Several events ushered in the establishment of the Philippine Independent Church. President Emilio Aguinaldo’s appointment on October 20, 1899 Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay as Military Vicar General of the Filipino army and Apolinario Mabini’s Manifesto of October 23, 1899 calling an assembly of the Filipino clergy in Paniqui, Tarlac laid the foundations of the Philippine Independent Church. The general hostility of the people against the friars ensured the Church’s establishment.

In May, 1902, all the Ilokano priests in Ilokos Norte, led by Father Pedro Brillantes, held an assembly at Kullabaeng (now Pinili, Ilokos Norte) and approved the establishment of the Philippine Independent Church. They anointed Father Brillantes the first bishop of this Church. This initiative was strengthened by a petition of the people of Navotas. On August 3, 1902, a mass meeting was held at Zorilla Theater. D. Isabelo de los Reyes’ proposal to establish a Filipino Church independent of Rome with Msgr. Aglipay as the Supreme Bishop was unanimously approved.

The Philippine Independent Church is a tangible result of the 1896 Revolution. Its establishment on August 3, 1902 fulfilled the dream of Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora to secularize and place in the hands of the Filipino clergy the administration of the parishes in the country. It also ended monastic dominance over the people, besides ending monolithic character of religion. It symbolized the flowering of religious freedom in the Philippines.

The Philippine Independent Church is a significant chapter in the history of the Filipino people’s struggle for freedom, demonstrating the capacity of Filipinos to run their own religious affairs. It ended the practice of religious and racial discrimination in the Philippines. It was an expression of Filipino nationalism at its fullest.

We congratulate the Philippine Independent Church headed by Bishop Godofredo J. David, other officials, and their flock on their observance of the 104th Anniversary.