Supreme Bishop


The Supreme Bishop, abbreviated O.M., is the leader or primate of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, known informally as Aglipayans. The Supreme Bishop is elected by the General Assembly of the Church and heads the Executive Commission, which is the highest policy-making body in the absence of the General Assembly. Rhee Millena Timbang was elected Obispo Máximo on 9 May 2017 by unanimous vote of delegates to the 13th Triennial General Assembly of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente after serving as bishop of the Diocese of Surigao. The Supreme Bishop's office is at the National Cathedral of the Holy Child, Taft Avenue, Manila. He is the thirteenth in a line of succession from Gregorio Aglipay, the first Obispo Máximo.

List of Supreme Bishops

Supreme BishopPeriodNotes
Gregorio Aglípay y Labáyan D.D.
3 August 1902 - 1 September 1940
Longest reigning Obispo Máximo, Founder of IFI and candidate for the 1935 elections
Santiago Antonio Fonacier y Suguítan
-
Gerardo Bayaca y Medina
-
Isabelo de los Reyes, Jr. y López Ph.D., D.D.
-
Macario Ga y Vilches D.D.
-
Abdias dela Cruz y Rebantád D.D.
-
Solimán Ganno y Florés
from Bangui, Ilocos Norte
Tito Pasco y Esquillo
-
Alberto Ramento y Baldovino D.D.
10 May 1997 - 10 May 2001
-
Tomás Millamena y Amabran D.D.
10 May 2001 - 10 May 2007
-
Godofredo David y Juico D.D.
10 May 2007 - 10 May 2011
-
Ephraim Fajutagana y Servanez D.D
10 May 2011 - 10 May 2017
From Odiongan, Romblon
Rhee Timbang
10 May 2017 - present
-

Election and term of office

The Supreme Bishop is the primate, spiritual head and chief executive of the Philippine Independent Church. A Supreme Bishop is elected every six years, and cannot be re-elected. He is responsible for the ecclesiastical government of the Church and is the spiritual head of almost 6 million Aglipayans throughout the Philippines and some dioceses in the United States and Canada.