[Anglican Communion News Service] The Obispo Maximo, or Supreme Bishop, of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) has made an appeal for better communication and information sharing between Anglican/Episcopal Churches around the world.

On a visit to the Anglican Communion Office, the Most Reverend Ephraim Fajutagana said he greatly values learning about what other National Churches and Provinces are doing around the globe, and said more collaboration, sharing and co-operation could only improve the work of the church.

“What is a problem in the Philippines, poverty for example, is not only a problem in the Philippines, it is a worldwide issue. Human trafficking is not only a problem in the Philippines, but also a problem elsewhere in the world, here in the UK as well. When we attended an international summit on migrants in the US we heard an Episcopal priest share something of that Church’s efforts against human trafficking. Trafficking doesn’t just victimise people in the Philippines, but also Americans.

“We want communications to be better between churches so we can hear more about how Churches achieved what they did. How did they succeed in bringing that concern to the government in a way that the government responded positively?”

The Archbishop said this shared of knowledge, experience and resources was once of the strengths of the worldwide church and being associated with the Anglican Communion.

He also praised global communications vehicles including Anglican World magazine* saying that such publications enabled Churches across the world to learn from and share with one another.

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente, is the second largest Christian Church in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church. It is in full Communion with the Anglican Communion and has advocacy very much at its heart. As part of its ministry to spread the Good News of Christ, its priests and laity work to speak out on behalf of the poor and marginalised in the Philippines. An ongoing campaign is calling for an end to political killings in the country and to the culture of impunity for the killers. Click here to sign the petition

Archbishop Ephraim—accompanied by his chaplain Fr Osborne Ortaleza and Fr Salvador Telen**—said a lack of national peace and order, a lack of transport for clergy and a lack of priests were the biggest challenges for the IFI.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

·         The Philippine Independent Church is affiliated with the Old Catholics and the Anglican Communion and has around six million members. Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church), an independent church, has Concordat relationships with the Anglican provinces and the Old Catholic Church. Its members are spread throughout the Philippines, the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. The spiritual head is called Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop). His Eminence Ephraim S. Fajutagana is the incumbent and the 12th Obispo Maximo.

·         *Anglican World magazine, that contained articles about the life and work of Provinces of the Anglican Communion, ceased production in 2008 due to the cost of production. There are plans to relaunch it in 2013.

·         **Until recently chaplain to London’s Filipino community in England