General Assembly Orientation

Orientation to the 11th General Assembly
of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente

WHAT IS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

In the early days of the Christian Church, the faithful gathered together in order to discern God’s will for them as a community of faith. These early assemblies became an important part of the heritage and tradition of the Church that celebrate the gifts of communion, harmony and unity in the one Body of Christ.

Our General Assembly derives from that heritage and tradition. It represents our belief that God gave gifts to each member of the Body of Christ and that the Spirit of God guides the whole community of faith. It is through the General Assembly, which has been made up of representatives from the local churches, that the whole Iglesia Filipina Independiente is gathered together to seek the will of God.

A. The General Assembly is the Coming Together of the People of God.

We in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente have a strong tradition of authority belonging to the whole Church. That is why both the clergy and laity are both represented in the General Assembly because of the conciliar nature of authority in the Church. It is for this that we have affirmed that:

“The General Assembly operates as the synod through which the ordained and non-ordained share the responsibility of witnessing to the apostolic faith by virtue of their common baptism. It serves as the governing body of the Church in fulfilling the mission entrusted by God, in safeguarding the unity and continuity of the apostolic faith, and in guiding the faithful in the fulfillment of their baptismal covenant. It is thus the final authority in all matters affecting the life, order and discipline of the Church.” (The Harmony of Authority and Responsibility in the Church, 2004)

Thus, when we come for the 11th General Assembly, we come for worship, for fellowship, and we gather to discern how we may be faithful in living out the mission that God has entrusted to the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.

B. The General Assembly in Fulfilling our Constitutional Responsibility.

We come together in the General Assembly to uphold the Constitution of our Church.

“There shall be a General Assembly which shall be the governing body of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente... consist of all consecrated bishops, two priests in active duty and three delegates (representing the men, women and youth) elected in each diocese in a diocesan convention held primarily for the purpose.” (Section 1 and 2, Article II, 1977 Constitution)

“(The) General Assembly shall be held every three years starting on the 8th day of May in the City of Manila.” (Section 3, Article II, 1977 Constitution)

The General Assembly exists on the basis of the Constitution of the Church that professes the apostolic and catholic faith, the canon of the scriptures, the sacraments, and the holy orders in the sacred ministry. In the spirit of consultation, the General Assembly tackles complex and contentious issues and discuss matters that touch on the institutional components of the Church that have to do with programs, policy guidelines, and resources, among others. The General Assembly offers the bishops, priests, men, women and youth of our Church the opportunities for consultation and cooperation and pushes the Church to continue in her journey under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, when we meet we celebrate our shared beliefs, shared commitment and shared priorities even as we seek to fulfill our vocation as a community of faith.

C. The 2008 General Assembly in journeying the path of corporate renewal.

The Church journeys the path of corporate renewal towards a more meaningful way of pursuing her vocation which is to proclaim the ‘love of God in the world’ (Constitution and Canons). It is from the mandate of this mission that the Church draws her very inspiration, source of strength and reason for joy as she confronts that which seems to be an unending score of insurmountable challenges that from time to time try to hold her back in her journey.

Our triennial theme ‘Hold Fast To What We Have Attained’ (Phil. 3:16) gives us the encouragement to celebrate with joy our accumulated gains and to critically appraise where we have failed. They are words that should inspire us more to go on with steadfast commitment to what we have started and tell us again never to abandon the right path or to go astray along the way. It is bidding us to persevere in our corporate journey as Church towards renewal in mission.

II. WHAT IS TO HAPPEN AT THE 11th GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

A. Objectives and Expectations

The objectives of the General Assembly are well spelled out below. Certain expectations are expressed, either individually or collectively, and these are considered in designing the General Assembly’s activities and schedule. Every activity is an integral component and is contributory to the realization of the objectives of this very important gathering that is convened every three years. Every delegate, therefore, must be present in all sessions and participate in all activities. You owe it to the people who have chosen you to be a part of this highest policy making of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Being a General Assembly delegate is not only a privilege but also entails heavy responsibilities and accountabilities. You are responsible in helping our beloved Church chart her course of action in the coming years, just as you are accountable to the people who have placed their trust and confidence in your capacity to share and articulate their sentiments in this august body.

-- To receive the address of the Obispo Maximo

-- To act upon the decisions of the Executive Commission

-- To receive the report of the General Treasurer

-- To receive the reports of the Supreme Council of Bishops, Council of Priests and National Lay Council

-- To approve the Three Year Rolling Plan (TYRP 2008-2011) of the Church

-- To approve the Triennial Budget

-- To elect the Executive Commission and the national officers of other standing commissions of the Church

B. Rules and Procedures

In order to make your participation in the 11th Triennial Assembly meaningful and hassle-free, please take time to read the following rules and procedures:

1. Left luggage Section. When you arrive at the venue and you want to deposit your bag/luggage in the meantime as you follow the registration process, proceed to this section. A tag will be issued to claim your luggage back.

2. Credentials Table. This is the first step. You state your name and Local Church. Once your name is confirmed, an accreditation paper will be issued to you.

3. Proceed to the Registration Table. A form will be issued to you, fill it up and return the form to the registrar.

4. Report at the Finance Table. Settle your financial obligation. A receipt will be issued to you.

5. General Assembly Kit. Show the official receipt at the Assembly Kit Table to claim the General Assembly Bag containing the necessary documents.

6. Identification Card and Meal Tickets. An identification card will be issued to you. Attached to it are meal tickets that you use in claiming food at the Assembly site.

7. Communication Facilities. Mobile phones are allowed inside the Hall but will have to be muted and switched off the incoming alert for calls and messages.

8. Tickets and Travels. Ticket reservations and confirmation will be attended to at the reception desk inside the meeting hall.

9. Seating at the Assembly. A seating plan inside the Assembly Hall has been arranged according to the regional listing of the dioceses. The seating plan is posted at the entrance, clearly marked to guide the delegates to their respective places. This will ensure that diocesan delegates are seated together.