(ENS) Born out of the struggle of the Filipino people to break free from centuries of colonial oppression and foreign domination, a new and independent church was proclaimed on August 3, 1902 by the Union Obrera Democratica, the first labor union in the Philippines. Within a year the Iglesia Filipina Independeniente (Philippine Independent Church) had attracted 1.2 million members, about a quarter of the population.

After years of mixed fortunes, the church received the gift of apostolic succession as signified by the historic episcopate on April 7, 1948 when three bishops of the Episcopal Church in the USA consecrated three new IFI bishops at St. Luke's Pro-Cathedral in Manila. In 1960 the two churches entered into a concordat of full communion--a relationship that has continued and been enriched over the years.

To celebrate that relationship, Bishop Christopher Epting, the presiding bishop's deputy for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, joined the August 2-3 centennial celebration and signed The Manila Covenant, a document that, among other things, expresses concern about the disruptive consequences of economic globalization, the danger of foreign intervention in the Philippines because of the international war on terrorism, and the call for restitution from damages caused by centuries of colonialism. He was joined by the Ven. Peter Golden, archdeacon of the Diocese of Long Island, in representing the ECUSA.

Epting brought greetings from Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold during the Centennial Mass. "Our two churches have been friends for many years," he told the congregation of several thousand. "As we were blessed to share with you the gift of apostolic succession in the historic episcopate, so you have shared with us the inseparable nature of the gospel from the struggle for justice and peace in this world. And just as you have been faithful in preserving the apostolic ministry," he added, "so I ask you to pray for us that we may always faithfully proclaim the gospel in such a way that it truly is good news to the poor."

In addition to Obispo Maximo Thomas Millamena of the IFI, the covenant was signed by Archbishop Peter Carnley, primate of the Anglican Church in Australia; Archbishop Joris Vercammen of the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht; and representatives of other churches in full communion with the IFI, including the Church of Sweden, the Old Catholic Church of Switzerland, the Church of North India, and other ecumenical partners and friends. The covenant summarizes the commitment of participants to stand in solidarity with this thriving church of six million Filipinos, many of them representing peasants and the working class.

Before the centennial celebration, Epting attended an International Church Leaders' Solidarity Summit where participants learned more about the Philippine Independent Church's history, theology and social teaching. "I was very moved by the courage and vitality of this young church," he said on his return, "and I look forward to our finding ways to deepen our relationship in the coming years."