Iglesia Ni Cristo: The controverisal Filipino sect targeting Africa (Asia by Africa)

Mula sa Asia by Africa

Described as a cult by its detractors, Iglesia Ni Cristo has been implicated in criminal activity, including assassinations in the Philippines: now it’s setting its sights on Africa.

Just the Basics

• Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is a Filipino megachurch founded over a century ago whose founder claims to be God’s last messenger
• The INC has been implicated in criminal activities and murders and maintains strict control over the lives of its adherents
• The church has spread across the world and is focusing its attention on Africa, presenting potential dangers to local communities

On Sunday mornings in South Africa churches across the country are packed with the faithful. In one neighbourhood in Cape Town, parishioners make the journey to the local church. Devoid of a steeple and surrounded by a white picket fence, the church exudes an unassuming air. Donning their Sunday best, worshippers file into the church, passing under a large seal emblazoned with the words Iglesia ni Cristo.

To anyone casting a casual glance, the phrase might be in Latin, a common enough occurence in many churches. Closer observation reveals something surprising: the writing is not in Latin, not even in Spanish - it’s Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines. Inside, the Southeast Asian hints are even more visible - the preacher leading the congregation is Filipino; one of many who have travelled to South Africa (and beyond) to spread the good news.

Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) - or the Church of Christ in English - is a sect from the Philippines that has set its sights on global expansion, with Africa seen as a key growth market. Despite being relative newcomers to Africa, back in the Philippines, the INC is a force to be reckoned with, boasting millions of followers and wielding considerable ecclesiastical and political power. The first INC congregation in South Africa was founded in 1977 by Rogelio M. Rafals, a doctor with the UN Development Program. Initially seeking out fellow Filipinos in the area, Rafals eventually received permission from the INC back in the Philippines to minister to the local population as well.

By 2015, the INC had a presence in nine African countries, with that number jumping to sixteen just a year later. 2018 has seen further rapid growth, with INC General Auditor Gilcerio B. Santos Jr. stating that “we’re sweeping both Northern and Southern Africa as we reach out to INC members and non-members alike.” Whereas the activities of Iglesia Ni Cristo look like yet another wave of foreign missionary work in Africa, the INC’s controversial reputation makes their expansion into Africa of particular concern.

Iglesia Ni Cristo and the personality cult of its Executive Minister

In order to understand the INC’s background and why its overseas expansion is viewed with suspicion by some, we need to leave Africa for the time being and return to the Philippines. The brainchild of one Felix Y. Manalo, the INC came into being in 1914 with Manalo as the church’s executive minister. INC teaching exalts Manalo as God’s last messenger, and that only members of the Church will be saved come the Rapture, for (in the INC’s view) all other Christian denominations have watered down Christ’s teachings.

“It’s comforting to know that we have salvation already promised because we are part of [Iglesia Ni Cristo],” says Johannesburg INC member Jabulile Mbonambi. “If I was told tomorrow that I have to go to a very deserted area just so that I could be a part of anything to do with the Church, it doesn’t matter. I won’t even think twice. I’ll just go because my membership mean my life to me.”

Pekeng "Obispo", Nahulihan ng Droga

Tuwang-tuwa na sanang gamitin laban sa tunay na Iglesia ang balitang may isang "obispo" raw na nahulihan ng droga sa Bacoor, Cavite. Iyon lamang isa palang PEKENG "obispo" ang nahuli ~ PEKENG PARI at PEKENG OBISPO. At ang nakakadismaya sa mga may balak na gamitin ang blaitang ito laban sa Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay (tunay) na Iglesia ni Cristo (Pasugo Abril 1966, p. 46) ~ HINDI SIYA TUNAY NA KATOLIKO!

Sa balita, tatlo ang mga katauhan at grupong PEKE: (1) Peke ang obispo at hindi siya Katoliko. (2) Peke ang Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales, wala pong ganon sa talaan ng mga Catholic Churches at sa Church of England (Anglican). Ang meron lamang ay ang Catholic Church IN England and Wales at hindi po 'OF' England and Wales! (3) Peke at hindi po affiliated sa Catholic Church ang Sacred Order of Saint Michael Congregation. Sounds Catholic but THEY ARE NOT CATHOLICS!

Makailang ulit nang sinasabi ng mga Katoliko na ang daming kumokopya sa Iglesia Katolika pero HINDI sila tunay. Sila ay KALABAN ni Cristo at kalaban ng Santa Iglesia. Tulad ng pangako ni Cristo tungkol sa Kanyang tatag na Iglesia, "HINDI MANANAIG ANG KAPANGYARIHAN NG KADILIMAN!" (Mt. 16:17-19) maging ang iglesia sa DILIMAN ay hindi mananaig ang kanyang mga kasinungalingan!

Supt. Vicente Cabatingan, Bacoor City Police chief, said anti-narcotics teams seized 0.5 grams of shabu worth P3,400, six aluminum foil strips, an improvised glass tooter, two improvised burners and drug paraphernalia from the suspects. 

Alcantara was said to be a former member of the Roman Catholic Church of England and Wales and member of the Sacred Order of Saint Michael Congregation. 

Cabatingan said Alcantara admitted to the use of shabu but claimed he was using it as “a research” to find out about the effects of drugs... read more here!

Mahigit 1 Bilyong Piso raw ang Utang ng Iglesia Ni Cristo® sa mga Bangko (?), ayon sa report ng Rappler

MILLIONS IN LOANS? Documents show that key INC officials were signatories in loan agreements to fund the Ciudad de Victoria project, which includes the Philippine arena.

The late INC executive minister Eraño Manalo once said, 'Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay walang utang kahit na saang bangko. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay hindi nagsasanla ng mga titulo ng lupa para lamang makakuha ng pondo.'

By Katerina Francisco for RAPPLER

Published 12:59 PM, July 27, 2016 
(INC 102 Founding Anniversary)

MANILA, Philippines – It was touted as a world-class structure fit to showcase the growing clout of homegrown Philippine church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). On Wednesday, July 27, the influential church celebrates its 102nd year.

Two years ago in 2014, the Iglesia opened the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor theater, to widespread attention: an P8.7-billion ($200 million) megastructure that served as the centerpiece of the sprawling 75-hectare Ciudad de Victoria complex in Bulacan.

Conceived, designed, and envisioned as a world-class stage for local and international events, the arena has played host to several events: from the INC’s centennial celebrations, to a concert by local celebrity tandem AlDub, and a performance by American pop superstar Katy Perry.

An expert on sociology of religion, Jayeel Cornelio said of the Iglesia ni Cristo in a previous interview that the Philippine Arena "is an establishment, is a marker, of what they (INC) are right now in the 21st century. They're not a religion in the Philippines. They're a religion in the world.”

Funds for the arena, the INC said, came from the donations of its members, a practice that aligns with the teachings of the church’s second executive minister, the late Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo.

In some of his messages to INC members, Ka Erdy had emphasized that the INC should spend within its means, and denounced the idea of the church incurring debts to fund its projects.

Documents obtained by Rappler, however, showed that INC officials had engaged in agreements with two banks, to obtain a P1.137 billion loan to partially fund the construction of Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project.

According to recitals in the loan documents, Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of a “multi-purpose indoor arena, and certain commercial and retail buildings and structures.”

But several amendments to the agreements showed that INC leaders had asked for additional amounts of up to P3 billion to repay the existing loan.

To secure these loan agreements, at least 61 INC-owned properties – ranging from church sites to residential and agricultural areas in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Cavite, and Baguio – were put up as mortgaged collateral.

In addition to this, 317 condominium units in Quezon City, with a total market value of more than P1 billion, were also included as collateral.

Up to P3 billion requested

Based on the documents, the INC was one of the parties in loan agreements entered into by the Maligaya Development Corporation (MDC) with two banks: the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (MBTC) and the Asia United Bank Corporation (AUB).

MDC, the borrower, was represented by Glicerio Santos IV, while the INC was represented by the church’s auditor, Glicerio Santos Jr. (READ: Part 1: Who is Glicerio Santos Jr in the Iglesia ni Cristo?)

Santos Jr was also the signatory for the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation (FMF) and the New Era University (NEU).

According to the memorandum of agreement among MDC, NEU, and INC, the church agreed to turnover the completion of Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project to NEU, with the participation of MDC.

NEU and MDC were to take part in the “financing, construction and development” of the project.

To finance this, MDC acted as borrower in a March 2014 omnibus loan and security agreement with lender MBTC. The latter agreed to provide P1,137,500,000 to partially fund the construction and development of Phase 1 of the project.

But in July 2014, MDC requested for P750 million from MBTC to repay its existing loan.

A month after that, MDC and MBTC entered into a second amendment to the omnibus agreement. MDC sought up to P3 billion to repay its existing loan, putting the total principal amount to up to P4,887,500,000.

Mortgaged collateral

To secure the loan, MDC and the third party mortgagors (those who mortgage their property) – INC and FMF – provided additional mortgaged collateral, covering 61 INC-owned properties. These properties ranged from church sites to agricultural properties to residential ones, located in various areas in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Baguio.

In addition to this, 317 units owned by the INC in LIG Condominium in Quezon City were included as additional mortgaged collateral. According to the appraisal report, the units have a total market value of P1,000,317,000.

Papal Audience kabilang ang PM ng Latvia at Presidente ng UN General Assembly

Si Papa Benedicto XVI at si Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser ng UN

Vatican City, (VIS)- Nagpahayag ng kagalakan ang Holy See Press Office sa pagdalaw sa Vatican ni Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser noong Biyernes ika-15 ng Hunyo 2012, presidente ng ika-66 session ng General Assembly ng United Nations. Nakipagpulong din ang panauhin kay Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B. na sinamahan naman ni Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secratary ng Relations with States.

Pahayag ng Holy See Press:

"The central theme of the cordial discussions was the role of the United Nations Organisation, and especially of the General Assembly, in conflict resolution. Particular consideration was given to the conflicts currently affecting various regions of the world, especially Africa and the Middle East, and to the serious humanitarian emergencies they provoke.


"Attention then turned to the Catholic Church's contribution to peace and development, and to the importance of cooperation between religions and cultures".

Si Valdis Dombrovski, Prime Minister ng Latvia at si
Santo Papa Benedicto XVI

Ngayon sa balita mula sa VIS, matapos ang lingguhang General Audience tinanggap ng Santo papa Benedicto XVI si Valdis Dombrovskis, Prime Minister ng Republika ng Latvia. At katulad ng protocol, nakipagpulong din ang Prime Minister kay Cardinal Bertone at Archbishop Mamberti.

Pahayag ng Holy See Press:

"During their cordial discussions the parties highlighted the good relations that exist between the Holy See and the Republic of Latvia, and the valuable contribution the Catholic Church makes to society, in particular on questions concerning the family and the promotion of a humanism open to spiritual and transcendental values.
"The conversation also focused on questions of mutual interest, with particularly emphasis on the serious economic and financial crisis which is affecting the lives of European peoples".

Maaaring ipagpatuloy ang pagbabasa rito...

Presidente ng Bulgaria at Prime Minister ng Macedonia dumalaw sa Vatican

Reuters: Mga Bulgarian Orthodox priests ay masayang naglalakas sa courtyard ng Vatican, habang dinadaanan nila ang mga Swiss Guards, bago ang pribadong pakikipagtagpo ng Santo Papa sa Presidente ng Bulgaria na si Rosen Plevneliev, May 24, 2012. (Photo Source: DailyLife)

Vatican City, 24 May 2012 (VIS) - Sa naging taunang kaugalian pagpupulong, ay tinanggap ng Santo Papa Benedicto XVI ang Presidente ng Bulgaria na si Rosen Plevneliev at ang Prime Minister ng Macedonia na si Nikola Gruevski. Tinanggap sila ng Vatican's Secretary of State na si Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, SDB na sinamahan naman ni Arsobispo Dominique Mamberty, secretary ng Relations with States.

Ang nasabing pagdalaw ay nagkataon na kapistahan ni San Cyril at Methodius na naging kasangkapan ng Dios upang maging Kristiano ang malaking bahagi ng Europa.

Papa, nanawagan sa Tsina na maging tapat sa Iglesia ni Cristo

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Sa kanyang panalangin ng Oegina Caeli kahapon, si Papa Benedicto XVI ay nanalangin para sa mga kaanib ng Iglesia sa Tsina. Matatandaan na ang mga Instsik na kaanib ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay nagdiriwang ng kapistahan ng "Mary Help of Christians ng may taimtim na debosyon sa Mahal na Ina.

Ang nasabing debosyon ay ipinagdiriwang sa Shrine ng Sheshan sa Shanghai.

Mary, Virgin most faithful, support the path of Chinese Catholics, render their prayer them ever more intense and precious in the eyes of the Lord, and advance the affection and the participation of the universal Church in the journey of the Church in China", panalangin ng Santo Papa.

Dalangin din ng Santo Papa na ang sa pamamagitan ng kanilang kababaang loob ay maikalat ang kagalakan sa Muling Nabuhay na Panginoon at maging tapat sa kanyang Iglesia at ang kahalili ni San Pedro at mamuhay ng may pakikiisa sa pananampalatayang ating isinasabuhay bilang mga Kristianong Katoliko.

Binati rin ng Santo Papa ang may 20 libong tao sa St. Peter's Square at sa mga "libong miyembro ng Italian Movement for Life"

Ituloy ang pagbabasa rito...