The Philippine Independent Church (officially Spanish: Iglesia Filipina Independiente, IFI, Ilocano: Siwawayawaya nga Simbaan ti Filipinas, Tagalog: Malayang Simbahan ng Pilipinas, Kinaray-a: Simbahan Hilway nga Pilipinhon; also known as the Philippine Independent Catholic Church) is a Christian denomination of the Catholic tradition in the form of a national church in the Philippines. Its separation from the Roman Catholic Church was proclaimed by members of the first labour unions federation in the country, the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina in 1902. Isabelo de los Reyes was one of the initiators of the separation, and suggested that Gregorio Aglipay be the head of the church. It is also known as the Aglipayan Church after its first Supreme Bishop, Gregorio Aglipay.
The Catholic Church acted severely against promoters of the national church, with the Pope instructing the Archbishop of Manila to excommunicate those who initiated the schism. Since 1960 the church has been in full communion with the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (and through it with the entire Anglican Communion), and since 1965 with the Old Catholic Union of Utrecht.
The current Obispo Máximo is The Most Rev. Ephraim Fajutagana D.D., whose central office is in the National Cathedral of the Holy Child along Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila.
Read more about Philippine Independent Church: Councils and Sectoral Organizations, Declaration of Faith, Articles of Religion, Notable Aglipayans/Filipinistas, List of Obispos Máximos, Saints, Dioceses, Seminaries
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