A Baseball Retiree Wants to Become a Catholic Priest

Top Baseball Prospect Retires to Enter Priesthood (Source: FoxNews)

NEW YORK — As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.

Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.

Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."

A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.

General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."

"I love the game, but I aspire to higher things," he said. "I know I have no regrets."

In a statement, Beane said: "We respect Grant's decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

Athletes and the priesthood have overlapped, albeit rarely.

Al Travers, who gave up 24 runs during a one-game career for a makeshift Detroit Tigers team in 1912, became a Catholic priest. More recently, Chase Hilgenbrinck of the New England Revolution left Major League Soccer in 2008 to enter a seminary.

Desme spoke on a conference call for about 10 minutes in a quiet, even tone, hardly sounding like many gung-ho, on-the-rise ballplayers. As for his success in the minors, he said "all of it is very undeserving."

The Athletics picked Desme in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft and he was starting to blossom. He was the only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.

Desme batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBIs and 40 steals in 131 games at Class-A Kane County and high Class-A Stockton last year. He hit .315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 27 games this fall in Arizona, a league filled with young talent.

Desme went into the AFL championship game well aware it might be the last time he ever played. "There was no sad feeling," he said. He homered and struck out twice, which "defines my career a bit."

The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Desme was ranked as Oakland's No. 8 prospect by Baseball America. There was speculation the Athletics might invite Desme to big league spring training next month.

Rather, Desme intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, California, in August. He said abbey members didn't seem surprised someone who would "define myself as a baseball player" was changing his life so dramatically.

Desme said he didn't consider pursuing his spiritual studies while also trying to play ball. His family backed his decision and he said the positive reaction to his future goal — the surprising news spread quickly over the Internet — was "inspiring."

"It's about a 10-year process," he said. "I desire and hope I become a priest." In a way, he added, it's like "re-entering the minor leagues."

Desme's first two years in the minors were beset by shoulder and wrist problems. He said his days off the field gave him time to think about what was most important to him, to read and study the Bible and to talk to teammates about his faith.

In retrospect, he said, those injuries were "the biggest blessings God ever gave me."

Who Founded Your Church?

Why Islam must be criticized

What the West Needs to Understand About Islam
by Arslan Shaukat (Source: JihadWatch)

How unfortunate it is that whenever someone attempts to show the facts of true Muhammadan Islam in unflattering manner in a public forum, he risks being tortured or killed by pious Muslims, even in the West. Alas!

The Muslim Ummah is utterly intolerant to criticisms of the Quran, Prophet Muhammad and Islam. Nonetheless, there are individuals who are brave enough to face the challenge of exercising their freedom of speech, their freedom of expression. Ibn Warraq, Ayan Hisri Ali, Wafa Sultan and Maryam Namazie are some of the courageous individuals who have chosen not to indulge in appeasing Muslims and political correctness. They have chosen to speak the historical, factual truth about Muhammadan Islam. And, unsurprisingly, they have been living under constant danger to their lives.

Another brave individual is the Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard. He drew the cartoons of Muhammad that appeared in a Danish newspaper in 2006 that hurled the entire Muslim world into violent frenzy. They started demonstrations and demanded death of the cartoonists and their publishers. On January 2, 2010, a Somali man, armed with an axe and knife, entered Westergaard's house and tried to kill him.

This incident prompted me to write this article.

The reason for the attempted murder of Westergaard is his comical depiction of Muhammad, produced here (photo omitted)

He has drawn other depictions of Muhammad as well. It's interesting to note that although the illustration may appear somewhat derogatory toward Muhammad, but it does make an accurate point in artistic form, i.e. the blood-soaked and war-filled life of Muhammad. That is exactly what the bomb depicts. I personally believe that it's not inflammatory at all; it just makes a true representation of Muhammad in pictorial form.

This incident entails a number of issues within the context of western nations and within the context of a truly democratic set-up, which I will address in this article.

First: Why criticize Islam? And why should non-Muslims/atheists etc. indulge in such criticisms and 'inflammatory actions' when it's already given that Muslim world will react violently.

Second: What is the use of such 'transgressions,' i.e. what good will come out of it?

WHY ISLAM SHOULD BE CRITICIZED:

1. Firstly: Islam is an unproven and unsubstantiated religious dogma. Islam is a truth claim. It's a claim; nothing more. There is no logical reason whatsoever as to why a claim about the basis of existence and morality should not be questioned and analyzed. In fact, reason tells us that such a monumental claim that affects humanity in a big way should be critically analyzed vigorously...
Read more HERE!

Filipino Migrant Workers: Force Conversion to Islam

Christian Filipino migrants forced to convert to Islam

Manila (AsiaNews) – “In my tens in Saudi Arabia, I have witnessed several Catholic or Christian Filipino migrants accept Islam under duress,” said Joselyn Cabrera, a Filipino Catholic nurse working at Riyadh hospital. Because of high unemployment levels in the Philippines, more than ten million Filipinos have left to seek jobs abroad. Every day, about 3,000 leave the country. Recently, a majority has gone to Arab countries—some 600,000 in all, 200,000 in Saudi Arabia alone.
“After some months, employers give you an ultimatum, telling you to become Muslim to keep your job,” she said. “For us, it is hard to make such a choice, but if we don’t, we become the victims of abuse.”

In her years in the kingdom, she said she saw at least 50 forced conversions at work.

“Even I have been subjected to pressures from my Muslim co-workers, but I have always refused saying that I’d rather remain Catholic. Until now, nothing has happened to me, yet.”

According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Filipino emigration towards the Middle East has grown by 29.5 per cent between 2007 and 2008, a destination of choice for many migrants, and this despite horrible working conditions that include the possibility of forced conversion and sexual abuse in the case of women.

The most recent case involves a woman who was raped at work. Because of the incident, Saudi authorities accused her of unlawful extramarital sex and on 11 September jailed her in the capital.

As a result of the rape, she became pregnant, but miscarried because of harsh conditions in the prison.

Next month, she is scheduled to appear before a court, which could sentenced her to 100 lashes (see “Riyadh: rape victim might be lashed 100 times,” in AsiaNews, 22 January 2010).

Let Those who Preach Another Christ be Accursed!

In Galatians 1:8, St. Paul stricly warned us of the coming of the a false messenger disguishing as "angel" preaching another Gospel to "pervert the [true] Gospel of Christ:

"I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by (the) grace (of Christ) for a different gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed!"

This man, extoled himself to the levels of angels and dethroned Jesus to levels of men subjected to imperfection and sin. He taught his followers that Jesus is JUST ONLY a MERE man.

The Bible is the basis for our belief that Jesus is God. Thanks to Scripture Catholic, I've got these Scriptural Passages that confirmed Jesus' Divinity:

Scripture
I. Old and New Testament Parallels of God the Father and God the Son
Exodus 3:14 - God says "I AM who I AM" - John 8:58 - Jesus says "Before Abraham was, I AM" in reference to Himself.

Deut. 4:2; 12:32 - the Lord God commands that we not add or take away from His word - Rev. 22:18-19 - Jesus so commands us not to add or take away from His word.

Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6 - the Lord kills and makes alive again and raises up - John 5:21 - the Son raises and gives life.

Deut. 32:39 - neither is there any that can deliver out of God's hand - John 10:28 - nor shall any pluck out of Jesus' hand.

Deut. 32:43 - rejoice, ye heavens, with Him, and let all the angels of God worship Him - Heb. 1:6 - the "Him" is Jesus the Son.

2 Sam. 22:3 - God is the horn of salvation - Luke 1:68-69 - Jesus is the horn of salvation.

Psalm 19:7 - the law of the Lord is perfect - Gal. 6:2 - fulfill the law of Christ.

Psalm 24:10 - the Lord is the King of glory - 1 Cor. 2:8 - Jesus is the Lord of glory.

Psalm 45:7 - Therefore God, your God, has anointed you. God calls someone else God. This someone else is His eternally begotten Son - Heb. 1:9 - Therefore God, your God, has anointed you. cf. Heb. 1:8, 10.

Psalm 62:12 - the Lord God renders to each according to his work - Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12 - Jesus so renders to each according to his work.

Psalm 71:5 - the Lord God is our hope - 1 Tim. 1:1 - the Lord Jesus Christ who is our hope.

Psalm 89:27 – I will make him the first-born, the highest (“elyon” which refers to God) of the kings of the earth - John 18:36-27 – Jesus is this first-born king.

Psalm 97:9 - the Lord God is above all - John 3:31 - Jesus is above all.

Psalms 110:1 - the Lord (Yahweh) said to my Lord - Jesus = Yhwh - Acts 2:34-36 - God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ.

Psalm 148:1-2 - the angels worship the Lord God - Heb. 1:6 - the angels worship Jesus. Only God is worshiped.

Prov. 3:12 - who the Lord loves He corrects - Rev. 3:19 - who Jesus loves He corrects.

Isaiah 7:14 - a virgin will bear a Son named Emmanuel which means "God is with us" - Matt. 1:23 - this Son is Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.

Isaiah 9:6 - the child to be born shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 25:8 - God swallows up death in victory - 2 Tim. 1:10 - Jesus abolishes death and brings life and immortality.

Isaiah 40:8 - the Word of God shall stand forever - Matt. 24:35 - the Words of Jesus shall not pass away.

Isaiah 42:8 - God gives His glory to no other - John 17:5; Heb. 1:3 - yet Jesus has the same glory as the Father.

Isaiah 43:14 - the Lord God is redeemer - Titus 2:14 - Jesus is the redeemer.

Isaiah 44:6 - the Lord God is the first and the last - Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13 - Jesus is the first and the last.

Isaiah 45:19 - I, the Lord God, did not speak in secret - John 18:20 - Jesus said "I have said nothing secretly."

Isaiah 45:23 - to God, every knee shall bow and every tongue swear. Phil. 2:10-11 - at Jesus' name every knee should bow and tongue confess.

Isaiah 48:17 - God is the Holy One - Acts 3:14 - Jesus is the Holy One.

Isaiah 60:19 - God is everlasting light - Revelation 21:23 - Jesus the Lamb is eternal light.

Jer. 17:10 - the Lord searches the hearts and repays us according to our deeds - Rev. 2:23 - Jesus searches the hearts and repays us according to our deeds.

Ezek. 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9 - God's glorious appearance - Rev. 1:13-16 - Jesus' glorious appearance.

Ezek. 34:11-31 - God the Father is the shepherd of the flock - John 10:7-29 - Jesus is the shepherd of the flock.

Ezek. 34:16 - God seeks to save that which was lost - Luke 19:10 - Jesus seeks to save that which was lost.

Ezek. 34:17 - God judges between cattle, rams and goats - Matt. 25:32 - Jesus judges and separates the goats from the sheep.

Ezek. 43:2 - God's voice was like a noise of many waters - Rev. 1:15 - Jesus' voice was like the sound of many waters.

Dan. 2:47 - the Lord is the God of gods and the Lord of Lords - Rev. 17:14 - Jesus the Lamb is the Lord of Lords... (Read more of Jesus Christ Divinity!)

The “Iglesia Ni Cristo”: A Christian analysis

by Tony Costa

"Many of the major cults today such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons and Christian Science to name a few, find their origins in the United States. The world of the cults however, has no geographical boundaries or restrictions as far as their influence goes. One cult in particular, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC hereafter), traces its origins to the Philippines. It began in the Philippines through Felix Manalo. The majority of the membership of the INC are Filipinos, but the Church is open to all peoples. Its world headquarters is in Quezon City, Philippines.

The name “Iglesia Ni Cristo” means “Church of Christ”. There have been many cults and sects who have used this name for themselves. The Mormons for instance, when they began in 1830, first used the name “Church of Christ”.[1] The main magazine of the INC is Pasugo or God’s Message. In this paper, these two terms will be used interchangeably.

A cult, in Christian terminology, is a group gathered around an individual or an organization that claims to be a prophet, a messenger, an apostle, or one who has been specially chosen by God. Cults claim to be in harmony with the historic Christian faith but in fact, they deny all the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith such as the Trinity, the Deity of Christ, Salvation by Grace Alone to name a few. All cults have the following common traits:

1.They all claim to be the restoration of Christianity; they are the true Church, the remnant, movement, and only organization of God. All others are in error.

2.They all have extra biblical authority. The Bible is never enough; it cannot be understood apart from the cult. The Bible always has a secondary status, and it is the cult’s book or new revelation that is above the Bible, and interprets it.

3.All cults deny the Deity of Jesus Christ. They all deny that Jesus is the eternal God made flesh.

4.All cults deny salvation by grace alone. Cults emphasize that works are absolutely necessary for salvation.
.... Read MORE HERE

Persecuted Coptic Christians in Egypt Plead for HELP!

Recently at a mass for the Coptic Christmas in Egypt, Muslims struck with a drive by shooting, killing seven. Finally one US politician has taken a stand against the centuries long persecution of the Coptics in Egypt. Hats off to Albio Sires (D-NJ 13th congressional district.)
(Source Article Loganswarning.com )

Christian in Egypt: ‘They Try to Kill Us’
January 26, 2010 – Dana Lewis
Egyptian Maher El-Gowhary and his 15 year old daughter Dina never pray twice at the same church, never stay longer than a month in any one apartment. They are constantly under threat, always on the run because they converted to Christianity in a largely Muslim country.

Maher and Dina nervously agreed to meet us at a Church in Cairo. The priest at the Church said he feared problems from the Egyptian authorities and while he agreed to have us watch his Sunday mass, the Priest declined to speak to us about what is happening in Egypt and to the El-Gowhary’s.

They tell their story out of fear and desperation. Born Muslims they chose to convert to the Christian Church after both claim they had religious visions.

Now Maher says “Muslims try to kill us, and will kill us if they find us.”

Several religious fatwas have been issued for “spilling his blood” after Maher asked an Egyptian Court to legally recognize his conversion, so he can one day be buried as a Christian and so his daughter won’t be forced into a marriage by her Muslim mother.

The court ruled a legal conversion to Christianity would threaten public order. His lawyer told us it’s a dangerous double standard because in Egypt a Christian can convert to the Muslim faith in a week, but a Muslim cannot convert to the Christian faith.

Ten percent of Egypt is Christian, largely the Coptic Christians who increasingly say they face daunting discrimination and even death.

We had to hide our camera as we followed the El-Gowhary’s because we were told if the authorities discovered we were preparing our story we would be arrested.

Religious tensions are running high in Egypt.

On January 6th, the Coptic Christmas eve, three Muslim men sprayed gunfire at a Church in Upper Egypt killing six Christians and wounding up to a dozen more. Christians rioted the next day and the area is still closed to outsiders including the press.

Human rights activist Hussein Bahjet say’s Egypt has the potential to become like Lebanon because of growing sectarian violence.

“Civil strife that could engulf the country” Bahjet says.

The U.S. State Department reports respect of religious freedom in Egypt is declining, Christians are denied Government jobs, Priests are threatened and harassed, Christians are increasingly attacks in what State describes as “a climate of impunity that encourages violence.”

In some cases authorities turn a blind eye to attacks on Christians, in other cases there is evidence police sparked the attacks.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been largely silent about the problem, but this week he spoke out saying Egyptians must up-root “fanaticism and sectarianism, which threatens the unit of our nation.”

Dina has written a letter to President Obama which has been published on Christian websites. She has been pulled out of school. She has only a blue jean jacket to stay warm and little food to eat. Her letter was a desperate plea. “I wrote that we are a minority Christian Community treated very badly and I want to tell President Obama to tell the Egyptian Government to treat us well.”

Her father Mayer says he can’t stay in Egypt anymore. He and his daughter are in such grave danger we can’t report where they are in Egypt now, or where they are planning on moving tomorrow.

In recent days the two met with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in Cairo. They asked for refugee status to get out of Egypt.

A source at the Commission say’s its a complicated matter because Dina has a Muslim mother and there are legal issues, but their request is being considered.

The Commission source also says because of religious in Egypt, last year the State Department down graded Egypt to being on a watch list. This year it could potentially be downgraded further to a Country of particular concern. That means the U.S. might even consider sanctions against a Country which receives some 2 billion dollars in U.S. aid every year.

As I write this Dina and her father are packing, moving to another area of Egypt. Out of money. And running of out hope.

Cross Seen in the Sky in Russia

Science has it's own way of explaining this phenomenon. It could be Aurora Borealis but who are we to distort what God wants us to know in these days when many of so called "Christians" don't believe in the power of the Cross of Christ but believed in the power of their own founders and established protesting "churches"?

The Secret Behind Felix Manalo's Ordination

This topic was never taught or discussed in any of Iglesia ni Cristo® forums, meetings or "Pamamahayag". What's behind the secret of his ordination? Try to discover it by reading Ms. Emily Jordan's exposition.

Note: Ms. Emily Jordan is not a Catholic. However her expository research are comprehensive and professionally done.

God bless Ms. Emily.

"The Pope Is the First Among the Patriarchs."

"The Pope Is the First Among the Patriarchs." Just How Remains to Be Seen (Article Source: Sando Magister
With Benedict XVI, for the first time in history, the Orthodox have agreed to discuss the primacy of the bishop of Rome, according to the model of the first millennium, when the Church was undivided. Never before seen: the outline of the dialogue

ROME, January 25, 2010 – This evening, with vespers in the basilica of Saint Paul's Outside the Walls, Benedict XVI is closing the week of prayer for Christian unity.

There are some who say that ecumenism has entered a phase of retreat and chill. But as soon as one that looks to the East, the facts say the opposite. Relations with the Orthodox Churches have never been so promising as they have since Joseph Ratzinger has been pope.

The dates speak for themselves. A period of chill in the theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches of Byzantine tradition began in 1990, when the two sides clashed over so-called "uniatism," meaning the ways in which Catholic communities of the Eastern rites duplicate in everything the parallel Orthodox communities, differing only by their obedience to the Church of Rome.

In Balamond, in Lebanon, the dialogue came to a halt. It hit an even bigger obstacle on the Russian side, where the patriarchate of Moscow could not tolerate seeing itself "invaded" by Catholic missionaries sent there by Pope John Paul II, who were all the more suspect because they were of Polish nationality, historically a rival.

The dialogue remained frozen until, in 2005, the German Joseph Ratzinger ascended to the throne of Peter, a pope highly appreciated in the East for the same reason he prompts criticisms in the West: for his attachment to the great Tradition.

First in Belgrade in 2006, and then in Ravenna in 2007, the international mixed commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches started meeting again.

And what rose to the top of the discussion was precisely the question that most divides East and West: the primacy of the successor of Peter in the universal Church.

From the session in Ravenna emerged the document that marked the shift, dedicated to "conciliarity and authority" in the ecclesial communion.

The document of Ravenna, approved unanimously by both sides, affirms that "primacy and conciliarity are mutually interdependent." And in paragraph 41, it highlights the points of agreement and disagreement:

"Both sides agree that . . . that Rome, as the Church that 'presides in love' according to the phrase of St Ignatius of Antioch, occupied the first place in the taxis, and that the bishop of Rome was therefore the protos among the patriarchs. They disagree, however, on the interpretation of the historical evidence from this era regarding the prerogatives of the bishop of Rome as protos, a matter that was already understood in different ways in the first millennium."

"Protos" is the Greek word that means "first." And "taxis" is the structure of the universal Church.

Since then, the discussion on controversial points has advanced at an accelerated pace. And it has started to examine, above all, how the Churches of East and West interpreted the role of the bishop of Rome during the first millennium, when they were still united.

The basis of the discussion is a text that was drafted on the island of Crete at the beginning of autumn in 2008.

The text has never been made public before now. It is in English, and can be read in its entirety on this page of www.chiesa:


> The Role of the Bishop of Rome in the Communion of the Church in the First Millennium


The international mixed commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches started discussing this text in Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, from October 16-23, 2009.

It has started to examine the preaching of Peter and Paul in Rome, their martyrdom and the presence of their tombs in Rome, which for Irenaeus of Lyons confers preeminent authority on the apostolic Roman see.

From there, the discussion continued by examining the letter of Pope Clement to the Christians of Corinth, the testimony of St. Ignatius of Antioch, who identifies the Church of Rome as the one that "presides in charity," the role of popes Anicetus and Victor in the controversy surrounding the date of Easter, the positions of St. Cyprian of Carthage in the controversy over whether or not to rebaptize the "lapsi," meaning the Christians who had sacrificed to idols in order to save their lives.

The intention is to understand to what extent the form that the primacy of the bishop of Rome had in the first millennium can act as a model for a rediscovered unity between East and West in the third millennium of the Christian era.

In the middle, however, there has been a second millennium in which the primacy of the pope was interpreted and lived, in the West, in increasingly accentuated forms, far from the ones that the Churches of the East are willing to accept today.

And this will be the critical point of the discussion. But the delegations from the two sides are not afraid to face it. Benedict XVI himself said this last January 20, explaining in the general audience to the faithful the meaning of the week of prayer for Christian unity:

"With the Orthodox Churches, the international mixed commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches has begun to study a crucial theme in the dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox: the role of the bishop of Rome in the communion of the Church in the first millennium, meaning the time in which the Christians of the East and West lived in full communion. This study will be extended afterward to the second millennium."

The next session already has a preset place, Vienna, and a date, from September 20-27, 2010.

For all these years, the head of the Catholic delegation has been Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the pontifical council for the promotion of Christian unity.

As head of the Orthodox delegation for years has been metropolitan of Pergamon Joannis Zizioulas, a theologian of recognized value and of great authority, the "mind" of ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, and highly respected by pope Ratzinger, with whom he has a relationship of deep friendship.

Relations have also improved with the patriarch of Moscow. In Ravenna, the Russian delegates had abandoned the work because of a disagreement with the patriarch of Constantinople on whether or not to admit Orthodox representatives from the Church of Estonia, which is not recognized by Moscow.

But in Paphos, last October, the tear has been patched up. And now the patriarchate of Moscow has friendly relations with Rome as well. Proof of this came a few months ago, the publication by the patriarchate of a book with writings by Benedict XVI, an initiative without precedent in history.

The initiative will soon be reciprocated by Rome, with writings by patriarch Kirill collected in a volume published by Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

A meeting between the pope and the patriarch of Moscow is now also in the realm of possibility. Maybe sooner than one might think.

A Deception Style of an Iglesia ni Cristo member

Brother Cenon Bibe's Tumbukin-Natin Blog received a comment from a user named TERTULLIAN, a member of the cult Iglesia ni Cristo®. The original quotes were English but when he tried to translate it in Tagalog (Filipino) there he changed its meaning. I suggest you to read carefully and open your eyes how he changed the meaning of his quoted passage from a Catholic priest:

“Did Jesus Christ established a church?”

“Yes, both secular and profane, as well as from the Bible which is considered as a human document. Jesus Christ established a church which from the earliest times has been called after him, the Christian church or the church of Christ...This church, built and established by Christ is the church of Christ, it is the only true church in which God orders all men to join.” (Rev. Francis B. Cassilly S.J. , Religion Doctrine & Practice, page 101)

Sa Tagalog po: [In Tagalog]

“Si Jesu Cristo ba ay nagtayo ng iglesia?”

“Oo, mula sa pangsanglibutan (secular) at hindi pangkabanalan (profane), lalo na mula sa Biblia na itinuturing na isang dokumentong makatao. Si Jesu Cristo ay nagtayo ng isang iglesia na mula sa mga unang panahon ay tinawag ng sunod sa kaniya, ang iglesia Cristiana o ang Iglesia Ni Cristo...Ang iglesiang ito, na itinayo at binalangkas ni Cristo ay ang Iglesia ni Cristo, ito lamang ang tunay na iglesia na pinaguutos ng Diyos na aniban ng lahat ng tao.” [Rev. Francis B. Cassilly S.J. , Religion Doctrine & Practice, page 101]

Then he boasted how a Catholic priest accepts the church of Christ to be the only Church where all souls are to be saved. Read below:

Maging ang isang pari po ng Simbahang Katoliko na si Francis B. Cassilly ay sumasangayon na ang pangalan ng Iglesia ay Iglesia ni Cristo, sapagkat ito ang pangalan na sunod sa kaniya (o tinawag ng sunod sa kaniyang pangalan- pangalang Cristo), at ayon din sa kaniya ang Iglesia ni Cristo ang tunay na iglesia na pinaguutos ng Diyos na aniban ng lahat ng tao, na ito aniyay mula sa Biblia na itinuturing na dokumentong makatao. Maliwanag na maliwanag po iyan. [Even a priest of the Catholic Church Francis B. Cassilly confirmed that the name of the Church is Church of Christ, because this bears his name ( or called to take his name Christ), and also according to him the Church of Christ is the true church which God commands all to join, that this, he said is from the Bible which is a humane document. That should be very clear. ]

If you've found his deception style, you are clever and you can debate with an Iglesia ni Cristo just for this topic alone! Praise God!

Truthcaster aka Conrad J. Obligacion (resbak.com)

Thanks to Mr. Cenon Bibe for this post Truthcaster at ang Resbak.com

PAULIT-ULIT po tayong INIIMBITAHAN ni TRUTHCASTER sa kanyang BLOG.

PINAGBIGYAN po natin SIYA at DINALAW NATIN ang kanyang BLOG na may pamagat na RESBAK.COM

GUSTUHIN man po nating PAGBIGYAN si TRUTHCASTER na DALASAN NATIN ang DALAW sa BLOG NIYA ay SORRY po kung HINDI NATIN SIYA MAPAGBIBIGYAN.

NAKAKITA po kasi TAYO ng ILANG NAGLALAKIHANG PROBLEMA sa BLOG ni TRUTHCASTER.

Una po, HINDI PO NAGPAKILALA si TRUTHCASTER.

SINABI lang po roon na ang AUTHOR niyon ay "filipino male blogging out of the SF bay area. i’m blogging about my current interest mainly religion, history, tech, news!

"Currently on assignment and based in Munich, Germany!"

WALA pong KONKRETONG PAGPAPAKILALA.

Ano po yon? IKINAHIHIYA ba ni TRUTHCASTER ang SARILI NIYANG BLOG?

Kung IKINAHIHIYA ni TRUTHCASTER ang KANYANG BLOG ay MAYROON naman pong MALINAW na DAHILAN: MARAMI po (o baka KARAMIHAN) ng NILALAMAN ng KANYANG BLOG ay PANINIRA LANG sa IGLESIA KATOLIKA o sa SIMBAHANG KATOLIKO.

MARAMI po SIYA roong SINASABI na LANTARAN at TUWIRANG HINDI TOTOO. MARAMI rin po SIYA roong pag-QUOTE sa mga REPERENSIYA na SOBRANG OUT OF CONTEXT. At MARAMI po sa mga BINABANGGIT NIYANG FACTS ay DISTORTED o BINALUKTOT.

PAMILYAR po ba? Katulad po ba ng TAKTIKA ng mga NAKAUSAP NATIN DITO na mga KAANIB ng INC?

E baka po DAHIL KAANIB din ng INC si TRUTHCASTER, hindi po kaya?

Sabagay, KITANG-KITA naman po natin na NUNG SI TRUTHCASTER NA ang NAGSABI sa mga KAANIB ng INC na TUMIGIL NA sa PAKIKIPAG TALAKAYAN DITO ay SINUNOD NAMAN SIYA AGAD ng mga KAANIB ng INC.

Hindi po kaya, MATAAS ang KATUNGKULAN ni TRUTHCASTER sa INC kaya animo SUNUD-SUNURAN sa KANYA ang mga KAANIB DOON?

Anyway, NAITANONG LANG PO NATIN.

Ngayon, WALA pong PROBLEMA kung MARAMI sa mga SINASABI sa BLOG ni TRUTHCASTER ay HINDI TOTOO at SADYANG PANINIRA LANG. NAPAKADALI po NATING MASASAGOT ang mga IYAN.

At DIYAN po LUMALABAS ang PANGALAWANG MALAKING PROBLEMA sa BLOG ni TRUTHCASTER.

HINDI po MALAYANG MAKAPAG-RE-REACT o MAKASASAGOT ang mga GUSTONG MAG-KOMENTO.

MERON pong CENSORSHIP at PINIPILI LANG ang mga REAKSYON, KOMENTO at PUNA.

Sa PAGKAKAUNAWA KO po, ang NAGSI-CENSOR LANG ay yung MARAMI ang ITINATAGO.

May sinabi po si TRUTHCASTER sa ATIN na ang hindi lang daw niya pinalulusot ay ang mga "kabastusan."

MAY KATWIRAN po SIYA roon.

Pero sinabi na po sa atin ng ilang SUMUBOK MAG-KOMENTO SA BLOG NIYA na HINDI NAI-POST ang KANYANG KOMENTO. NA-CENSOR.

Dahil po sa mga iyan ay MASASABI NATIN na WALANG KREDEBILIDAD ang BLOG ni TRUTHCASTER at HINDI NARARAPAT na BIGYAN ng SERYOSONG PANSIN.

Marahil kung gusto lang ninyong MAINIS e puwede kayong magbasa ng mga sinasabi roon pero sino ba ang gustong mainis, di po ba?

So, SALAMAT na lang, TRUTHCASTER pero MARAMING SERYOSONG BLOG na PUWEDE NATING PAG-AKSAYAHAN ng PANAHON at HINDI KASAMA sa mga IYON ang BLOG MO.

SORRY na lang.

PERSONALLY, MARAHIL kung MAKAKAHANAP KA ng TAPANG na ILAGAY ang PANGALAN MO sa BLOG MO ay BAKA MABAGO PA ang ISIP KO.

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME.

I am proud to introduce to you Mr. CONRAD J. OBLIGACION the author of resbak.com who stole the title being used by INC's rival, Eliseo Soriano of ADD.

Non-Abrahimic Religions Support Copts

Hindus and Sheiks Come Out to support Copts









Thanks to Islamizationwatch.org

Nokia E71 Could have been Hacked by Catholics!

Guess what!

If you have Nokia E71, try to navigate its Dictionary software installed. Type the word "church" and you will see this:

Could be, that Catholics hacked the Nokia E71 for having the Catholic Church as an example of a church. It should have been the Iglesia ni Cristo® as Christ's "restored Church" to its pristine beauty?

Just for a laugh today!

God calls by name!

Have you noticed in the Bible a clear pattern how God calls someone to do His special mission? He calls them by name and changed them according to how they would carry out their divine assignments.

God established his Covenant to Israel. Even today, Israel still is the Chosen Nation belonging to God. No matter how stubborn the Israelites were, He never deserted them nor had God replaced Israel to something else. Even in their tenacity God NEVER found another “Israel” nor did He abandoned his Chosen Nation and form another. God keeps his promises. He is true to his words and he never changed yesterday, today and forever, says St. Paul.

From the time when he first called Abram to be the “Father of all Nations” He gave him a very difficult test by asking him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrificial offering. With trust and confidence he obeyed God, not giving to his love Isaac. And as we know, later his son was spared however God was pleased with him of which his name was changed to Abraham which means “Father of all Nations”. (see Genesis)

God changed Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah!

Through Abraham, his son Isaac bore two sons through Rebekka; Esau and Jacob. Jacob who’s the younger one obtained his “first-born” sonship when Esau sold it to him for a bowl of porridge. Realizing how he was duped by Jacob, in fear of Esau’s vengeance, Jacob was told to spend his time in Mesopotamia (now Iraq). Years past Jacob is known to have wrestled with an angel the night before he reunited with his elder brother Esau (see Gen. 32:25-30). The angel renamed him “Israel” for he wrestled with God and still he’s victorious.” And we all know that Israel became a nation to this day.

God changed Jacob to Israel!

Israel had 12 sons of which the story of Joseph being sold to Egyptians was recorded in Genesis. The time had come when his descendants became slaves in Egypt they cried out to the Lord for deliverance.

Keeping his promise of old through Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, he called Moses from among his own people and used him to free the Israelites from bondage. Throughout the life of Moses he mediated between God and his people however after seeing all the wonders and miracles God did in their midst, the Israelites remained stubborn people. But God kept his promise never to abandon them until they set all their foot in the Promised Land (now Israel) no matter how they were unwilling.

Here you see how God kept his promised to his people. As Marshall Taylor said in his book 'The Crucified Rabbi', no matter how stubborn the Israelites were, he never created a “Protestant Israel” nor he changed his covenant with them. He never sends prophets and sages and helped Israel back to its right path. He has his words and his promised fulfilled.

As in the Old Covenant, God continues to call someone to carry out a special mission in the New Testament. Out of Twelve (12) Jesus called Simon bar Jonah. After Simon confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, he was given a special leadership to His Church by calling Simon “PETER” which means “ROCK” that “upon this ‘ROCK’ he will build his Church” and that he promised, hell could never snatch it away from him (see Matthew 16). He specifically entrusted him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, that whatever he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever he looses on earth would be loose in heaven. Simon Peter’s role was to be the Twelve’s arbiter. Record of his function was accounted in the Council of Jerusalem (see Acts…) when he first acted as the head of the Twelve.

God changed Simon to Peter (Rock) and that through this ‘Rock’ he would build HIS CHURCH, and promised not to abandon it. He will never forsake his Church nor he would leave them desolate like widowed. Just as God kept his covenant with the stubborn Israelites, he promised NEVER to abandon his own Church. Nor the gates of Hell could take it away.

St. Paul of Tarsus was another. His former name was Saul, known to be Christians fierces persecutors. While on his way to Damascus (Syria), he was blinded by a great light and he heard Jesus. From there he was converted (metanoia) and was instructed by Jesus to meet his Ananias in Damascus to restore his sight. Soon after, he was known to have met St. Peter and St. James in Jerusalem before he set his missions outside Israel.

Christ changed Saul to Paul and made him the apostle to the Gentiles.

Because of that pattern, in the Catholic Church, each elected Pope has to change his name which reflects his mission to lead Christs’ flock. Today, Cardinal Ratzinger is known as Pope Benedict XVI emulating St. Benedict.

Why I am saying this is because I want to establish the fact when God calls someone for a special mission, he calls them by name and changing their names emphasizes the nature of their mission.

In the case of FELIX Y. MANALO who claimed to be God’s chosen “Last Messenger” he was a special because they cannot establish any proof of how God called him in a pattern he did from old until today. Nor did he receive any revelation from God that he would be as such and that from now on his name would changed to something else. All we know is that he was a confused former Catholic and pastor of different protestant sects until he finally decided to register his own cult as a Corporation Sole.

His original name FELIX MANALO YSAGUN was given him when he was baptized as a Catholic. Later on he alone decided to change his own name preferring his mother’s last name over his father’s and thus the name FELIX Y. MANALO came to be.

God didn’t changed his name! He did it all alone by himself and credited God for it.

When he was caught red-handed over allegiations that he molested women in his congregation, like Rosita Trillanes and some other wives of his ministers, sensing he’d be losing control over his own cult by that controversy which went public in gazzettes, he alone by himself decided to teach HIM BEING AN ANGEL then cut-paste biblical verses that he thought would back-up his claims!

In fact, Felix Manalo’s teachings reflects none of God’s way of calling. Here’s what he had changed about God, Christ and his Covenant with his people- Israel and the Church.

1. He teaches that God deserted his Covenant by abandoning his Original Church and sent someone to register another church in the Philippines under the Tagalog name ‘Iglesia ni Cristo.’
2. He teaches that God created another ‘Covenant’ by saying Christ totally disposed of his own Church and established it again in the Philippines through him as “his Last Messenger” leaving all his apostles, sages, saints and martyrs insignificant witnesses.
3. He teaches that God lied to Simon Peter and that the gates of hell actually did prevailed in his Church.
4. He teaches that Christ abandoned his Church when in fact God never abandons his own Chosen People no matter how stubborn they have been.
5. He teaches another God—a lying God!
6. He teaches a liar Christ—a man, mortal, completely exposed to sinfulness and imperfection when the Bible says He is Logos-God, made flesh.
7. He teaches a man only Christ and exulted him to the heights of “angels’.
8. He teaches people to worship God alone but prays to a man named Jesus for deliverance and forgiveness of sins when only God can do such forgiveness.
9. He teaches that no one is saved unless baptized in his Iglesia ni Cristo and that each believe Felix Manalo was the ‘Last Messenger’
10. He teaches that all those who were not baptized in the Iglesia ni Cristo® has already been condemned to Hell.

Therefore, Felix Manalo is a liar, apostate, false prophet, fallen angel and that his Iglesia ni Cristo® is the modern day god baal whom they so revere and pledge allegiance to death. Aside from copy-paste carefully selected verses from different Bible Translations of their choices, they cannot establish any proof that God called Felix Manalo. Following that simple litmus test of how God calls his sages, Felix Manalo falls short and therefore he belongs to those whom he said “apostate”. All those who were not baptized in the Iglesia ni Cristo® are already condemned he said.

From his own mouth comes his own condemnation to Hell!
-----------------------
Sources:
Examine Iglesia ni Cristo
Answers.com
Web Archive
About.com
Adherents.com
Catholic Answers
Into the Maw of the Cult
CIA Facts
Iglesia ni Cristo in a Nutshell
Marshall Taylor - The Crucified Rabbi
Emily Jordan Blog

Priests are told by Pope to 'Go Forth and BLOG'

Pope to priests: Go forth and blog (Washington Post)
VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI has a new commandment for priests struggling to get their message across: Go forth and blog.

The pope, whose own presence on the Web has heavily grown in recent years, urged priests on Saturday to use all multimedia tools at their disposal to preach the Gospel and engage in dialogue with people of other religions and cultures.

And just using e-mail or surfing the Web is often not enough: Priests should use cutting-edge technologies to express themselves and lead their communities, Benedict said in a message released by the Vatican.

"The spread of multimedia communications and its rich 'menu of options' might make us think it sufficient simply to be present on the Web," but priests are "challenged to proclaim the Gospel by employing the latest generation of audiovisual resources," he said.

The message, prepared for the World Day of Communications, suggests such possibilities as images, videos, animated features, blogs, and Web sites.

Benedict said young priests should become familiar with new media while still in seminary, though he stressed that the use of new technologies must reflect theological and spiritual principles.

"Priests present in the world of digital communications should be less notable for their media savvy than for their priestly heart, their closeness to Christ," he said.

The 82-year-old pope has often been wary of new media, warning about what he has called the tendency of entertainment media, in particular, to trivialize sex and promote violence, while lamenting that the endless stream of news can make people insensitive to tragedies.

But Benedict has also praised new ways of communicating as a "gift to humanity" when used to foster friendship and understanding.

The Vatican has tried hard to keep up to speed with the rapidly changing field.

Last year it opened a YouTube channel as well as a portal dedicated to the pope. The Pope2You site gives news on the pontiff's trips and speeches and features a Facebook application that allows users to send postcards with photos of Benedict and excerpts from his messages to their friends.

Many priests and top prelates already interact with the faithful online. One of Benedict's advisers, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, the archbishop of Naples, has his own Facebook profile and so does Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles.

In Saturday's message - titled "The priest and pastoral ministry in a digital world: new media at the service of the Word" - Benedict urged special care in contacts with other cultures and beliefs.

A presence on the Web, "precisely because it brings us into contact with the followers of other religions, nonbelievers and people of every culture, requires sensitivity to those who do not believe, the disheartened and those who have a deep, unarticulated desire for enduring truth and the absolute," he said.

Monsignor Claudio Maria Celli, who heads the Vatican's social communications office, said that Benedict's words aimed to encourage reflection in the church on the positive uses of new media.

"That doesn't mean that (every priest) must open a blog or a Web site. It means that the church and the faithful must engage in this ministry in a digital world," Celli told reporters. "At some point, a balance will be found."

Celli, 68, said that young priests would have no trouble following the pope's message, but, he joked, "those who have a certain age will struggle a bit more."

Geert Wilder's Speech on his Trial in Denmark

Here's Mr. Geert Wilder's Speech before his hearing today- (Source: JihadWatch.org ):

Mister Speaker, judges of the court,
I would like to make use of my right to speak for a few minutes.

Freedom is the most precious of all our attainments and the most vulnerable. People have devoted their lives to it and given their lives for it. Our freedom in this country is the outcome of centuries. It is the consequence of a history that knows no equal and has brought us to where we are now.

I believe with all my heart and soul that the freedom in the Netherlands is threatened. That what our heritage is, what generations could only dream about, that this freedom is no longer a given, no longer self-evident.

I devote my life to the defence of our freedom. I know what the risks are and I pay a price for it every day. I do not complain about it; it is my own decision. I see that as my duty and it is why I am standing here.

I know that the words I use are sometimes harsh, but they are never rash. It is not my intention to spare the ideology of conquest and destruction, but I am not any more out to offend people. I have nothing against Muslims. I have a problem with Islam and the Islamization of our country because Islam is at odds with freedom.

Future generations will wonder to themselves how we in 2010, in this place, in this room, earned our most precious attainment. Whether there is freedom in this debate for both parties and thus also for the critics of Islam, or that only one side of the discussion may be heard in the Netherlands? Whether freedom of speech in the Netherlands applies to everyone or only to a few? The answer to this is at once the answer to the question whether freedom still has a home in this country.

Freedom was never the property of a small group, but was always the heritage of us all. We are all blessed by it.

Lady Justice wears a blindfold, but she has splendid hearing. I hope that she hears the following sentences, loud and clear:

It is not only a right, but also the duty of free people to speak against every ideology that threatens freedom. Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States was right: The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

I hope that the freedom of speech shall triumph in this trial.

In conclusion, Mister Speaker, judges of the court.

This trial is obviously about the freedom of speech. But this trial is also about the process of establishing the truth. Are the statements that I have made and the comparisons that I have taken, as cited in the summons, true? If something is true then can it still be punishable? This is why I urge you to not only submit to my request to hear witnesses and experts on the subject of freedom of speech. But I ask you explicitly to honour my request to hear witnesses and experts on the subject of Islam. I refer not only to Mister Jansen and Mister Admiraal, but also to the witness/experts from Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Without these witnesses, I cannot defend myself properly and, in my opinion, this would not be an fair trial.

------------------------------------------
Please remember Mr. Geert Wilder in your prayers today!

Terrorism: It's Time to Break our Silence!

Thanks to AtlasShrugs2000 for these up-to-date photos!

"Allah" not for Christians (says who?)

The "Allah" war widens in Malaysia: Non-Muslims could face fines, jail for using list of 35 terms now reserved to Islam
(Thanks to JihadWatch) "Kuala Lumpur: Non-Muslims in Malaysia's Selangor state have been asked to refrain from using 35 Islamic terms and references, including the word "Allah", either orally or in writing to propagate their religion.

If a formal complaint is lodged, the violator could be charged in a court under Selangor Shariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995 and can be fined upto RM3,000 (about 35,000 rupees) or face two years' in jail or both.

The list of terms not to be used by non-Muslims include Allah, Firman Allah (Allah's decree), solat (daily prayers), Rasul (prophet), mubaligh (missionary), mufti, iman (faith), Kaabah (the Holy cubicle), Qiblat (direction in which the Muslims pray), and Haji (Muslims who have done his pilgrimage), Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director Mohammed Khusrin Munawi said.

"These are listed under the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religious Enactment. They cannot be used to promote religions other than Islam," he noted...."
--------------------------
Read more: Malaysia: Even more more churches firebombed over use of "Allah"

Churches of the Middle East: witnesses of Jesus in a world with more shadows than lights

The working document of the Synod for the Middle East outlines the situation of Christians in the region and their future prospects. Life in Muslim countries as non-citizens, and while political Islam is growing. The need for ecumenical dialogue. The difficulties of Christians living in Arab countries and relations with the Jewish world.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Minorities in countries that do not understand, and do not accept religious freedom, divided therein, by a "wavering and perplexed" faith, Christians in the Middle East must rediscover their role as "witnesses" of Jesus, by promoting dialogue between Jews and Muslims, respect for human rights and peace, that are vital for the region. They must also abandon the temptations of " self-preoccupation and fear of others”. This is the future perspective outlined in the working document, the "Lineamenta", for the Special Synod for the Middle East, which will be held 10 to 24 October 2010, presented today at the Vatican.

The 28 page document - entitled "The Catholic Church in the Middle East: communion and witness," was drafted by a pre-synodale council composed by seven patriarchs, two presidents of Episcopal conferences and four department heads of the Roman Curia. It is an analysis, point by point, of the reality in which Christians in the region live and the prospects for their continued presence. Each chapter ends with a series of questions put forward for the reflection of the "synod fathers".

The political and social framework that is outlined has decidedly more shadows than lights. "The Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories makes everyday life, freedom of movement, economic and religious life difficult"; "the war in Iraq has unleashed forces of evil" and "Christians are among the main victims of the Iraqi community because they are the smallest and weakest", in Lebanon, “Christians are deeply divided along political and confessional lines, and nobody has a project that may be accepted by all", in Egypt,"the growth of political Islam on the one hand and disengagement of the Christians in civil society expose them to intolerance, inequality and injustice ", in Turkey, "the current concept of secularism continues to pose problems for the religious freedom of the country".

All this in a general framework that on the one hand sees the growth of political Islam and on the other the disinterest of world. The first, in a region where the majority is largely Muslim, "sees the cause of all evils in the distancing of Islam". "The solution, therefore, is a return of the origins of Islam". "To do that some do not hesitate to resort to violence." "These extremist currents are a threat to everyone, Christians and Muslims, and we must face them together." As for the second, "the game of international politics, often ignores the existence of Christians".

Further aggravating the picture is the fact that "too often our countries identify the West with Christianity," for which "the political choices of Western states are ascribed to the Christian faith". "This confusion, which is explained by the fact that the Muslim world does not distinguish easily between politics and religion, greatly harms the churches of the region" and "puts Christians in the delicate situation of non-citizens." The confusion between politics and religion also leads to the prohibition by the state legal systems of the conversion to a religion other than Islam. "Religious freedom and that of conscience, are unknown in the Muslim mentality”. “In Islam there is no secularism, except Turkey; Islam is, in general, the state religion, the main source of legislation, inspired by Sharia”.

As for the other great faith in the region, "Given the political situation of conflict between the Palestinians and the Arab world on the one hand and the State of Israel on the other, dialogue is poorly developed in the churches of the region. Relations with Judaism are the of prerogative of the Churches of Jerusalem". However, there are "many associations of Jewish-Christian dialogue." On the theological level is appropriate to explain to our faithful the religious bonds between Judaism and Christianity, based on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, to avoid the political ideologies that undermine that relationship". As for the political issue proper, "it is up to us, as Christians, to encourage all peaceful means which could lead to peace through justice."

This is the "outside" reality in which the churches live, all the many churches (the Catholic churches alone are seven) in the region. One of the first issues, then, is coexistence and cooperation among Christians. "Relations are generally good and friendly" even if there are "some difficulties" of a pastoral nature, like the claim of some churches that in case of mixed marriage insist on baptising the Catholic partner again or "insurmountable difficulties" that oppose the unification of dates for the celebration of Christmas and Easter or the "difficult relationships" in the Holy Places. Nevertheless, "The ecumenical dimension is fundamental if the Christian witness is to be genuine and credible."

Witness is the answer proposed by the "Lineamenta". It calls for "a personal conversion of Christians, starting with the pastors, through a return to the spirit of the Gospel." The Churches of the Middle East "are active: there are numerous projects, many movements of young people, many educational institutions and charities, etc.. Sometimes these activities are professionally effective, but they are not always a witness. "

In conclusion, "our current situation and rather reduced presence is a consequence of history. But we, with our behavior, can improve our present and even our future. On the one hand, the global policies are a factor that will affect our decision to remain in our country or to emigrate. One the other, the acceptance of our vocation as Christians in and for our society will be a major factor of our presence and witness in our countries. " (FP)

Pope's Visit to Jewish Synagogue in Rome

Catholics-Jewish Strenghtened Relationship

Nigeria: Muslims Light Church on Fire With Worshippers in it!

(Photo Credit: radionewjerusalem) (Article Source: Loganswarning)
(Blessed are you when they persecute you because of me,for great is your reward in heaven!)

"The recent list of Churches under attack by Muslims is as follows. Algeria, Egypt, and Malaysia. Today we unfortunately get to add Nigeria to the list. This will only get worse, as Islam is a religion of war.

Angry Muslim youths set fire to a church filled with worshipers, starting a riot that killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 300 in Jos, in northern Nigeria, officials said Monday. Sani Mudi, a spokesman for the local imam, said 22 people died in fighting between Christians and Muslims after rioters set fire to a Catholic church on Sunday. Five others died Monday from their wounds. More than 300 people were killed in inter-religious violence in Jos in 2008. "

[Thanks to AtlasShrugs2000 for the link]

The TRUE CHURCH is Irrevocably Committed to Ecumenism

The Catholic Church through the leadership of the Successor of St. Peter, Benedict XVI has reiterated the Church's commitment to unite all Christians.

Benedict XVI: The Church is irrevocably committed ecumenism [Source: H2onews.org]

“The Second Vatican Council committed the Catholic Church irrevocably to following the path of the ecumenical venture.” This is what Benedict XVI said during his encounter with the Ecumenical Delegation of the Lutheran Church of Finland that is currently visiting Rome. The Pope said he was pleased with the commemoration the 25th anniversary of their traditional visit to Rome for the celebration of the Feast of St. Henrik.

In regard to relations between Lutherans and Catholics, Benedict XVI praised the recent work of the Nordic Lutheran-Catholic dialogue on questions deriving from the “Joint Declaration” and expressed the hope that this dialogue “will contribute positively to the path which leads to the restoration of our lost unity.” The unity of Christians, the Pope noted, is in fact the duty of all Christians so as to carry out the path that Christ indicated to humanity and the Church.

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Visit Pope2U for a regular update on the Pope.

Ventilacion: Felix Manalo is the Head of the Church (Iglesia ni Cristo®)

Thanks to Bro. Cenon Bibe of Tumbukin Natin

From Tumbukin Natin: "There is only one flock. There is one church. There is only one shepherd. That shepherd is Bro. Felix Manalo, not Jesus Christ." - Jose Ventilacion (INC® Minister)

Comment from a username Grade 1 in Tubukin Natin: TUMPAK! YOU HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON ITS HEAD!

[Transcript from the Video]: - "...that is why, that is why, We cannot accept," We cannot accept", that the Catholic Church is the true Church, they are the fulfillment of the apostosized Church. We beleive then that when" Christ said "I shall have other sheep! there shall be one flock,"thats one Church", there will be one sheperd," THAT SHEPERD IS BRO FELIX MANALO","NOT JESUS CHRIST" because Christ said "There Will be", that is in the FUTURE. [Jose Ventilacion]

Hindi na raw kay Kristo ang pastol kundi kay Bro Felix MAnalo raw? dahil daw si Kristo mismo ang nagsabi na "There Will be" ang pakahulugan daw ay future.. ( correct me if Im wrong..)

Ibig sabihin Hindi na kay Kristo ang kawan kundi kay Bro Felix Manalo na? HA???

Inagaw na ni Felix Manalo ang tupa ni JESUS???"

Where is the "True Church of Christ" for Haiti?

(Photo Credit: CNN and lists of Charity Institutions in the USA for Haiti)

While non-believers like pagans, agnostics, atheists and churches belonging to the “Devil” (according to Felix Manalo) such as the Catholic Church (founded by Christ) and the Protestants; political rightists, leftists, extremists, terrorists, jihadists; non-Christians like Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Red Cross, Red Crescent-- all united for earthquake victims in Haiti, the “TRUE church” Iglesia ni Cristo®” has failed to flex it’s mission to help those who are deeply in need according to the Gospel values they preached on TV.

The Iglesia ni Cristo® Corporation in the Philippines, which claims to be the “restoration” of the “true” church of Christ after it apostatized (unspecified in history), through its direct heir to the throne, Eduardo V. Manalo (grandson of the billionaire founder Felix Manalo) issued no directives to rally its members to raise money for the victims-- not even a letter of sympathy.

Common sense would dictate that a TRUE Church should worry about helping and saving poor and suffering souls while the FAKES would worry about its adherents, its registered name, and its monies.

"Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday urged a generous response to the "tragic situation" in Haiti where hundreds are feared dead following a massive earthquake.

The pope lamented Haiti's "tragic situation (involving) huge loss of human life, a great number of homeless and missing and considerable material damage."

"I appeal to the generosity of all to ensure our concrete solidarity and the effective support of the international community for these brothers and sisters who are living a time of need and suffering," the pontiff said at the end of his weekly general audience. - AFP"

CRS raised its funding commitment fivefold to $25 million and is pouring supplies into Haiti's capital of Port au Prince in the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake.

Iglesia ni Cristo Donation for Haiti is ZERO

Catholic Donation for Haiti is generously mounting to thousands and is still counting...

To send your donations, please Help CARITAS INTERNATIONAL for Haiti!

Taylor Marshall's The Crucified Rabbi now in Google

Taylor Marshall - "I came to believe that the Church is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the People of God. In the Old Testament, the People of Israel were not free to create a “new Israel” or to form a new denomination of “Protestant Israelites.” No matter how corrupt the priests, the high priests, and the kings of Judah became, the covenant of God remained in effect. As I reflected on this, I perceived that the Protestant Reformation rejected the scriptural belief in a united, visible Church—a nation taken for granted in the Book of Acts and the epistles of Saint Paul.

My wife and I entered into full communion with the Catholic Church on may 23, 2006, along with our four children. I became a Catholic Christian because I realized that the Catholic Church alone could trace her doctrine, liturgy, customs, and morality back to those Jewish beginnings when a rabbi named Jesus roamed the Holy Land with a band of Jewish disciples. As a Catholic Christian, I am linked not only to the early Church, but also to the ancient tradition of the Old Testament. I can now say with the Apostle Paul (who was a Rabbi Saul): I share the faith of Abraham, for he is the father of us all. – Romans 4:16" Read more Taylor Marshall's The Crucified Rabbi