Ephraim Fajutagana Explained

Type:bishop
Honorific-Prefix:The Most Reverend
Ephraim Fajutagana,
Obispo Maximo XII
Honorific-Suffix:D.D.
12th Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church
See:Manila
Term Start:10 May 2011
11 June 2011
Term End:25 June 2017
Predecessor:Godofredo J. David
Successor:Rhee Timbang
Other Post:IFI Diocesan Bishop of Iloilo (2017–2021)
Ordination:1977
Consecration:July 2002
Consecrated By:Tomas Millamena
Birth Name:Ephraim Fajutagana y Servañez[1]
Birth Date:June 30, 1951[2] [3]
Birth Place:Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines[4]
Children:5
Residence:Manila
Nationality:Filipino
Religion:Aglipayan
Education:St. Andrew's Theological Seminary
Trinity University of Asia
Previous Post:IFI General Secretary (2005-2011)
IFI Diocesan Bishop of Cavite (2002-2005)
Coat Of Arms:Coat of arms of OM XII Fajutagana.png
Motto:Walk humbly with your God
Bishop Name:Ephraim Fajutagana
Dipstyle:His Eminence, His Grace
Offstyle:Your Eminence, Your Grace
Relstyle:Obispo Máximo XII
The Most Reverend

Ephraim Fajutagana y Servañez is a former Obispo Máximo or Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente or IFI) who served from 2011 to 2017. He is the 12th Obispo Máximo, the highest post of the church, that goes back from its first and co-founder Gregorio Aglipay.[5]

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

  1. Web site: 12th Obispo Maximo Installed into Office . IFI . . May 17, 2023.
  2. Web site: Maligayang Kaarawan, Eminencia Ephraim! . June 30, 2023 . Diocese of Cavite . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630092328/https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=644499471044119&set=459072326253502 . June 30, 2023 . live . . Filipino.
  3. 70th Birthday greetings for The Most Rev'd Ephraim S. Fajutagana . June 30, 2021 . Paper Bloom . June 30, 2021 . English . https://web.archive.org/web/20230630161944/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRBTHrHY944 . June 30, 2023 . live . YouTube.
  4. Web site: South Central Luzon Conference Celebrates 109th IFI Proclamation Anniversary . IFI . . May 17, 2023.
  5. Web site: Obispo Maximo – IFI.ph.
  6. News: NCCP: Pope's meeting with religious leaders a 'milestone' . January 18, 2015 . . ABS-CBN . January 18, 2015.
  7. News: 'All religions should promote peace' . January 14, 2015 . Geronimo . Jee Y. . Rodriguez . Fritzie . . January 14, 2015.
  8. Web site: The Supreme Bishop . IFI.org.ph.
  9. Web site: Photo of Ángel Fajutagana contributed by Ivan Jude Reyes. .