Fr. Giljoe G. Potayre

31/08/2025

CLARIFICATION AND RESPONSE TO THIS STATEMENT | IFI Page Gallery

We understand that there are people who may view Obispo Maximo Gregorio Aglipay negatively, often describing him as a “heretic, schismatic, freemason, and excommunicated Catholic.” However, we believe it is important to put these claims in their proper historical and theological context so that we may look at Aglipay fairly — not just through the lens of labels, but through the reality of his life, faith, and service to the Filipino people.

1. On the Claim that Aglipay is the Founder of IFI

It is often said that Gregorio Aglipay is the founder of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). While Aglipay is indeed the most prominent leader of the IFI, it is more accurate to say that the Church was formally established in 1902 through the leadership of Isabelo de los Reyes, a nationalist writer, labor leader, and reformist who organized the Filipino clergy and laity to create a church free from colonial domination. It was De los Reyes who officially proclaimed the founding of the IFI and later invited Aglipay to lead it. Aglipay was then chosen and installed as its first Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop), making him the guiding figure and spiritual head of the new church.

2. Aglipay in the Context of History

Gregorio Aglipay (1860–1940) was not only a priest but also a patriot who stood with the Filipino people during the most difficult years of our struggle against Spanish colonialism. He was appointed Military Vicar General of the Philippine Revolutionary Government in 1898, where he ministered to soldiers and supported the cause of independence. His decisions were never about personal gain, but about the desire to see a free Filipino nation and a church that truly served its people.

3. On Excommunication and “Heresy”

It is true that the Roman Catholic Church excommunicated Aglipay in 1899. However, excommunication is not a measure of a person’s worth before God, but a disciplinary action by a church authority. Throughout Christian history, many people who were branded as “heretics” or “schismatics” were later recognized for their deep faith and contribution to the Church. In Aglipay’s case, his so-called “heresy” was tied to his refusal to submit to foreign ecclesiastical control during the colonial era. For him, faith must go hand in hand with freedom, justice, and dignity.

4. On Freemasonry

Yes, Aglipay, like many of our heroes (Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini), was connected to Freemasonry. But in the 19th century, Masonry in the Philippines was not primarily about rejecting religion; rather, it was a vehicle for education, reform, and the pursuit of freedom in the face of colonial and clerical abuse. For revolutionaries, it was one of the only safe spaces where Filipinos could think critically, organize, and work for liberation.

5. Why Aglipay is Honored

Aglipay is not worshipped, nor is he placed above God. Instead, he is honored as a patriot, reformer, and servant of the people. He reminds us of the struggle for national identity, social justice, and religious freedom. Honoring him is similar to how we honor Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio — we respect their memory not because they were perfect, but because they stood for what is right in their time.

6. Legacy of Faith and Nationalism

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) that he helped establish is not just a “church separated from Rome,” but a living witness of Filipino faith, rooted in love for God and love for country. Today, IFI continues to serve communities, preach the Gospel, defend human rights, and work for justice and peace — values that Aglipay himself held dear.

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In conclusion, whether one belongs to the IFI or the Roman Catholic Church, we can all agree that Gregorio Aglipay is an important figure in Philippine history. To dismiss him as “not worthy to be honored” is to dismiss the struggles of countless Filipinos who longed for dignity, justice, and faith expressed in freedom. Honoring Aglipay is not about division, but about remembering that our faith journey as Filipinos is inseparable from our history as a people.

31/08/2025

Church leaders demand urgent protection for Mindoro’s Indigenous peoples, denounce rights abuses, and press resumption of peace talks

20/08/2025

20/08/2025

Malacañang on Wednesday reminded Senator Robin Padilla to carefully review existing jurisprudence before pushing through with his proposed law mandating annual drug tests for all elected and appointed government officials.

20/08/2025

Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan, Nanindigan Laban sa Mapaminsalang Dredging at Pagmimina

Mariing tinutulan ng Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan ang anumang uri ng large-scale commercial dredging, sea bed o black sand quarrying at iba pang uri ng pagmimina sa mga ilog, dalampasigan, at baybayin sa Oriental Mindoro, na anila’y nagdudulot ng malubhang pinsala sa kalikasan at kabuhayan ng mga mamamayan.

Sa isang pastoral na pahayag na ipinalabas ni Apostolic Vicar Moises M. Cuevas, D.D. kahapon, Agosto 16, 2025, iginiit ng Simbahan na ang mga proyektong inuuna ang kita kaysa kaligtasan ng tao at kalikasan ay tiyak na magbubunga ng “mabigat at walang lunas na pinsala.”

Gayunman, nilinaw ng simbahan na hindi ito tutol sa pagsasaayos ng mga ilog kung ito’y bahagi ng isang siyentipikong plano para sa pagbawas ng pagbaha at nakabatay sa isang Flood Master Plan na may malinaw na disenyo at tamang pamamaraan ng pagpigil sa baha, basta’t walang bahid ng komersyal na interes.

Binigyang-diin ni Bishop Cuevas ang pangangailangang pairalin ang balanseng posisyon sa usapin, kasabay ng panawagan sa mga lider ng pamahalaan, siyentipiko, at mga mamamayan na magkaroon ng bukas na talakayan at “dayalogo” para sa ikabubuti ng nakararami.

Tinukoy din ng simbahan ang karanasan ng ibang lalawigan tulad ng Zambales at Cagayan, kung saan ang dredging na iniuugnay sa pagmimina ng buhangin ay nagdulot ng pinsala sa mga pampang at kabuhayan ng mamamayan. Anila, hindi dapat maulit ang ganitong trahedya sa Oriental Mindoro.

Bilang panawagang pastoral, hinikayat ng simbahan ang lahat na:

1. Manalangin para sa karunungan at pagkakaisa;

2. Siguruhin ang buong pangangalaga sa kalikasan habang ginagawa ang mga lehitimong proyekto laban sa baha;

3. Labanan ang maling impormasyon kaugnay ng isyu;

4. Makipagdayalogo nang may respeto sa kapwa; at

5. Ipaglaban ang interes ng mga mahihirap at mahihina na direktang maaapektuhan ng mga proyekto.

Dagdag pa ng simbahan, ang tamang pagdedesisyon sa usaping ito ay dapat palaging nakaangkla sa katotohanan, pag-ibig, at malasakit sa kalikasan na itinuturing na tahanan ng lahat.

20/08/2025

MANHID NA BA?

Katulad ng isang bakal na kailangang dinadarang sa apoy bago mapanday, hindi pa ba sapat ang mga kasong naririnig natin taon-taon tuwing Agosto sa ating Diyosesis upang mag-alab ang ating damdamin at konsensya?

Si Dion ay inilibing lamang ilang araw na ang nakalilipas ngayong Agosto. Si Kian ay pinaslang noong gabi ng Agosto 16, at si Jemboy naman ay inilibing din noong Agosto 16.

Hanggang kailan tayo mananatiling malamig at manhid, samantalang patuloy na nasusunog sa hirap at kawalan ng katarungan ang ating mga kapatid?

20/08/2025

'BAKIT HINDI PA NAGRERESIGN?'

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan questioned why Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan has not resigned yet despite anomalies in flood control projects nationwide, in reaction to Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s privilege speech on alleged corruption in these projects.

READ MORE: https://inqnews.net/BulacanFloodAnomalies

20/08/2025

'A win for the cause of the desaparecidos'

The Court of Appeals has granted the Privilege of the Writ of Amparo in favor of missing indigenous rights advocates Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil “Bazoo” De Jesus, officially declaring them victims of enforced disappearance. The ruling pointed to strong indications of involvement by state agents in their abduction.

“The Court’s decision gives us hope that they may soon be found, assuming the Respondents comply with its orders. While we know the road ahead remains long, this is a win not just for the families of Dexter and Bazoo, but for all indigenous rights advocates and human rights defenders," said in a statement by La Viña Zarate & Associates', who represented the victims' families.

20/08/2025

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, Bishop Gerry Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos and Vice-Chair of the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace addressed a forum for the UN International Day for the World's Indigenous Peoples:

In essence, our Indigenous Peoples are marginalized. We IGNORE their cultures. The majority IGNORES cultural minorities because it benefits us... it is to our advantage, our gain, our comfort.

We IGNORE their suffering.

The Church has been complicit. This was included in a pastoral statement that the CBCP released just a few days ago:

'[W]e are reminded of the enduring wounds of historical injustices, particularly the disturbing land dispossession suffered by our indigenous peoples. The Church acknowledges its past complicity and seeks to redress these wrongs, guided by the call to ‘pursue justice, and only justice… that you may live and inherit the land’ (Dt. 16:20)'.***

+Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, DD
Bishop of San Carlos
Vice Chair of CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace
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***Pastoral Letter on the Plight of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Communities especially the Molbog and Cagayanen in Palawan, CBCP, 6 August 2025

20/08/2025

FILIPINO CHRISTIAN YOUTH ECHO MADONNA’S PLEA FOR THE POPE TO VISIT GAZA

For Immediate Release, August 13, 2025
Reference: Kej Andres, SCMP National Chairperson

Filipino ecumenical youth group Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) echoes the statement of singer Madonna for Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, to visit Gaza. The pop icon posted on Instagram last Monday as a plea to help stop the massive starvation and killings of children and other citizens in Gaza.

“We also plea to the Holy Father to visit Gaza and extend his grace, support, and solidarity for the suffering Palestinians who have experienced genocide and apartheid even before 1948. No one, even Christians and their churches in Gaza, has been spared from bombings, shootings, and systematic starvations by Israel. We need more church leaders to speak up and take action,” said Kej Andres, SCMP National Chairperson. “We believe solidarity will surely come a long way. Even though Madonna has been seen by some Christians as controversial, during these dire situations, we are hopeful that we have a common humanitarian cause that can unite us against the real evils of this world,” Andres added.

It can be remembered that last July, Gaza’s only Roman Catholic Church was hit by an Israeli bomb where there have been casualties and injuries. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Pope have continued to criticize Israel’s war, although Israel said that it was merely an accident. Before this, other churches, hospitals, and facilities, and personnel from different Christian churches have also been hit by Israeli weapons and troops. The UN warned of having the “worst-case scenario of famine” in a context where more than 75,000 have been reportedly killed since October 2023.

“We challenge the Pope to denounce the root cause of the hellish conditions in Palestine—the massive backing and motivation of the United States in this crisis to maintain and further its greed. Even though he is an American, we hope that this will not blind the Supreme Pontiff on the real causes of the sufferings of millions of Palestinians,” Andres appealed.

Israel has consistently been the number one recipient of US military aid. Since October 7, 2023, the US has reportedly given $17.9 billion worth of security assistance to Israel, although many say that this is partial and does not account for continuous and immense aid even before. Many analysts have pointed out how Israel is strategic for the US in continuing its economic and military hegemony in the Middle East.

“In the final analysis, while having very considerable influence, it is not up to the Pope or Madonna who will be decisive on the outcome of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. It is up to the Palestinians and the peoples of the world in solidarity to end this horrific chapter in our history. Through our pressure on governments and other offices, our collective efforts have pushed personalities and institutions to recognize the crisis and struggles present. We, the laity, can do so much more,” Andres ended.

JOIN THE CANDLE-LIGHTING AND PROTEST ACTION LATER, AUGUST 13, TO CONDEMN THE KILLING OF AL JAZEERA TEAM OF JOURNALISTS
afternoon, UP Diliman



Filipino Christian youth, stand with Palestine! : bit.ly/joinSCMP

07/08/2025

Good night sa tanan

16/03/2024

Understanding Corporation Sole and Religious Society (Aggregate) as provided for by the Revised Corporation Code