TO
ALL THE BISHOPS, NATIONAL CHURCH OFFICERS AND SECTORAL LAY AND ORDAINED LEADERS, AND DIOCESAN COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUTIVE DIOCESES OF THE WHOLE IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE
ON
2023 GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FROM
THE OBISPO MAXIMO
As follow-up to the 2023 GA Briefer, we hereby issue this Convocatory Letter to officially summon and convene the 2023 General Assembly of the Church on May 7-10, 2023 at the National Cathedral for the Opening Session and at Mella Hotel in Las Pinas City for the Continuing Sessions. The 2023 General Assembly is expected to revolve around the Theme: “Witnessing faithfully to God’s love in Christ in every place and time in the power of the Holy Spirit” [Acts 1:8] and is comprised of all consecrated bishops and five delegates from each diocese: two priests and three lay representing the men, women and youth. We shall use the list of official delegates of the cancelled 2020 General Assembly as reference for the official delegates of the 2023 General Assembly, subject to the election of surrogates by the appropriate Diocesan Conventions held not earlier than February 7, 2023 in cases where the said official delegates of the 2020 General Assembly are no longer available. Since we are still in continuing pandemic season, only official delegates are expected to attend; no alternates, observers, and guests are allowed. All bishops and official delegates are fully vaccinated and ready to present their vaccination cards. For this 2023 General Assembly, the Overseas Chaplaincies are likewise entitled for their own delegation or representation, with no voting power however but paying their corresponding registration fees.
The 2023 General Assembly is expected to act upon all matters appertaining to the whole life, faith and witness of the IFI including the [1] Minutes of the 2017 General Assembly, [2] Past Actions of the Executive Commission, [3] Report of the Obispo Maximo, [4] Report of the General Treasurer, [5] Approval of Budget and Program, [6] Elections of new Obispo Maximo, General Secretary, General Treasurer and Auditor General, [7] Elections of new set of membership of the Executive Commission and Commission of Budget and Finance; and [8] Reports of the Councils [SCB, COP and NLC].
We ask all bishops to take judicious preparation in their respective dioceses for this upcoming 2023 General Assembly. The Pre-Registration Form and other GA Information/Materials are to be circulated soon. The Office of the General Treasurer is expected to also circulate the Diocesan Registration Fees as embodied in the 2023 GA Budget. We urge everyone in the Church to pray for the success of the 2023 General Assembly and for the well-being of all those who are involved in its whole preparation and eventual conduct.
29 January 2023
(SGD) OBISPO MAXIMO