CATHOLICITY AND THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES

By Rev. Dr. Winfred B. Vergara

This essay discusses the word ‘catholicity’ and the unique role of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines(ECP) as part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Discussion of catholicity is important as we reflect on the current stirrings in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. A narrative history of the ECP is an exciting motif in the missionary journey towards ecclesial autonomy.

The author writes, “Historically, catholicity emerged out of the context of disharmony and conflict in the community of faith, and not from global Christian unity. The term ‘catholicity’ which comes from the Greek word, kath’holou and implies ‘universality and wholeness’ was shaped by the irritations and disagreements that characterized the developmental process of institutional Christendom…So maybe it is a repeat of history that we revisit catholicity in such a critical time like this when the worldwide Anglican Communion…is threatened by fracture due to contemporary theological, doctrinal and ecclesiological irritation and disharmony.”

On the local church, the author writes: “What is unique in the missionary development of this the Episcopal Church in the Philippines is that it began from the margins of Philippine society and moved into the mainstream of universal, catholic life and now participates in the common task of Christian inclusivity.”

For more of the essay, read: Catholicity and The Episcopal Church in the Philippines.