BATAC, Ilocos Norte, January 9, 2009─At a recent launching of a book on Ecumenism in this city, Laoag Bishop Sergio Utleg said Catholics should reach out to ‘separated’ brethren in the faith, in the spirit of sincere dialogue.

“It is now time for us to reach out to our ‘separated’ brethren in sincere, open and constructive dialogue in the spirit of genuine ecumenism,” Utleg urged.

Commenting on the merits of the book, the bishop said the volume is a “must-read” for everyone who sincerely pursues the spirit of ecumenism.

The book “Out of the Depths, Revisiting the epicenter of Aglipayanism”, was written by Fr. Ericson Josue, parochial vicar of Immaculate Conception Parish, Batac.

In his message, Utleg reminded Catholics that the Roman Catholic Church in Batac and in IIocos Norte has definitely come “out of the depths” of pervasive schism and is once again, if not the majority, at least the more established and recognized Church in most towns.

Josue’s book is an attempt “to retrace the Aglipayan movement in Batac, the epicenter of the ‘tremors’ of the schismatic outbreak in the province”, the “recovery and coming back to life in the northern province, particularly Batac, the late Gregorio Aglipay’s hometown.

With this book, the author also thanked those who “painstakingly worked to preserve and sustain the Church in Northern Ilocos” especially the 20th century pastors.

The launching held on the 14th of December 2008 at the KALIPI Training Center in Batac City was attended by the Catholic Clergy and faithful of the Diocese.

It also marked the first centenary of the re-edification of Roman Catholicism in Ilocos Norte and Batac, in particular.

Present during the launching were Bishop Rosario Acoba of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente of the 2nd District, Fr. Romeo Magsingit, Founder and Chief Minister of the Phil. Aglipayan Reformist Church, Inc. and other Aglipayan brothers who responded to the invitation and gesture of ecumenism of the local Roman Catholic Church.

Josue, who has written his first book in 2007 on the life and legacy of Bishop Alfredo Verzosa, the 4th Filipino Roman Catholic Bishop and son of Vigan, is a non-resident instructor of Church History at the Immaculate Conception School of Theology in Vigan City. (Fran C. Quitoriano)