Ephraim Fajutagana, Obispo Maximo XII | |
|---|---|
| Twelfth Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church | |
 Bishop Ephraim Fajutagana, circa 2019 | |
| Church | |
| See | Manila |
| Appointed | 10 May 2011 |
| Installed | 11 June 2011 |
| Term ended | 25 June 2017 |
| Predecessor | Godofredo J. David |
| Successor | Rhee Timbang |
| Other posts |
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| Previous posts |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1977(Diaconate and Priesthood) |
| Consecration | July 2002(Episcopate) by Tomas Millamena |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ephraim Servañez Fajutagana[1][2] (1951-06-30)June 30, 1951 (age 74)[3][4] |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Denomination | Aglipayan (Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente) |
| Residence | Metro Manila Cavite |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 |
| Education |
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| Motto | Walk humbly with your God |
| Coat of arms |  |
Styles | |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Religious style | Obispo Máximo XII The Most Reverend |
Ephraim Servañez Fajutagana is the twelfth Obispo Máximo orSupreme Bishop of thePhilippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente or IFI) who served from 2011 to 2017. As the 12th Obispo Máximo, he attained the highest post of the church that goes back from its first and co-founderGregorio Aglipay.[1]
Delegates to the 12th Triennial General Assembly of theIglesia Filipina Independiente unanimously voted into office as Obispo Máximo the church's then-General Secretary, Ephraim S. Fajutagana, on 10 May 2011. Fajutagana, from the Diocese of Romblon and Mindoros, bested two aspirants fromMindanao: Bishop Rhee Timbang (Diocese of Surigao) and Bishop Felixberto Calang (then-Diocese of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Camiguin).
Fajutagana has been in ministry since 1977, having served theIglesia Filipina Independiente for a total of some thirty four (34) years before his election to the highest office of the church. He was ordained to the priesthood the same year after graduating from Saint Andrew's Theological Seminary in 1977 where he obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree. Fajutagana served at the Diocese of Romblon and Mindoros and was consecrated to the episcopate in July 2002 wherein he served at the Diocese of Cavite asdiocesan bishop until his election as General Secretary in May 2005, and then eventually as Supreme Bishop in May 2011. He was also conferred with an honorary degree ofDoctor of Divinity (honoris causa).
During his term as Supreme Bishop, he was also concurrently the chairperson of theNational Council of Churches in the Philippines. In 2015, Fajutagana met and had aninter-religious dialogue withPope Francis at theUniversity of Santo Tomas during the latter'sstate visit to the Philippines.[6][7]
He was succeeded byRhee Timbang as the Supreme Bishop in June 2017 after six years of tenure. He then became the Diocesan Bishop ofIloilo from 2017 until his retirement in 2021.[8]
Fajutagana was also the former chairperson of Workers Assistance Center, Inc. (WAC), anon-government organization.
Fajutagana was born and hailed inOdiongan, Romblon to Ángel Fajutagana y Forca (b. 3 October 1919) and Felicidad Servañez y Formon (b. 13 December 1919).[9] He is first cousin once removed to former OdionganSB member Rolando Forca being the first cousin of his father, Ángel.
Fajutagana is a member of theFreemasonry'sGrand Lodge of the Philippines.
| Aglipayan Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Godofredo J. David | Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church 11 June 2011 – 25 June 2017 | Succeeded by |