Rhee Timbang
Rhee Millena Timbang is the current and 13th Obispo Máximo or Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente). He was elevated from Bishop of Surigao to Obispo Máximo on June 25, 2017 and succeeded Ephraim Fajutagana after getting elected on May 9, 2017. He is the first supreme bishop from Mindanao. He was also previously the Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Bishops.[1][2]
Rhee Timbang, Obispo Maximo XIII | |
|---|---|
| 13th Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church | |
 Rhee Timbang, Obispo Maximo XIII, c. 2019. | |
| Installed | 10 May 2017 (proclaimed) 25 June 2017 (consecrated) |
| Predecessor | Ephraim Fajutagana |
| Successor | Joel O. Porlares (Obispo Maximo-elect) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination |
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| Consecration | 29 September 1996 (Episcopate) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rhee Millena Timbang June 8, 1961 Surigao del Norte, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Denomination | Aglipayan (Philippine Independent Church/Iglesia Filipina Independiente) |
| Residence | Manila |
| Spouse | Mayette Timbang |
| Children | 2 |
| Previous post(s) | Bishop of Surigao (IFI) Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Bishops (IFI) |
| Education | St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary (BTh and MDiv) Trinity University of Asia University of the Philippines Diliman Birmingham City University |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Rhee Timbang | |
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| Reference style | His Eminence, His Grace |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence, Your Grace |
| Religious style | Obispo Máximo XIII The Most Reverend |
In his role as Obispo Máximo, Timbang has been highly critical of then-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao and has condemned those who would link him and his church with the ongoing communist rebellion in the Philippines.[3][4]
In 2021, during the Philippine Independent Church's 119th Proclamation Anniversary and as part of celebrating 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, Timbang led the signatories from the representatives of the Philippine Independent Church (IFI) in the signing of two joint statements with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), represented by the officials of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, expressing both churches' readiness for a more ecumenical cooperation amidst diversity. The liturgical launching of the two documents was held at the IFI National Cathedral. The first statement was titled "Celebrating the Gift of Faith, Learning from the Past, and Journeying Together" and the second one as "Mutual Recognition of Baptisms between the IFI and the RCC in the Philippines." In one of the statements, both IFI and Roman Catholic leaders "ask and pray for mutual forgiveness for any injuries inflicted in the past" and "strive for the healing and purification of memories among its members".[5][6]
References
- "Iglesia Filipina Independiente enthrones 13th Archbishop". National Council of Churches in the Philippines. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- "News from the Philippine Independent Church". Union of Utrecht (Old Catholic). Retrieved November 28, 2022.
- Genotiva, Mara S. (2019-02-24). "Red-tagged IFI bishop: We fear for our lives and liberty". Davao Today. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
- Timbang, Rhee (2019-03-03). "Red-tagging of Iglesia Filipina Independiente and partners". Panay News. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
- "Celebrating the gift of faith, learning from the past, and journeying together". Latest Catholic News in Asia. LICAS News. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- "Catholic, IFI churches move towards reconciliation". Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. CBCP News. August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.