Father Ruel Langi

PASCHAL TRIDUUM: Maundy Thursday 2026
Sinonoc Parish Church | April 2, 2026

"Usa ka bag-ong sugo ang ihatag ko kaninyo, paghigugmaay kamo!"

Ozamiz North Deaneries Skills Training in Presiding Meeting
March 28, 2026
Salimpono Satellite Church - Panon Parish

Speaker: Ms. Thea Ginn Carwana

THE IFI REJECTS PURGATORY?🤔

Even before its formal establishment in 1902, the movement that would become the Iglesia Filipina Independiente was already shaped by a strong reformist spirit. Many Filipino clergy and laity were reacting not just to political injustice, but also to certain theological practices and teachings they found problematic.

Key beliefs and practices we rejected
1. Purgatory (as commonly taught at the time)
There was resistance to the idea of a structured “place” or “system” of purification, especially when it was closely tied in people’s experience to masses and offerings for the dead. The concern was that it could be misunderstood as something that could be influenced or shortened through payment.
2. Simony (selling of spiritual grace)
Practices associated with simony receiving money in exchange for spiritual benefits were strongly opposed. This echoes earlier reforms in church history, especially those raised during the Protestant Reformation.
For Filipino reformers, this wasn’t just theological, it was pastoral and ethical: grace must never be treated as something for sale.
3. Abuse of indulgences and excessive fees
While indulgences have a more nuanced official theology, in practice many ordinary people experienced them as financial burdens tied to forgiveness or release from punishment. This contributed to the rejection of related doctrines like purgatory.

To answer the question of one of my followers. The IFI stood firm in upholding its faith. To avoid contractions from other beliefs, we don't interfere with the vigil service to other denominations and the same to our members. No matter the lineage from the Catholic traditions. We remain Catholic in faith that rejects some irrelevant theological understanding and practices that abuse the people.

Now you know! 😉✨🙏

Ang inyong nabasa nga tulumanon, iya lamang sa tig-pamababa ug walay labot ang magsisibya!😁

THE NO. 10 & 11 of DIOCESAN PROTOCOLS
FOR WAKES, VIGILS, FUNERAL MASS AND BURIALS EXPLAINED!

1. Respect for the Faith of the Departed

At the heart of the wake (vigil) is the belief that death is not just a social event but a sacred moment shaped by one’s faith.

When a person has lived and died within a particular Church or tradition, the prayers offered during the wake should reflect:

Their beliefs about God, death, and the afterlife

Their spiritual practices and devotions

The community they belonged to

Allowing other religious groups to conduct their own services (novena, rosary, or otherwise) may unintentionally:

Contradict the theological beliefs of the departed’s Church

Create confusion about the person’s religious identity

Shift the focus away from the Church’s understanding of death and resurrection

👉 In short: The wake is not a venue for multiple religious expressions, but a continuation of the departed’s own faith journey.

2. Unity and Order in Worship

A vigil service is not just a collection of prayers—it is a structured liturgical act.

If multiple groups lead different styles of prayer:

The wake can become fragmented and inconsistent

There may be conflicting messages about salvation, intercession, or the nature of death

The solemnity of the vigil may be reduced to a general religious gathering rather than a sacred rite

👉 The Church ensures that the vigil remains coherent, reverent, and faithful to its teachings.

3. Pastoral Sensitivity to the Family

During grief, families are vulnerable. Without clear guidelines:

Different groups may insist on offering prayers

Families may feel pressured or divided

The wake can become a source of tension instead of consolation

👉 This rule actually protects the family, giving them clarity and peace in a difficult time.

4. Why the Same Vigil Is Not Given to Non-Members

The vigil service is not just a “general prayer for the dead”—it is a rite of the Church, meant for those who:

Lived in communion with that Church

Shared its faith and sacramental life

Offering the same rite to non-members can:

Blur the meaning of belonging and commitment

Disregard the faith tradition of the deceased, especially if they belonged to another religion

Reduce the vigil to a generic service, detached from its theological roots

5. Not Discrimination, but Faithfulness

This guideline is often misunderstood as being “exclusive,” but its intention is:

To honor the truth of each faith tradition

To avoid mixing beliefs in a way that diminishes all

To remain faithful to what the Church teaches and celebrates

👉 True respect means allowing each person to be prayed for according to their own faith, not ours or someone else’s.

Simple Summary

The wake is a sacred continuation of the departed’s faith, not a shared interfaith program.

The Church maintains order, unity, and meaning in its vigil service.

The rule protects both the family’s peace and the integrity of belief.

Limiting the vigil to members preserves the authenticity of the rite, not exclusion.

Now you know! ✨🤍🙏

Fifth Sunday in Lent 💜🙏✨
Taganas Satellite Church - Macabayao Parish