Anglican Communion News Service

The Episcopal Church in the Philippines is shortly to establish its sixth diocese when the Episcopal Diocese of Northeastern Luzon is created.

The new diocese covers the areas of Aurora, Ifugao, Eastern Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Quirino. These areas are currently in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines, which will continue to exercise jurisdiction over Central and Western Mountain Province, Southern Abra, Southern Kalinga and Eastern Ilocos Sur.

The 29th Diocesan Convention of the undivided Diocese of Northern Philippines, held in May 2000, established of the Diocese of Northeastern Luzon formally, and set up working committees to oversee the operation and organisation of the new diocese. The creation of the diocese was officially approved at the 28th Convention in 1998. This year's convention marked the final gathering of the undivided diocese.

The current Bishop of Northern Philippines, the Rt Revd Edward Malecdan, will decide later this year whether he will take up the jurisdiction of the new diocese, or continue in his present position. The process of electing a new bishop to fill the vacancy is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Anglican Board of Mission in Australia has made a grant of over one million pesos to the new Diocese of Northeastern Luzon for its co-operative enhancement programme. The two-year project hopes to establish seven new community co-operatives and strengthen six that are operating already. The money will be used to provide revolving capital assistance funds, and is expected to help 500 families who run small-scale farms in the Cagayan Valley. Many of these farmers have fallen victim to unscrupulous loan sharks charging excessive interest rates.