"The Christianity of history is not Protestantism. If ever there were a safe truth it is this, and Protestantism has ever felt it so; to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant." (-John Henry Newman, An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine).

"Where the bishop is, there let the people gather; just as where ever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church". -St. Ignatius of Antioch (ca 110 AD)a martyr later thrown to the lions, wrote to a church in Asia Minor. Antioch was also where the term "Christian" was first used.

“But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

"This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic." -CCC 811

Monday, August 31, 2015

Statement from the Bishops of the Catholic Church in the Philippines - the True Church of Christ - in response to the Iglesia Ni Cristo® lawless mob rule trying to intimidate the Department of Justice for investigating alleged kidnappings and torture of its expulsed ministers

Unlike the Iglesia Ni Cristo®'s leaders, the Catholic Church in the Philippines which is the TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST (ang tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo)  is the moral guide to the entire nation, bringing hope, peace and love whenever it's being challenged.  Similarly, we Catholics aren't blind followers. We use our God-given wisdom to weigh what's morally right from wrong. We do not support violence in any way. We may criticize the on-going INC™ lawless (and some violent) mob rally but we do not hate. We are challenging the INC™ admin to let JUSTICE prevail to those former INC™ Ministers being harassed, detained and some complained of torture. This is WHERE the DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE is MORE CONCERN than your man-made, almost very unchristian behavior.  -CD2000
 
CBCP Statement for the CATHOLIC RESPONSE TO THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO RALLIES


Sons and Daughters of the Church, Citizens of the Republic

Catholic Response To The Iglesia Ni Cristo Rallies

What do we Catholics do as our brothers and sisters of the Iglesia ni Cristo throng around the EDSA Shaw area?

We, your bishops, offer you these guidelines:

1. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING for a peaceful and just resolution of the present dispute, in a manner both pleasing to God and in conformity with the democratic convictions enunciated in our Constitution.

2. BE CHARITABLE AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Jesus, the Lord, willed His disciples to be known by their love. No Catholic should fan the flames of dissension by rumor-mongering and by inflammatory statements. Let all be kind in disposition, respectful in speech and prudent in action.

3. SEEK ENLIGHTENMENT. We appeal to our Catholic lawyers, jurists and law professors to contribute to the on-going discourse in a constructive manner, without condemnation. We seek to be enlightened on what the fundamental law of the land provides, the boundaries of the freedom of religion and the rights and the prerogatives of State.

4. RESPECT HOLY SITES. The EDSA Shrine is a Catholic center of worship. It is a church. There is a Catholic priest assigned to it. We ask that all respect the sacred character of the Edsa Shrine.

5. ABIDE BY THE LAW. Unless it is convincingly shown that a law offends moral precepts, obedience to the law is a Christian duty. Sons and daughters of the Church cannot be less observant of the law than other citizens of the Republic.

6. NO TO OPPORTUNISM. No politician should gain political ground by abetting dissension or, worse, fostering disregard of the Constitution and the law. Neither is it morally correct for any political party to aim at gaining an advantage by controlling a religious sect known to propose to its members a chosen set of candidates.

If we turn to the Lord in sincere prayer, then, we are firm in the faith that all wounds shall be healed.

From the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, August 30, 2015
+ SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan
President, CBCP

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