcopal church community, taking your part in the worship, mission and ministr
ies of the local parish. Baptism is open to all people, regardless of age or bac
kground.
If you feel called to be baptized, or to have your child baptized, the first ste
ps are to attend a local parish regularly and to talk to the clergy about baptis
m. Most churches require candidates for baptism to undertake some intentional pr
eparation. That preparation should include study of the Baptismal Covenant and w
hat it contains, and what it can mean for your life. One should also learn about
the symbol of water, about the importance of the Trinity the Father, Son, and Hol
y Spirit in whose name the baptism is administered, and about the Scripture storie
s that illuminate the meaning and symbolism of Baptism.
Baptism can be regarded as the beginning of a spiritual path and not the culmina
tion of one. It is not necessary that a candidate for baptism fully understand n
or be comfortable with every word of the Christian Creeds and doctrines from the
outset, but rather be ready to embark on the rich path of discovery into the wa
y, truth and life of Jesus Christ.
If you are new to the Episcopal Church and have already been baptized in another
denomination, you may wish to renew your faith life. If this is the case, you m
ay be Received or Confirmed in the Episcopal Church, rites which your local pari
sh can help you learn about and discern whether they are appropriate for you. Wh
erever you come from and whatever your faith background, the Episcopal Church we
lcomes you!
http://www.dioceseny.org/pages/74-baptism

ARTICLES OF RELIGION
WE HOLD TO THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES OF RELIGION TAUGHT BY THIS CHURCH:
1. Salvation:
Salvation is obtained only through a vital faith in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God, as Lord and Saviour. This faith should manifest itself in good works.
2. Holy Scriptures:
The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation, and nothing
which cannot be proved thereby should be required to be believed.
3. The Creeds:
The Articles of the Christian Faith as contained in the ancient Creeds kno
wn as the Apostles and Nicene Creeds are to be taught by this Church and accepted
by the faithful.
4. The Sacraments:
The Sacraments are outward and visible signs of our faith and a means wher
eby God manifests His goodwill towards us and confers grace upon us.
Two Sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion, commonly called the Mass, orda
ined by Christ Himself, are held to be generally necessary to salvation.
Baptism is necessary for salvation. It signifies and confers grace, cleans
ing from original sin as well as actual sin previously committed; makes us child
ren of God and heirs of everlasting life. It effects our entrance into the Churc
h of God. It is administered with water in the Name of the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost.
Confirmation, whereby, through the imposition of the Bishop s hands, anointi
ng and prayer, baptized Christians are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spi
rit and confirmed in the Faith.
Penance, the confession of sins as commanded by Jesus Christ.
The Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, taken a
nd received by the faithful for the strengthening and refreshing of their bodies
and souls.
Holy Unction, whereby the sick, especially one in danger of death, is anoi
nted with oil with prayer. He receives, if necessary, remission of sins, the str
engthening of his soul, and, if it be God s will, restoration to health.
 Holy orders, a Sacrament by which Bishops, Priests and Deacons are ordaine
d and receive power and authority to perform their sacred duties.
Holy Matrimony, a sacrament in which a man and a woman are joined together
in the holy estate of matrimony.
5. The Holy Eucharist:
The Holy Eucharist, commonly called the Mass, is the central act of Christ
ian worship. It is the sacrament of our redemption by Christ s death. Those who pa
rtake of it receive the Body and Blood of Christ. All who purpose to make their
communion should diligently try and examine themselves before they presume to ea
t of that Bread and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a tr
ue penitent heart and lively faith a man receive that Holy Sacrament, so is the
danger great if he receive the same unworthily.
The Mass is to be said in the official language of the Church in such a wa
y it can be heard by the worshipers.
The authorized Order for the celebration of the Mass is that set forth in
the Prayer Book adopted by this Church.
[...]
http://www.ifi.ph/ifi_articlesofreligion.content.htm