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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Manila Standard: 2 Manalos appeal for Red Cross help

Sana matapos na ang paghihirap ng pamilya ng Ka Eraño G. Manalo.

EDUARDO V. MANALO - INC™ EXECUTIVE MINISTER (Photo source: Philippine Pride)

November 24, 2016 at 10:00 pm by
Manila Standard

TWO scions of Iglesia Ni Cristo founder Felix Manalo appealed to Red Cross chairman Senator Richard Gordon for humanitarian assistance to ease their living conditions at a disputed property in Quezon City.

Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo and his sister Lottie Manalo, estranged siblings of incumbent Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, wrote Gordon seeking assistance in alleviating their current living conditions at the disputed number 36 Tandang Sora residence.

The two Manalos claimed inhuman conditions are being imposed on them and their household staff, such as the limitation of food and water supplies, the cutting of electricity and water supplies and the setting up of high walls of corrugated sheets around their respective homes and around their compound.

They said their freedom of movement and right to meet with their counsel lawyer Rene Saguisag have been impeded by the security that were positioned around the compound.

The Commission on Human Rights, headed by Chairman Chito Gascon, has been powerless against the lawyers of the Iglesia Ni Cristo despite repeated calls for their assistance in the matter.

Homes of former Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo and other relatives living in the compound have been demolished by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, leading to speculations that the property in dispute is set to be sold by the Church.

Supporters of Angel and Lottie have been trying to provide food, water and medicines for the incarcerated Manalo and household staff but have been prevented by strict security policies enforced by the Iglesia.

They also cited that only a 71-year-old man, the father-in-law of Angel Manalo, is allowed to supply both homes the limited supplies allowed in by the security people within and around the Tandang Sora compound.

Currently, the property is being claimed by both Lottie Manalo Hemedez and the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

In their letter to Gordon, they sought the urgent and immediate assistance of the Red Cross based on humanitarian grounds to alleviate the conditions within the compound where electricity and water utilities have been absent for nearly four months.

This despite an order from a Quezon City Judge to transfer the possession of the meters for the immediate reconnection of the basic services.

In a recent radio interview with Senator Gordon, regarding the plight of the Manalo siblings, he said “that he will seek into the matter and will try to help them.”

Friday, November 25, 2016

Poland at Buhay na Buhay na Pananampalatayang Katolisismo

Polish bishops end Year of Mercy by enthroning Christ as King in presence of president

KRAKOW- ŁAGIEWNIKI, Poland, November 23, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — On November 19, at the end of the Jubilee of Mercy, Poland celebrated a historical Act of Acceptance of Christ as King and Lord with a Mass at the Shrine of Divine Mercy, with the Polish bishops, government authorities, and many faithful in attendance. President Andrzej Duda from the Law and Justice Party took part in the event, thus attracting international media attention.

More than 100,000 Poles in Krakow recited the solemn pledge: “O Immortal King of Ages, Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Savior! In the Jubilee Year of the 1,050th anniversary of Poland’s baptism, in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, we Poles stand here before you to acknowledge your reign, to submit ourselves to your law, to entrust and consecrate to you our Fatherland and our whole people.”

The ceremony was organized by the Polish Bishops’ Conference, inspired by Pope Francis’ papal bull Misericordiae Vultus. In relation to the closing of the Holy Door of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, the Holy Father wrote, “We will entrust the life of the Church, all humanity, and the entire cosmos to the Lordship of Christ, asking him to pour out his mercy upon us like the morning dew, so that everyone may work together to build a brighter future.”

During the Mass, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow and the president of the Conference of the Polish Episcopate, said, “We invite Jesus into our hearts, families, communities, and surroundings … and to all which constitutes Poland.” The Cardinal added that all persons should not be afraid to proclaim such things.
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The idea for this proclamation came from the Commission for the Movements of Christ’s Enthronement. In an October pastoral letter, the Polish Bishops explained, “There is no need to enthrone Christ in the sense of placing him on the throne and giving him the power or proclaiming him king.” However, “there is an urgent need to enthrone Christ in the hearts of the faithful, by reviving living faith and the life of faith.” Therefore, the Act contains a profession of faith and renunciation of evil.

Bishop Andrzej Czaja, president of the Groups for Enthronement, said that the primary purpose of the Act is “faithful recognition of Jesus, surrendering and entrusting our personal, family, and national lives to Him in all dimensions, and living according to God’s law.” He added, “As such, it should therefore also be an act of justice, in the sense of devoting what is due to God, and at the same time an act of obedience to God in response to His Love.”

Most of the people were not able to enter the Shrine of Divine Mercy and stood outside in the rain. Among them were members of the Right to Life Foundation, who were holding pro-life posters. Many participants interviewed by Polonia Christiana TV mentioned that they wanted Poland to ban abortion, which the ruling party Law and Justice is unwilling to do.

It appears that the Church authorities hinted at that. During the homily, Bishop Czaja said, “There is a need for clear respect for God’s law, so that man’s law does not supercede it.” He clarified that this respect would assure that “what’s morally good and ethical would not be neglected.” Bishop Czaja also talked about giving the first place to Christ in all aspects of life, including professional.
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However, Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin commented that the enthronement had no political meaning and that politicians present accepted Christ as King and Lord only as private citizens.

The Saturday celebration in the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Krakow preceded the feast of the Solemnity of Christ the King in the Catholic liturgical year. Last Sunday, the Act of Acceptance of Christ as King and Lord was recited in all Catholic churches in Poland.

A short video from the celebration can be viewed here:

The full text of the Jubilee Act of Acceptance of Jesus Christ as King and Lord as translated by the Bishops’ Conference:

O Immortal King of Ages, Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Savior! In the Jubilee Year of the 1050th anniversary of Poland’s Baptism, in the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, we Poles stand here before you [together with our authorities, clergy and laity] to acknowledge your reign, to submit ourselves to your law, to entrust and consecrate to you our Fatherland and our whole people.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Arestado ang mga Sumusuway sa Pamamahala ni Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) ng 'Iglesia Ni Cristo'® (INC™)

SUSPECTED ANTI-IGLESIA BLOGGER ARRESTED

Rovic Canono is arrested over a case allegedly instigated by the INC. Canono is suspected to be behind the critical blogs against the powerful church, an allegation he denies.

By Katerina Francisco @kaifrancisco
Rappler.com / 11/30/2016

DETAINED. INC member Rovic Canono is detained in Camp Karingal over a case filed by his ex-wife. Sourced photo
MANILA, Philippines – An expelled member of the influential homegrown church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has been arrested over a case filed by his wife, allegedly under the instigation of the church leadership.

Rovic Canono was arrested and detained in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, on Friday, November 11, for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the anti-violence against women and children act.

Canono is accused of violating Sections 5(h) and (i) of RA 9262, which refer to causing emotional or psychological distress to the woman or her child, and causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule, or humiliation.

Canono is reportedly suspected of being behind social media accounts critical of the church leadership.

Over the past year, the Facebook account "Sher Lock" and the blog "Silent No More" have been running stories alleging corruption within the church's ranks. The blog and Facebook page have also posted stories on the alleged abductions of church ministers and harassment of the estranged siblings of INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, in an ongoing issue that has rocked the church since July last year. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

The bench warrant of arrest against Canono was issued by Judge Jacqueline Martin-Balictar of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 9.

The charge against Canono was filed by his wife, with whom he has been separated for several years. Rappler learned that Canono was taken from his condominium in Eastwood, Quezon City by armed operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit wearing civilian clothing.

Instead of being brought to the nearby police station inside Eastwood, however, Canono was taken to Camp Karingal in Sikatuna Village, about 5 kilometers away from the Central Temple of Iglesia.

According to a joint affidavit of arrest filed by the arresting police officers, Canono allegedly violently resisted arrest and had tried to call for help from his friends instead of contacting a lawyer. SPO1 Luisito Ubias and PO1 Mario Morales allegedly sustained injuries from the incident.

Canono is now facing an additional complaint of direct assault and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.

Wilfredo Santos from the INC's legal department has taken on the case against Canono. The INC-run news network Net25 was already in Camp Karingal when Canono arrived.

Lawyer Rene Saguisag – also the counsel for the estranged Manalo siblings – is handling Canono's case.

Rappler contacted Bro. Edwil Zabala, spokesman for the INC, for comment, but there has been no reply as of Sunday afternoon. This story will be updated once a statement or comment from the INC is released.

Similar to Menorca?

According to the "Silent No More" blog, the circumstances of Canono's arrest were similar to those of expelled member Lowell Menorca II. In July 2015, Menorca was illegally detained for nearly 3 months under alleged orders of the church's leaders, and was previously arrested in Dasmariñas, Cavite, for alleged illegal possession of an explosive. The charge is a non-bailable offense.

Menorca at the time pointed to the INC's Sanggunian or Council as the perpetrators behind his arrest and illegal detention. Later an adultery case was filed against him.

In March 2016, Menorca left the country with his family, citing an alleged death threat and continued harassment from his critics.

In a message to Rappler, Menorca said that Canono's arrest was "all too familiar" to him, and that the operation had "all the fingerprints of the well-coordinated and influenced efforts of a very powerful institution."

"I know that the pattern will emerge soon enough to reveal the powerful hand behind these series of seemless events and circumstances that can only be possible, as orchestrated by a very influential force that has perfected this craft of inquisition against those whom they consider enemies for being critical of the church," he said.

Menorca added that since Canono's case can be resolved by posting bail, he may be charged with numerous other cases to either keep him in jail or exhaust his financial resources.

The "Silent No More" blog also posted a photo of a letter supposedly written by Canono in July 2015. According to the letter, Canono had been told that he was being "hunted down by a group of men" upon the orders of the INC leaders.

INC TO BLAME? The "Silent No More" blog posts a letter supposedly written by Rovic Canono in July 2015. Photo from Silent No More blog

The letter contained a list of names "[to] be held accountable if harm/death" happens to him or his family.

The list included the INC executive minister, his wife, Babylyn; INC auditor Glicerio Santos Jr, and other church officials. – Rappler.com

Note: We initially referred to Rovic Canono as a member of the INC. We have since updated the story to reflect his status as an expelled member.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Ayon sa Gregorian Calendar, si Eduardo V. Manalo ng INC™ ay 61 Taong Gulang na Ngayon!

Samantalang ang PANGINGOONG HESUKRISTO ay PINAGKAITAN ng PAGDIRIWANG NG KANYANG KAARAWAN (December 25) dahil lamang sa wala pang Gregorian Calendar noong Siya ay isinilang?! #Ipokrito

Iglesia marks 61st birthday of Eduardo Manalo
Philippine Daily Inquirer / November 13, 2016

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) will mark the 61st birthday of executive minister Eduardo V. Manalo today with the launch of its 2017 theme, “I am proud to be a member of the INC,” rallying its millions of members around a call that seeks to highlight the progress that the Church and its faithful have made since the Church’s humble beginnings in Sta. Ana, Manila. INC general auditor Glicerio B. Santos Jr. in a statement said the new theme is in line with the Church’s expansion programs, and seeks to inspire its members to reach out and share their faith with nonmembers.

“The INC has witnessed unprecedented growth under Ka Eduardo—1,642 chapels, and 74 of these are located outside the country. We now have a presence in every continent in the world,” he said. The INC has congregations worldwide. It also has congregations in 130 countries and territories in six continents. Established in 1914 by its first executive minister, Felix Y. Manalo, the INC has become one of the biggest and fastest-growing churches in the country and the world.

Mula sa Website

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Video mula kay Alias Kelly Ong

Sapat ang video na ito upang magsalarawan kung gaano na kasama ang pangangasiwa ni ka Eduardo at ang naging bunga nito sa pag-uugali at moral ng mga kapatid sa Iglesia.

Maging ang mga taong hindi Kristyano at hindi naniniwala sa Diyos na nasa katinuan ng pag-iisip ay nalalaman kung ano ang tama at mali.

Ang lahat ng ito ay nag ugat nang patuloy na magpailalim si ka Eduardo sa kaniyang asawa na si babylyn ventura na hinuluaan ng kapatid na Erano G. Manalo na bababa sa kaniya ang espiritu ni Jezebel, isang babaeng mapakiapid. (Video mula kay alias "Kelly Ong")

Isang blog ng kaanib ng INC™ (Iglesia Ni Cristo®) Umangal sa Kanilang Aral na Sobrang Pinupuri ang Ka Eduardo V. Manalo higit pa kay Cristo

Mula sa INC From the Edge


The Most Important Birthday in the World

I expected this day to come. Like many of the members of the Church of Christ, we all knew that this weekend’s lesson would be about the “Most Important Man in the World” himself, EVM and his birthday. There’s not much to say really. I’m sure you have seen plenty of comments that range from annoyed to outrage.

I watched brethren squirm as the hour-long lesson was preached. Our preacher droned on endlessly repeating the “Administration” and “Executive Minister” literally every minute. It was about “how much HE wants” this and that for the Church and how much HE “sacrificed”.

I really don’t want to think about this much longer than I have to so let me just say these things and be over and done with:

  1. I don’t know about your congregation, but in the one I went, the name of Christ was mentioned only 7 times whilst EVM was pretty much in every sentence. This used to be the Church OF Christ.
  2. Let’s say for arguments sake that EVM did such wonderful things for the Church. Do they need to be told and counted? Do we now owe him our first borns?
Why do we care what HE wants? Should it not be what God wants?
Why should we not accept the things that were said in the lesson today? Should we not be impressed by all the things that EVM has done?

Ephesians 2:8-9
 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.

What should be said when one has done his duty?

Luke 17:10
That’s the way it is with you. When you’ve done everything you’re ordered to do, say, ‘We’re worthless servants. We’ve only done our duty.’”

Imagine, even the Pastoral visits and Chapel dedications, brethren are told to say “Thank you po, Ka Eduardo”?? Those are EVM’s duties! Why do we need to thank HIM? And why is this boasted about over and over?

Even during the time of Jesus, He sent out his 70 disciples who did miraculous things, but when they returned, what did they say?

Luke 10:17
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

What was the teaching of Jesus to them? Did He say, tell everyone what amazing things you did?

Luke 10:19-20
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Even such powerful feats done by the disciples were never boasted about. What Jesus Christ has always taught is HUMILITY.

Like I said, the name of Christ was passed by 7 times in the lesson about the greatness of EVM and his accomplishments. DO NOT FORGET that this is the CHURCH OF CHRIST. Or at least, it used to be. Let me end this quickly so I can get this vile taste out of my mouth on the birthday of the “most important man in the world“. After hearing this lesson, let’s keep in mind what the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 3:20-23
“The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”

It is not all about EVM and his “great sacrifices” – It is about belonging to Christ and God. It not about his “great accomplishments” – it is making sure our names are written in the book of life. And whatever EVM has done, he should simply say what the Lord has commanded – “We’re worthless servants. We’ve only done our duty.’