Ephraim Fajutagana
Ephraim Fajutagana, Obispo Maximo XII | |
|---|---|
| Twelfth Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church | |
 Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana, circa 2019 | |
| Church | |
| See | Manila |
| Appointed | 10 May 2011 |
| Installed | 11 June 2011 |
| Term ended | 25 June 2017 |
| Predecessor | Godofredo J. David |
| Successor | Rhee Timbang |
| Other post(s) |
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| Previous post(s) |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1977 (Diaconate and Priesthood) |
| Consecration | July 2002 (Episcopate) by Tomas Millamena |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 30, 1951[3][4] |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Denomination | Aglipayan (Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente) |
| Residence | Metro Manila Cavite |
| Spouse | Teresita Fajutagana (m. 1980) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education |
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| Motto | Walk humbly with your God |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Ephraim Fajutagana | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reference style | His Eminence, His Grace |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence, Your Grace |
| Religious style | Obispo Máximo XII The Most Reverend |
Ephraim Servañez Fajutagana is the twelfth Obispo Máximo or Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente or IFI) who served from 2011 to 2017. As the 12th Obispo Máximo, he attained the highest post of the church that goes back from its first and co-founder Gregorio Aglipay.[1]
Delegates to the 12th Triennial General Assembly of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente unanimously voted into office as Obispo Máximo the church's then-General Secretary, Ephraim S. Fajutagana, on 10 May 2011. Fajutagana, from the Diocese of Romblon and Mindoros, bested two aspirants from Mindanao: Bishop Rhee Timbang (Diocese of Surigao) and Bishop Felixberto Calang (then-Diocese of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Camiguin).
Fajutagana has been in ministry since 1977, having served the Iglesia Filipina Independiente for a total of some thirty four (34) years before his election to the highest office of the church. He was ordained to the priesthood the same year after graduating from Saint Andrew's Theological Seminary in 1977 where he obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree. Fajutagana served at the Diocese of Romblon and Mindoros and was consecrated to the episcopate in July 2002 wherein he served at the Diocese of Cavite as diocesan bishop until his election as General Secretary in May 2005, and then eventually as Supreme Bishop in May 2011. He was also conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa).
During his term as Supreme Bishop, he was also concurrently the chairperson of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. In 2015, Fajutagana met and had an inter-religious dialogue with Pope Francis at the University of Santo Tomas during the latter's state visit to the Philippines.[6][7]
He was succeeded by Rhee Timbang as the Supreme Bishop in June 2017 after six years of tenure. He then became the Diocesan Bishop of Iloilo from 2017 until his retirement in 2021.[8]
Fajutagana was also the former chairperson of Workers Assistance Center, Inc. (WAC), a non-government organization.
Personal life
Fajutagana was born and hailed in Odiongan, Romblon to Ángel Fajutagana y Forca (b. 3 October 1919) and Felicidad Servañez y Formon (b. 13 December 1919).[9] He is first cousin once removed to former Odiongan SB member Rolando Forca being the first cousin of his father, Ángel.
Fajutagana is a member of the Freemasonry's Grand Lodge of the Philippines.
References
- ^ a b "Obispo Maximo – IFI.ph".
- ^ "12th Obispo Maximo Installed into Office". Google Sites. IFI. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Maligayang Kaarawan, Eminencia Ephraim!" (in Filipino). Diocese of Cavite. June 30, 2023. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023 – via Facebook.
- ^ 70th Birthday greetings for The Most Rev'd Ephraim S. Fajutagana. Paper Bloom. June 30, 2021. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ "South Central Luzon Conference Celebrates 109th IFI Proclamation Anniversary". Google Sites. IFI. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "NCCP: Pope's meeting with religious leaders a 'milestone'". ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN News. January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
- ^ Geronimo, Jee Y.; Rodriguez, Fritzie (January 14, 2015). "'All religions should promote peace'". Rappler. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ^ "The Supreme Bishop". IFI.org.ph.
- ^ "Photo of Ángel Fajutagana contributed by Ivan Jude Reyes". Ancestry.com.