Philippine Independent Church Ordains First Woman
Episcopal News Service. May 9, 1997 [97-1757E]
(ACNS) The Philippines Independent Church ordained its first woman priest in February 9, 1997. Rosalina Villaruel Rabaria was ordained priest at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Providence and Guide in Albasan, Numancia, Aklan. The ordination was performed by Bishop Abdais de la Cruz, the former supreme bishop of the church who had himself once opposed the ordination of women to the priesthood. The Philippine Independent Church is in full communion with all the churches of the Anglican Communion.