Supreme Bishop

Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church Obispo Máximo
Aglipayan
Joel Porlares, Obispo Máximo XIV
Philippine Independent Church (Coat of arms)
Incumbent: Joel Porlares y Ocop since June 29, 2023
Location
Country	Philippines
Residence	IFI Centennial House Metrocor-B Homes, Talon Singko, Las Piñas City 1747
Headquarters	Obispado Máximo #1500 Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Information
First holder	Gregorio L. Aglípay
Denomination	Philippine Independent Church
Established	September 6, 1902; 122 years ago (1902-09-06)
Diocese	General
Cathedral	Iglesia Filipina Independiente National Cathedral of the Holy Child
Governance	Autocephalous
Bishops emeritus	Godofredo J. David Ephraim S. Fajutagana Rhee M. Timbang
Website
www.ifi.org.ph
Obispo Máximo ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Style	His Eminence
Abbreviation	O.M.
Seat	Manila, Philippines
Term length	6 years Non-renewable for a consecutive term (since 1981)
Succession	Election

The Supreme Bishop (Spanish: Obispo Máximo), abbreviated O.M., is the leader or primate of the autocephalous nationalist Independent Catholic denomination Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church) or IFI, known informally as the "Aglipayan Church". The supreme bishop is the spiritual head, chief pastor, and the chief executive officer of the church. He is the first among equals (primus inter pares) from the church's bishops.

The supreme bishop is elected by the General Assembly of the church and heads the Executive Commission, which is the highest policy-making body in the absence of the General Assembly.

Joel Porlares was elected Obispo Máximo on May 9, 2023, by a majority vote of delegates during their 15th General Assembly and was officially proclaimed in the evening on the same day after previously serving as the General Secretary, the second highest post in the church. He is the fourteenth in a line of succession from Gregorio Aglipay, the first Obispo Máximo.^[1]

The supreme bishop's office is at the Obispado Máximo (also called the "Central Office") in the National Cathedral of the Holy Child compound, located in Taft Avenue, Manila.