Old Catholic Churches and Iglesia Filipina Independiente Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Shared Mission Concordat

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente and Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht commemorated the 60th anniversary of their Concordat of Full Communion with an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the Aglipay Central Theological Seminary in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines. The event marked six decades of shared mission, ministry, and service, reaffirming the enduring partnership established in 1965 through the signing of the Concordat by Archbishop Andreas Rinkel and Obispo Máximo Isabelo delos Reyes Jr.

The agreement, which recognized mutual ministries and sacraments, laid the foundation for collaborative pastoral efforts, theological dialogue, and social action. Clergy, ecumenical partners, seminarians, and lay faithful gathered to reflect on the significance of this historic accord and its impact on the communities they serve.

Archbishop Bernd Wallet, president of the International Bishops’ Conference of the Union of Utrecht, preached at the service, emphasizing the spiritual and ecclesial importance of the relationship. “We celebrate six decades of shared faith… an extraordinary gift for which we give thanks to God, the source of all communion,” he said. “The Concordat is not a covenant of texts but a covenant of hearts—a commitment to walk together in faith, hope, and love.”

Wallet also linked the celebration to the global Christian community, noting the ongoing commemorations of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. He described the gathering as a “unique occasion” reminding Christians of their responsibility to bear witness to “radical love” amid the suffering of today’s world. He concluded with a call to deepened unity: “As we break the bread around this table today, let our unity shine as a beacon in a world too often divided. By God’s grace, may we become ever more the church we are called to be—one in heart, bold in witness, and radiant with the Spirit.”

Rt. Rev. Maria Kubin, bishop of the Old Catholic Church of Austria, echoed this vision of unity. “When we celebrate together as people of two different worlds, this is an important sign,” she said. “Knowing that we come together before God, we are like siblings—united by the same Spirit and the same vocation. In a world divided by hatred, envy, and greed, our celebration becomes a sign of love and unity.”

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