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A Philippine Independent Church, officially a Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) within Filipino, is a Christian denomination belonging to the Roman Catholic tradition in the form of a national church. These are better referred to as a Aglipayan Church fallowing its founder, Gregorio Aglipay.

Rise of Nationalism
At a prevent of the 19th century, Filipino nationalism emerged, preceding the struggles of more colonised countries around Asia such as British India and French Indochina, and a fight for independence gave way to revolution. Latin U.s. countries at this were too breaking out of Spain. By owning a execution of large Filipino clergy like Fr. Jose Burgos at the mitts of the Spanish authorities, church reforms became the facet of the Philippine independence movement.

Colonial Church
Although several Spanish mendicant protested abuses per Spanish government & armed forces it themselves own committed several abuses. Numbers of Filipinos were enraged while Mendicant blocked a ascent of extremely trained Filipino clergy in the Catholic Church hierarchy. Immense lands were claimed when mendicant estates from either landless farmers. There were as well sex offense. Anak ni Padre Damaso (Infant of Father Damaso) has become the cliché or even stereotype to refer to an by-blow, especially that of the priest. A martyrdom of Fr. Jose Burgos, Fr. Zamora, & Fr. Gomez is said to develop indirectly ignited the Philippine revolutiin & experienced a profound symptom on Dr. Jose Rizal.

Gregorio Aglipay
Gregorio Aglipay was an activistic priest from either Ilocos Norte that, despite his intercession and defense of the Spanish clergy from either subverter, was excommunicated per Vatican for inciting rebellion within a Filipino clergy. When you took a brief interlude between independence from either a Spanish & a subsequent reoccupation per Americans, Isabelo de los Reyes and Aglipay reformed a Filipino Catholic clergy into the Philippine Independent Church, officially established within 1902. A fresh church rejected a spiritual authority of the pope and abolished the celibacy requirement from its clergy, permitting marriage among its priests.

Factionalism and Current state
Winning heavy many disciple inside its early years because of its nationalistic roots, Aglipayan cost decreased due to factionalism & doctrinal disagreements. A select few factions formally joined more denominations including a Episcopal Church and the Our contries Unitarians.

In todays world, a Philippine Independent Church come affiliated sustaining a Old Catholics and a Anglican Communion. Aglipayans total around a single to 3 million, mostly in the Ilocos Region.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Unofficial home page of the Philippine Independent Church, popularly known as the Aglipayan Church. Introduction, declaration of faith, FAQ.

Philippine Independent Church
Brief entry in the Columbia Encyclopedia.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Official web site of the Philippine Independent Church. Contact information, calendar, history, declaration of faith, constitution, directory of dioceses and parishes.






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