After almost a century of living in close proximity and sharing a common catholic heritage, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church) and the autonomous Episcopal Church in the Philippines signed a concordat proclaiming full communion.

The Obispo Maximo of the IFI, the Most Rev. Alberto B. Ramento, and the Most Rev. Narcisco V. Ticobay, Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, signed the concordat Feb. 17 in the chapel of St. Andrew's Theological Seminary, Quezon City, Manila.

The ceremony, conducted in Tagalog, featured Asian music, and in addition to the formal Solemn Eucharist concelebrated by bishops and priests of both churches, there were several native dances, one featuring flags brandished skillfully by the dancers in loin clothes and head bands.

The offertory anthem was, in effect, a dance with brass pans instead of drums in which flags reminiscent of the English May pole were intertwined to symbolize the unity of faith between the two churches.

Greetings were read from the Archbishop of Canterbury, who commented that the concordat brought "to an end in the happiest possible way the anomalous situation of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente being in full communion with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines."

For many years, St. Andrew's Theological Seminary has trained clergy for both the IFI and ECP, and so many of the IFI bishops present for the historic signing were alumni of the seminary. This made for a happy feeling and was the reason why the seminary was chosen for the venue of the signing rather than one of the cathedrals of either church.

The relationship between what may be described as a church of indigenous revolutionary origins and a church of colonial background may be difficult to work out but the will is there, and the much larger Independent church shows no signs of either wishing to suppress or to overpower the small Anglican church. The prayers of all who witnessed (and vigorously applauded) the signing will be with the two churches as they begin their new relationship.

(The Rev.) Richard C. Nevius