British Party Leaders Bash Pope Benedict in Televised Debate

By Hilary White

April 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a televised debate last week, all three leaders of the major British political parties accused Pope Benedict XVI of failing sufficiently to recognize and deal with the sex abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.

With Britain’s next general election looming and the country gearing up for an official papal visit, the televised debate featured the leaders of Britain’s political class scolding Pope Benedict for upholding Catholic teaching on homosexuality, contraception and abortion, and for what was alleged to be his inaction on the sexual abuse of minors by priests.

The three leaders were responding to a question from an audience member, Michael Jeans, who asked, “If you win the election, will you disassociate your party from the pope’s protection over many years of Catholic priests who were ultimately tried and convicted of child abuse, and from his fierce opposition to all contraception, embryonic stem cell research, treatment for childless couples, gay equality and the routine use of condoms when HIV is at an all-time high?”

In their responses, none of the party leaders challenged the questioner’s presumption that Pope Benedict has been guilty of mishandling the sex abuse scandal. Instead, each answered in a way that implied that neither the pope nor the Catholic Church has in any way responded to it.

David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative party that is likely to form the next government, said, “I think the Catholic Church has got some very, very serious work to do to unearth and come to terms with some of the appalling things that have happened, and they need to do that.”

He added that he does not agree with the Catholic Church on contraception or homosexuality. “A country where faith is welcome, yes, a visit from the Pope, yes, but does that mean we have to agree with everything he says? No.”

Nick Clegg, head of the rising Liberal Democrat party, whose wife is a Catholic, said he knows about the “immense feelings of anguish” Catholics are experiencing.

“I think they do want to see the Catholic Church express greater openness and repentance. You can't keep a lid on sin, and of course you need to move with the times,” he said.

“I do welcome the pope's visit,” Clegg added, “but I hope by the time he does visit, there is a greater recognition that there has been terrible, terrible suffering, there have been abusive relationships which have left immeasurable scars on individual people's lives and we need a process of openness and then healing. You can't undo the tragedies of the past, but you can be open about them so people can start to move on.”

The prime minister and head of the Labour Party, Gordon Brown, said, “[T]he church has got to deal with these problems, and it's got to make sure that there is an open and clean confession about what has happened, and that we help those people who have been put into difficulty by this abuse.”

Brown added, “Secondly, we must break down the barriers of religion that exist in our world. The faiths must come together and recognize they have common values and common interests.”

None of the leaders mentioned the apologies for the sexual abuse scandals already repeatedly offered by Pope Benedict during his visit to the U.S., in his letter to the Irish people and most recently during his recent visit to Malta.

The debate moderator, Adam Boulton, moved on to ask for the leaders’ responses to concerns about the Church and “science and gender” issues.

Cameron told Michael Jeans, “I would be agreeing with you, and against the pope in terms of, for instance, the need to make advances in... er... in science.” Cameron added that he disagrees with the pope on abortion, but said that this disagreement should not prevent the papal visit.

“We must try and build an open and tolerant country where we respect people for their different faiths, we bring faiths closer together with each other and we are prepared to have an open and frank discussion about these things.”

Clegg said that on these matters there is cross-party agreement: “I’ve made it publicly clear in the past, that I don't agree with the formal doctrine on homosexuality of the Catholic Church.”

Brown also expressed his agreement with his political opponents, adding, “I think we know that in Africa, we know round the world, that it is important to give women access and choice so that they can make their own decisions, and I regret the fact that the Catholic Church does not do that.”

Last week’s leadership debate was quickly followed by a revelation that junior Foreign Office officials had circulated a memo which suggested that Pope Benedict be invited to officially open an abortion facility and preside over a “gay marriage” ceremony during his visit to the U.K. The document was hastily withdrawn and official apologies were offered to Vatican officials and to Catholics, but critics said it was indicative of a deep hostility towards Christianity and religious belief among Britain’s political class.

John Smeaton, director of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said the comments from the recent debate are an indication of the moral corruption that is rife to the highest levels of British society. Citing the 1968 encyclical by Pope Paul VI condemning modern methods of artificial contraception, Smeaton wrote, “Britain is witnessing the fulfillment of the prophetic message of Humanae Vitae…[Pope Paul] warned about ‘public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law’.”

Writing on the Foreign Office memo, Spectator and Daily Mail columnist Melanie Philips, who is Jewish, said such attitudes as were found in the memo are simply part of the new “orthodoxy” among the ruling elites.

“It shows how flippancy and shallowness coexist with a brutalised arrogance. Among those who purport to be the most liberal, educated and enlightened, minds are actually closed and display a vicious illiberalism and gross absence of respect for other points of view, particularly mainstream European religious faiths.”

Smeaton added that “it is clear that Pope Benedict is being defamed by opponents of the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person.”

In the light of the comments from the leaders of each party, SPUC is asking British voters to bypass their traditional party loyalties. “The unanimity of the three party leaders makes it all the more important that voters base their choice on how their local candidates promise to vote if elected to parliament,” Smeaton said.

“Whichever party forms the next government, the defence of human life in parliament will rely on individual MPs voting pro-life and resisting pressure from party managers.”

To contact SPUC for candidate information:

3 Whitacre Mews, Stannary Street
London, SE11 4AB, United Kingdom
Phone: (020) 7091 7091
Fax: (020) 7820 3131
Email: information@spuc.org.uk

Read related LSN coverage:
Sex Abuse Victims in Malta 'Impressed' and 'At Peace' After Meeting Pope
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10041910.html

Benedict “Has Done More than Any other Pope or Bishop” to Confront Sex Abuse
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10033013.html

Media Attacks Mounting against Pope over Irish Abuse Letter
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10032209.html

Revealed, the papal visit chief who wrote memo mocking Pope

(Source: DailyMail): Hands in his pockets in a casual pose, this is the Foreign Office diplomat who wrote the memo mocking the Pope.

Anjoum Noorani, British Diplomat
who mocked the Pope

Anjoum Noorani was in charge of a team who came up with 'seriously offensive' proposals for Benedict XVI to open an abortion clinic and launch a brand of his own condoms.

He presided over the disastrous 'brainstorming' meeting at which he and other Whitehall officials cooked up the outlandish list of things the Pope could do when he visits Britain in September.

The extraordinary memo was written on March 5 and leaked last week, triggering a diplomatic storm and Vatican fury at 'dark forces' within the Government.

Mr Noorani, 31, is far more senior than the Foreign Office has made out. Officials desperate to limit the damage have tried to play down his role, insisting he was merely a junior worker who acted without any authority.

But in fact Mr Noorani's title is 'Head of Papal Visit Team' and he is in charge of the staff preparing for the visit.

Until 2007, he was the press secretary at the British embassy in Moscow, trusted to handle delicate relations during the crisis over the poisoning of dissident Alexanda Litvinenko.

None of the Foreign Office's Pope memo team is understood to be Catholic, according to senior sources within the Church.

They have privately expressed dismay that they were having to arrange the papal visit with officials who 'seem to know next to nothing about Catholicism'.

Mr Noorani is understood to be British Pakistani - but colleagues say he is not a Muslim.

The Church source said: 'It was obvious that none of them were much in tune with Catholic sensibilities, and that was disappointing.'

Another Church insider who met Mr Noorani when he was in Rome on a reconnaissance trip, claimed: 'He struck me as being ineffectual and quite useless. He just shuffled about and made no contribution at all.'

Instead of drawing up sensible plans for the papal trip, Mr Noorani's team ridiculed the Pope by putting forward an 'ideal visit' itinerary which included blessing a gay marriage and singing a duet with the Queen.

Vatican aides are particularly outraged the Foreign Office does not consider the memo serious enough to warrant anyone being sacked. Only Mr Noorani was disciplined and moved to 'other duties'.

Mr Noorani attended Windsor Boys' School, a comprehensive in Berkshire, and then Oxford University, graduating from Balliol College in 2000.

His Pope memo was emailed to Downing Street and three Whitehall departments by junior colleague Steven Mulvain, a 23-year-old Oxford graduate with wild spiky hair who once listed 'drinking a lot' as a hobby.

He posted a picture of himself on the internet unshaven and wearing a Chelsea football shirt.

Steven Mulvain who posted the mockings of Mr. Noorani

Mr Mulvain escaped punishment because he had been given authorisation to send the memo, which had a covering letter in which he warned recipients the contents 'should not be shared externally' because they included 'even the most far-fetched of ideas'.

Mr Mulvain, who also attended Balliol, graduating in 2008, was remembered by former students as a 'prankster' who drank with a small clique of friends and 'enjoyed being in the limelight'.

Yesterday his father Kevin Mulvain, speaking at the family's home in South Shields, said: 'He's still in London. He won't be saying anything. He's keeping his head down and hoping that this whole storm just blows over.'

The Foreign Office insists none of the offensive ideas came from Mr Mulvain himself, and that he was a mere admin assistant.

An FO source said: 'This was three or four people having a 'brainstorming' session - where their brains stormed out.

'As soon as it came to the attention of more senior officials it was withdrawn and the person in charge was disciplined.'

Yesterday, although officials in Rome were trying to draw a line under the affair, privately there was still astonishment the visit had been handled with such insensitivity by Foreign Office employees.

Some fear the 83-year-old leader of the world's one billion Catholics is regarded in certain Whitehall quarters as no more than a figure of fun.

Last night a senior Roman Catholic source said: 'It does make you wonder what the Foreign Office is thinking, putting such young and inexperienced staff on the papal visit team.'

Last night Mr Noorani could not be reached. His mother in Windsor refused to comment, and the Foreign Office said it had nothing to say.

It has described the memo as 'a foolish document that does not in any way reflect UK Government or Foreign Office policy or views'.

Read more: Daily Mail UK

NEW EDITION OF THE STATISTICAL YEARBOOK OF THE CHURCH

VATICAN CITY, 27 APR 2010 (VIS) - The Vatican Publishing House has recently released a new edition of the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, comprising information on the main aspects of Catholic Church activity in various countries for the period 2000-2008.

Over these nine years, the Catholic presence in the world has grown from 1,045 million in 2000 to 1,166 million in 2008, an increase of 11.54 percent. Considering the statistics in detail, numbers in Africa grew by 33 percent, in Europe they remained generally stable (an increase of 1.17 percent), while in Asia they increased by 15.61 percent, in Oceania by 11.39 percent and in America by 10.93 percent. As a percentage of the total population, European Catholics represented 26.8 percent in 2000 and 24.31 percent in 2008. In America and Oceania they have remained stable, and increased slightly in Asia.

The number of bishops in the world went up from 4541 in 2000 to 5002 in 2008, an increase of 10.15 percent.

The number of priests also increased slightly over this nine-year period, passing from 405,178 in 2000 to 409,166 in 2008, an overall rise of 0.98 percent. In Africa and Asia their numbers increased (respectively, by 33.1 percent and 23.8 percent), in the Americas they remained stable, while they fell by 7 percent in Europe and 4 percent in Oceania.

The number of diocesan priests increased by 3.1 percent, going from 265,781 in 2000 to 274,007 in 2008. By contrast, the number of regular priests showed a constant decline, down by 3.04 percent to 135,159 in 2008. Of the continents, only Europe showed a clear reduction in priests: in 2000 they represented 51 percent of the world total, in 2008 just 47 percent. On the other hand, Asia and Africa together represented 17.5 percent of the world total in 2000 and 21.9 percent in 2008. The Americas slightly increased its percentage to around 30 percent of the total.

Non-ordained religious numbered 55.057 in the year 2000 and 54,641 in 2008. Comparing this data by continent, Europe showed a strong decline (down by 16.57 percent), as did Oceania (22.06 percent), the Americas remained stable, while Asia and Africa grew (respectively, by 32 percent and 10.47 percent).

Female religious are almost double the number of priests, and 14 times that of non-ordained male religious, but their numbers are falling, from 800,000 in 2000 to 740,000 in 2008. As for their geographical distribution, 41 percent reside in Europe, 27.47 percent in America, 21.77 percent in Asia and 1.28 percent in Oceania. The number of female religious has increased in the most dynamic continents: Africa (up by 21 percent) and Asia (up by 16 percent).

The Statistical Yearbook of the Church also includes information on the number of students of philosophy and theology in diocesan and religious seminaries. In global terms, their numbers increased from 110.583 in 2000 to more than 117.024 in 2008. In Africa and Asia their numbers went up, whereas Europe saw a reduction.

Gregorian music led me to Christ, says Gaurav

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Towering at 6 ft 3 in (191 cm), Gaurav literally looks down on people. This young Gujarati convert was captivated by Christian music of the Renaissance era, and choral music awakened in him a quest for beauty.

Gregorian Chant CD of the Monks of Sto. Domingo de Silos

Gaurav Shroff was born on 30 December 1972 at Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi (“I joke with my parents that ‘Holy Family’ should have been a clue to my future!”). His early childhood was spent in Bethesda, MD (a suburb of Washington DC), when his father was working for the World Bank. The family returned to India when he was around 6 years old, and he attended St Xavier’s Loyola Hall, a school in Ahmedabad where he joined the school choir. His only knowledge of Christians was that they did not speak Gujarati or Hindi fluently and that they buried the dead, something that intrigued him.

Describing his own religious upbringing, Gaurav said, “My father worked at the World Bank and later was the editor of the Economic Times. My mother was the first woman district collector of Gujarat. While there was an emphasis was on traditional Indian values, they espoused secular humanist ideals and values. However, it was from my grandmother that I learned the ancient stories of the Hindu religion—the epics of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita.”

“It was aesthetics,” Gaurav said. “The beauty of sacred music held me spellbound at my first ever experience of the Eucharist at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai on 15 August, Indian Independence Day and the Feast of the Assumption. The sublime music of the Mass undoubtedly assured me of God's presence; the Gregorian chants elevated my spirits, creating in me a sense of awe for the Sacred. I was instinctively drawn by the aesthetic beauty of the Eucharist and this experience filled my heart with immense joy.”

This young man, an idealistic, Westernized 18-year-old upper caste Hindu, who was trained in Hindustani classical music, began studying Church history, in an attempt to understand “what could have inspired the genius of great musicians to compose some of the greatest classical works in honour of the Divine and place their art at the service of the liturgy.”

Gaurav spent hours poring over books at St Xavier’s Library, teaching himself Latin from the pre-Vatican II Missals to learn and understand the Latin Gregorian chants: the Credo, the Gloria, the other parts of the Mass.

So fascinated was he by the sacred music of the Eucharist, that he attended Midnight Mass the same year at Holy Name Cathedral, accompanied by his father. As he became increasingly interested in the solemn liturgies, his friends invited him to the Easter Triduum the following year, with the simple directive not to receive Holy Communion.

Therefore, in 1991, Gaurav went for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Holy Name Cathedral. “Nothing had prepared me for the ‘Washing of the Feet’. I watched with amazement as Archbishop Simon Pimenta disrobed and knelt down, washing the feet of 12 men. I had never witnessed such humility in a spiritual leader.” He began reflecting on the nature of these priests, this servant leadership, which was an alien concept.

At the Good Friday service, since his friends had only barred him from communion, he went for the Veneration of the Cross. “As I knelt down and kissed the Cross, I vividly remember the clear voice in my heart saying to me: ‘I died for you,’ and I began to weep unashamedly, and though I did not understand what it meant, I was certain, that the Crucified Christ loved me. Then it wasn’t about music anymore, I wanted to learn more about this Jesus. Either Jesus was completely crazy or he was God.”

He began reading everything about the Catholic faith, the Bible and regularly went for Sunday Mass. In 1993, Gaurav went to a Jesuit retreat praying alone at night before the Blessed Sacrament. “I strongly felt the presence of the Divine, the deep love of God for me, and in the darkness, I was illuminated: My life belonged to Jesus, to know him, to love him and to serve him. This was my mission and vocation. I felt called to be a priest.”

“I also had a very serious talk with my family about my decision to become Catholic and be baptised. ‘As long as you do not sever family ties and do not go aggressively proselytizing, you have our Blessings!’ was my father’s response.”

On August 15 1994, the Feast of the Assumption, Gaurav was baptised at St Peter’s Church, Bandra, surrounded by 20 friends, Hindus, Catholics, and Muslims.

Two weeks after his baptism, Gaurav arrived in the United States into an intellectual climate that bred suspicion of the Catholic Church. “God was always faithful, and under the protection of His Blessed Mother, I persevered in the Faith.”

“The next four years of my life were the time that God allowed me to see my reality; but even in crises, the calling to the priesthood hauntingly persisted. So, in order to attempt to discern God’s plan in my life, in 1998, I started a second Masters in Religious Studies, also at the University of South Carolina, and received an MA in Religious Studies, with a concentration in New Testament, in 2001.”

That same year, he started work full time at the St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center at the University of South Carolina as the Associate Campus Minister, where he was responsible for the faith formation of the small University parish. His zeal for evangelisation led him in 2006 to the novitiate of the Paulist Fathers (an American religious order), which took him to Washington, DC.

“In 2006, my father was diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. I always had a close relationship with him, and this was devastating. This was just before I entered the novitiate, and I got to spend a few months with him before I left for Washington. God's generosity knows no bounds and I was able to be in India for the last two weeks of his life.”

In 2007, he discerned that God was calling him to the diocesan priesthood and so he moved back to the South, and applied to the Archdiocese of Atlanta. After some pastoral work in the diocese, he was sent to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 2008.

Currently, he is finishing the first of four years of Theological Studies at the seminary, and “God willing, I will be ordained to the diaconate in 2012 and the priesthood in 2013, for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.”

“The intervention of God at the foot of the cross in 1991 changed the course of my life forever. Evangelisation and the vocation of the laity will be the central passion of my ministry as a diocesan priest. I see my future role as someone who leads, sanctifies, teaches the laity, not as passive recipients”, I shall be “someone who calls out their gifts, talents, charisms, so that the Christ's lay faithful can be equipped to bring the Gospel to the world, and share in the Church's mission.”

“I hope, through my calling, to proclaim the Love of Christ Crucified to the people and to bring our people to connect with Jesus Christ, to get to know Him in a deep, intimate relationship,” for “he is the source of all love and happiness.”

Abuse victim in Malta: Pope Benedict XVI is a 'saint'

(Source: EWTN/CNA) Vatican analyst Andrea Tornielli spoke with Joseph Magro, 38, one of eight victims of clerical abuse who met with Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit to Malta. Magro said the meeting “was truly a most beautiful gift, after all this suffering, we all cried, even the Pope.”

In the interview published by the Italian daily Il Giornale, Magro, who proudly showed the rosary he was given by the Holy Father in Malta, shared details about his meeting with the Pope.

“I did not have any faith in priests. Now, after this moving experience, I have hope again. You people in Italy have a saint. Do you realize that? You have a saint,” he said, referring to Pope Benedict XVI.

Later, explaining his discussion with the Holy Father, Magro said, “When I told him my name was Joseph, the Pope’s eyes grew wide and he said, ‘Joseph, like me!’ Then I asked him: ‘Why did the priest do this to me, why did he abuse me?’ He replied that he prays for me and we then prayed together.”

Magro said he could see that the Pope “felt great sorrow. I could see he was suffering with me. I didn’t want to make him suffer, I didn’t tell him about the abuse that I suffered, but he wept with me, even though he had no fault in what happened.”

After admitting that he did not expect to have this emotional encounter with the Holy Father, Magro said, “This was a great gift for me, to be welcomed in this way and to be listened to by him. I heard his speech at the airport, on Saturday afternoon. He did not say anything about the problem of abuse. But this morning (Sunday, April 18), at 9:00 a.m., I received a call: I was to go to the bishop’s house because I was going to see the Pope.”

“I finally have a little bit of peace thanks to this encounter. He gave me a rosary which I now wear around my neck,” Magro said.

Limited Philippine Postal Stamp for an Anti-Catholic

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the soon to be counted among the top ranking most disgusting ex-Presidents of the Philippines again has courted the Iglesia ni Cristo® cult believing that their power could save her political party members in the up-coming Presidential election this coming May) by honoring one of the fierciest anti-Catholic (anti-Christ) preacher in the Philippines.

One of the most unique doctrines of the Iglesia ni Cristo® is the bloc voting or so called “doctrine of unity”. According to the billionaire heir to the throne "BLOC VOTING is a manifestation of religious unity that is essential to spiritual salvation" (Source: Wikipedia)

Among those Philippine Presidents they claimed to have won because of their “bloc-voting” was Ferdinand Marcos, Joseph Estrada and now Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo –who happened to be the most sickening leaders the country has ever had in its 111 year history.

Due to his solid support of the anti-life House Bill 5043, the management of the Iglesia ni Cristo® has been rumored to support Noynoy Aquino (the only son of the saintly Cory Aquino and heroic father Ninoy) by their bloc voting—could it be a bad omen for the Aquino family? Let’s hope and pray that curse ended in GMA’s presidency and spare Noynoy of its foreseen bad forecast.

The Iglesia ni Cristo is a cult founded by Felix Ysagun Manalo, an ex-Catholic, turned anti-Catholic he inherited from the SDA where he once was a preacher. His parents remained faithful to Christ’s Church until their souls until their death. In July 27, 1914, Felix Manalo incorporated (registered) his church under the Republic of the Philippines and thus making him the official founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo®.

After his death, one of his sons, Eraño Guzman Manalo inherited his father’s company and enjoyed lavishly the immense richness his father has accumulated for 49 years being the CEO of the Iglesia ni Cristo®.

His death in August 29, 2009 caused many of his cult members to grieve. His mortal remains were elevated right within its sanctuary which is supposed to be the sacred place in every house for worships.

Though they denied, but Iglesia ni Cristo® members (or the Iglesia—as they call themselvaes), glorified the Manalo’s beginning from Felix Y. Manalo as an angel, “last messenger” of God, so must his son, Eraño and the present reigning heir to the throne Eduardo V. Manalo. A bronze statue of Felix Manalo was erected in their Central office while his son Eraño G. Manalo was praised by politicians. These are the Trinity gods of the Iglesia ni Cristo® while they detest Christ of any divinity and kept him to the ranks of a mere man.

Striving for Iglesia ni Cristo’s “basbas” Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the dying Philippine Postal Services to print 100,000 pieces of limited edition of stamps which according to those politicians who benefited from the cult said this gesture is a tribute “honoring his greatness and nobility”. The limited edition of the stamp began its circulation last April 23. The last quarter of last year, the local government of Quezon City renamed Central Avenue to Eraño Manalo Avenue. In July, 2009, Ms. Arroyo signed the Republic Act 9645, declared that July 27 of every year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" making it an official national working holiday a bill authored by House of Representatives Annie Rosa L. Susano, Second District of Quezon City, Philippines.

The anti-Christ and anti-Catholic has been given honor by thieves! And so he deserves that tribute!

Limited Postal Stamp bearing the name of INC® Eraño G. Manalo

Catholic Passion!

Can we be as passionate as this young Catholic?

Finding Peace and Calm In the Midst of Chaos

By Michelle Laque Johnson in EWTN

On Wednesday evening, Aug. 15, 2007, the central coast of Peru was hit by an earthquake measuring 8.0. During the three-minute quake, approximately 200 people, who had gathered for Mass at a local church to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, were killed. However, when the debris was removed and the bodies recovered, rescuers discovered that the Catholic priest who had been celebrating the Mass that night was alive!

“Shaking the Earth,” an original EWTN documentary, tells the story of the people’s unshakable faith and the Church’s Herculean work to assist the Peruvian people during the devastation that followed the quake – and it includes an interview with this “miracle” priest.

“The Church is the most trusted institution in Peru,” said EWTN’s Pablo Pilco, one of the producers of this powerhouse documentary. “The Church organized tents for the people to live in – and started rebuilding.”

EWTN sent a crew to Peru to film the effort. The one-hour program that resulted is a story of faith and triumph amidst widespread death and destruction; a story that makes you proud to be a Catholic.; a story you can only see on EWTN.

“The title of the documentary, “Shaking the Earth,” has a double meaning,” Pilco said. “On the one hand, it’s because of the earthquake. On the other hand, the people have these dances – kind of like a tap dance – and they use special drums made of boxwood. You have this double meaning because, no matter what happens, they are still “shaking,” still celebrating the fact that they are alive.”

Airs 10 p.m. ET, Wed., April 28 and 5 a.m. ET, Sat., May 1.

God bless you Family!

Our Debt to the Catholic Church

by Sebastian R. Fama

Source: Stay Catholic

Attacks on the Catholic Church have never been in short supply. The Church’s critics have been maligning her and predicting her demise for centuries. While those same critics fade off into history one by one, the Church continues on in her mission, sometimes shaken but never defeated.

Whenever scandals arise in the Church gleeful detractors try to portray the aberration as the norm. Starting with Judas, the Church has always had within its walls those who would betray Christ. However, to focus on such individuals while ignoring those who take their faith seriously is dishonest. Any faith should be judged by the actions of those who practice it, not by those who don’t.

To be sure, any scandal should be dealt with swiftly and decisively. Church leaders who fail in this regard betray the Church and do tremendous harm to the cause of Christ. Once there is knowledge of wrongdoing, action must be taken immediately. To do anything less makes one an accomplice.

When you consider all the facts, it is easy to see that the Catholic Church’s record is something to be admired. The miracles performed by Jesus give credence to His message. In like manner the Church’s tremendous contributions to Western Civilization give credence to its teachings.

Protestants would do well to note that God chose to give the Bible to mankind through the Catholic Church. After the fall of Rome it was the Catholic Church that preserved literacy and education. The barbarians who ruled after Rome had no interest in preserving education or any of the ancient literature. Monasteries produced thousands of books and preserved many others. Schools were established in cathedrals. These cathedral schools would become the first universities complete with degrees and accreditation. Many convents and monasteries established their own schools.

In answer to the Gospel’s call to care for the sick, the Church was the first to establish hospitals. Thomas E. Woods notes that by the fourth century, most large cities had Church sponsored hospitals. Even monasteries served as providers of medical care (How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization page 176).

From the beginning of its existence the Catholic Church has led the way in charitable giving. This of course is the natural result of Christ’s call to care for the less fortunate. In a column for the National Catholic Register Andrew McNair revealed some pretty interesting statistics. He writes in part:

Every year, more than 9.5 million Americans in need turn to one of 1,400 charitable organizations run by the Catholic Church.

The Church runs more than 600,000 soup kitchens and stocks more than 2 million food banks and pantries. The Church provides temporary shelter for children and families, battered women, senior citizens and others. At present, about 110,858 people depend on these shelters for help.

Catholic counselors and counseling agencies help close to 700,000 families, individuals and groups.… Catholic housing services help around 67,000 homeless find and keep a permanent place to live. And Catholic neighborhood-support services sponsor youth centers, summer camps, sports programs and senior citizens centers; at present, nearly 300,000 people are enrolled in these services. Close to 80,000 girls and women are being served by Catholic pregnancy services.

In the 12th century the Church began to develop its system of canon law. This would eventually provide the foundation for Western Law. Prior to this, law in medieval Europe consisted of custom and some statutory law. Western Law was based on rules of evidence and rational procedures. Later on in the 16th century, and in response to the mistreatment of natives in the New World (North America), Fr. Francisco de Vitoria established the basis for international law. This reflected the biblical teaching that all men are created equal (Galatians 3:28).

In Wisdom 11:20 we read: "But you [God] have disposed all things by measure and number and weight." In Job 38:33 God Himself says: "Do you know the ordinances of the heavens; can you put into effect their plan on the earth?" Anyone who studied the Scriptures couldn’t help but come to the conclusion that our God was a God of order. Now if God created the universe to operate according to rational laws, it seemed only natural that those laws could be understood and harnessed. Thus the study of science was born. Thomas E. Woods relates that "Roger Bacon, a Franciscan who taught at Oxford, was admired for his work in mathematics and optics, and is considered to be the forerunner of modern scientific method" (page 94).

The Jesuits contributed heavily to the study of science. In "The Jesuits: Missions, Myths and Histories" Jonathan Wright notes:

They had contributed to the development of pendulum clocks, pantographs, barometers, reflecting telescopes and microscopes, to scientific fields as various as magnetism, optics and electricity. They observed, in some cases before anyone else, the colored bands on Jupiter’s surface, the Andromeda nebula and Saturn’s rings. They theorized about the circulation of the blood (independently of Harvey), the theoretical possibility of flight, the way the moon affected the tides, and the wave-like nature of light.

...Read more HERE!

Pope Benedict in Malta

Pope Benedict XVI (CatholicTV)

Source: CatholicTV On Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, the CatholicTV Network will air Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit to the island of Malta to celebrate the anniversary of St. Paul’s shipwreck which happened there 1950 years ago. Coverage of the Pope’s visit to Malta will air at noon (Eastern) on both days.

The schedule for the Pope’s visit is as follows:

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Welcoming ceremony at the International Airport of Malta in Luqa

Visit to the President of the Republic at the Grand Masters' Palace of Valletta

Visit to the Cave of Saint Paul in Rabat (where St Paul prayed for three months in the grotto under the church, while trying to convert the Maltese to Christianity)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Holy Mass at the Floriana Granaries outside of St. Publius Church

Regina Caeli and lunch meeting with the Bishops of Malta

Meeting with the young people at the Great Port of Valletta

Farewell ceremony at the International Airport of Malta in Luqa

As of September of 2009, Pope Benedict has made twelve apostolic visits since becoming Pope in 2005. Highlights from his historic visit to the United States, the Holyland and World Youth Day 2008 are available here at Your Catholic Broadband Network.

Video: Alex Story

Visit Persecution Blog

Tim Staples Convertion to Catholicsm

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

Eucharistic Miracles, Jesus is Really Present

"Take, eat my body and drink my blood and be saved."(John 6:53-57)

I always believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. That's one reason why I have to fast at least an hour before taking the communion or to carefully examine myself if I am worthy enough to take Christ's Holy Body and Blood into my whole being.

Friends, if you are in doubt of Jesus' Real Presence, you might want to confirm your faith again by reading scientific facts on Eucharistic Miracles at The Real Presence.

Vatican Blog

Good news! Vatican has its own blog at http://www.visnews-en.blogspot.com so there's no reason for you not to be updated on what's the latest in the Vatican.

For those who are seriously considering to come home to Rome or those driven to the Catholic Church and wanted to Cross the Tiber, by all means you should not spare this blog in your list.

Why am I saying this? It's because we Catholics should know what's happening in the Vatican first-hand and not relying on second hand news circulating now in the media. What you read is what you get.

And if you wish to visit the official website of the Vatican State, you can always add www.vatican.va to your favorite sites and learn about the Vatican, the Pope, and the Catholic Church official pronouncements by the Pope.

Enjoy reading. God bless.

About 67 per cent of Israelis want peace with the Palestinians

The percentage could it be higher? I believe Palestinian and Israeli citizens mostly wanted peace. It's their own politicians who don't. I wish there's a similar survey on the other side of the wall who'd like to be at peace with Israel.. I pray Muslims around the world would give peace a chance.

Jerusalem City

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Two Israelis in three (67 per cent) are in favour of a peace agreement with the Palestinians, this according to a recent survey conducted by the Dahaf Institute on behalf of the the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, directed by Danny Abraham. In the meantime, the two sides are still fighting each. Two Palestinians died in a gunfight between Israeli soldiers and Islamic extremists in Gaza.

Released by Peace Now, the poll titled ‘Positions of the Israeli Public and the Political Leadership (MKs) Regarding a Possible Peace Agreement’ looked at various scenarios for peace based on principles similar the Ayalon-Nusseibeh agreement and the Geneva Initiative of two states for two peoples.

People were asked whether they agreed to a solution based on the following principles: a two-state solution (Israeli - Jewish State + Palestinian State); return of refugees to Palestine only; a demilitarised Palestinian state, the 1967 lines with an exchange of territory; Jerusalem with- Jewish neighbourhoods to be in Israel, Arab Neighbourhoods to be in Palestine; and finally the Old City under a joint management-sovereignty for both sides and the US.

About 67 per cent of Israelis (63 per cent of Israeli Jews) said they were in favour of such an agreement. Among people who voted for Likud and Lieberman in 2009, 50 per cent were in favour of the agreement. Voters of the ultraorthodox Shas party rejected the agreement by 55 to 42 per cent.

The main factor that led some to reject the agreement was lack of trust that the Palestinian side would live up to its obligations. A second factor, but on a much smaller level, was outright opposition to the principle of a Palestinian state. Opposition to sharing sovereignty over Jerusalem was even lower as a reason for opposing the proposed solution.

The survey also showed that members of the Knesset are much more rightwing then public opinion in general.

Former Mayor Ed Koch: Anti-Catholicism Evident in Media

Former NY Mayor Ed Koch (photo credit: Catholic Online)

JERUSALEM (Zenit.org / Catholic Online) - The Jewish former mayor of New York is affirming that "continuing attacks" by the media on the Church and Benedict XVI have become "manifestations of anti-Catholicism."

Edward "Ed" Koch, who also served as a U.S. Congressman from 1969 to 1977, stated this in a blog published online Thursday by The Jerusalem Post.

"The procession of articles on the same events are, in my opinion, no longer intended to inform, but simply to castigate," Koch asserted.

He acknowledged that the sexual molestation of children is "horrendous," noting that this is a point of agreement among "Catholics, the Church itself, as well as non-Catholics and the media."

On this point, the politician and political commentator said, the Pope has openly proclaimed his abhorrence for the crime and compassion for the victims.

Koch noted that "many of those in the media who are pounding on the Church and the pope today clearly do it with delight, and some with malice."

He continued: "The reason, I believe, for the constant assaults is that there are many in the media, and some Catholics as well as many in the public, who object to and are incensed by positions the Church holds, including opposition to all abortions, opposition to gay sex and same-sex marriage, retention of celibacy rules for priests, exclusion of women from the clergy, opposition to birth control measures involving condoms and prescription drugs and opposition to civil divorce.

Salad bar

"My good friend, Cardinal John O'Connor, once said, 'The Church is not a salad bar, from which to pick and choose what pleases you.'

"The Church has the right to demand fulfillment of all of its religious obligations by its parishioners, and indeed a right to espouse its beliefs generally."

The Jewish politician clarified that he personally does not agree with the Catholic position on these issues, but he added that the Church "has a right to hold these views in accordance with its religious beliefs."

He affirmed: "Orthodox Jews, like the Roman Catholic Church, can demand absolute obedience to religious rules. Those declining to adhere are free to leave."

Koch stated his belief that "the Roman Catholic Church is a force for good in the world, not evil."

As well, he said, "the existence of 1 billion, 130 million Catholics worldwide is important to the peace and prosperity of the planet."

"Of course, the media should report to the public any new facts bearing upon the issue of child molestation," Koch affirmed, "but its objectivity and credibility are damaged when the New York Times declines to publish an op-ed offered by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan on the issue of anti-Catholicism and offers instead to publish a letter to the editor, which is much shorter and less prominent than an op-ed."

Enough

He asserted, "I am appalled that, according to the Times of April 6, 2010, 'Last week, the center-left daily newspaper La Repubblica wrote, without attribution that certain Catholic circles believed the criticism of the Church stemmed from a New York Jewish lobby.'"

Koch clarified that if these "certain Catholic circles" were referring to the Times, it should be stated that the publisher, Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., is not Jewish, but rather Episcopalian, and its executive editor, Bill Keller, is also a Christian.

"Enough is enough," Koch said.

He continued: "Yes, terrible acts were committed by members of the Catholic clergy.

"The Church has paid billions to victims in the United States and will pay millions, perhaps billions, more to other such victims around the world.

"It is trying desperately to atone for its past by its admissions and changes in procedures for dealing with pedophile priests."

Koch concluded by quoting the words of Jesus, as recorded in John 8:7: "He [or she] that is without sin among you, let him [or her] cast the next stone."

Why They're Feasting on our Priests' mistakes?

Priestly Ordination

Have you ever prayed for your Parish Priest lately? I strongly suggest you should! They really need our prayers.

Perhaps, among the many neglected members of the Body of Christ -- the Church are our clergy and the religious. I mean in terms of spiritual nourishment, we carelessly assumed they're divinely armoured with spiritual velvet  immuned from temptations and are never prone to sin. We simply forget that they too are humans like us with real feelings and emotions. They too know how it feels when it hurts.

The Pontificate of our present Servant Shepherd (Jn. 21:17) Pope Benedict XVI was devastated by reports on clerical abuses in the USA, in Europe and lately in Ireland. These sex abuses rocked the Church intensified by bad reporting from anti-Catholic reporters and journalists as observed by a Former NY Mayor Ed Koch and many good citizens who look up to the Holy Father as an upright man worthy of our support.

As the issue was intensified in the media, the Holy Father responded and issued an Apology Letter to the Church of Ireland, the victims and their families and to entire Irish people. Just as the Lord mercifully forgave the penitent Mary Magdalene, he condemned no one, passed no judgment and leave it to God alone but assured there's always a merciful God who forgives.  As a Church we should sympathize with the victims and their families.

The Holy Father's response didn't satisfy his critics.  They wanted the Holy Father to condemn the sinner according to the standard of the state.  The enemies of the Church cried out louder "Crucify them".  To their dismay, the Holy Father simply offered his sympathy and prayers to victims and their families.

"Let those who have no sin cast the very first stone" (Jn. 8:7)

In the Philippines, the politically influential Iglesia ni Cristo™, a cultic quasi-islamizized version of "Christianity" founded by a self-proclaimed "Angel" considered as their "Last Messenger of God", who incorporated his INC™ in the Republic of the Philippines in July 27, 1914 was among the many noisy anti-Catholics who joined voices in criticizing the Holy Father. They used the same issue demonizing the original Church of Christ in internet forums and in blogs.

Little they know that while rejoicing at our expense, their "Last Messenger" Felix Manalo was as guilty as those accused Catholic priests.  In fact, his sexual misconduct within his cult was brought to the civil courts but his great influence paved way to his poor victims, in exchange he even lifted one of his own victims to be a "Deaconess".  She's Rosita Trillanes. 

A very damaging exposition of his misconduct was published by a certain blogger Emily Jordan providing readers valuable news clippings showing how Felix Manalo abused women while he was considered "God's Last Messenger".  I almost want to say " G*d's LUST Messenger" (or in Filipino Ang na-Huling Sugo").  His infidelity was even complained by his own wife (read here). 

The difference between two sinners, an erring Catholic Priest and Felix Manalo, the former was not a founder of a church or an angel or the "last messenger" while the latter claimed it all. "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much..." (Lk. 12:48).

Similarly, the same problem existed within in various Protestant denomination (read here). So why media is singling out Catholic clergy? It because Catholic clergy are expected to live a holy lives patterned in the life of their founder Jesus Christ. While the rest don't.  "Let those who have no sin cast the very first stone" (Jn. 8:7).

In support for the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, let's join the Knights of Columbus and all Catholics of goodwill around the world to offer this Novena for him:

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Source: Knights of Columbus

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,

give to your shepherd, Benedict,a spirit

of courage and right judgment, a spirit

of knowledge and love. By governing

with fidelity those entrustedto his care,

may he, as successor to the Apostle

Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your

Church into a sacrament of unity, love

and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.

R/ May the Lord preserve him,

give him a long life,

make him blessed upon the earth,

and not hand him over

to the power of his enemies.

V/ May your hand

be upon your holy servant.

R/ And upon your son,

whom you have anointed.

Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

In Solidarity With Our Holy Father

THE AUTHORITY GIVEN TO THE APOSTLES

By: Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL's Gospel reflection for Kerygma Family of Bro. Bo Sanchez

"I get a bit tired defending the Catholic Church’s position on the authority given to the apostles against any of the Protestant Churches as, after all, they are the ones who insist on taking the Word of God literally. It is quite plain and simple to see that Jesus gives the apostles the authority to forgive and retain sins. I do not see how the text in today’s Gospel can be interpreted in any other manner.

"Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” -Jn 20:27

"It is not just this text but there are many other texts that support the fact that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is instituted based on a theological point of view. If this is not enough, the undisputed evidence of Church history for the first 1,500 years after Christ also supports the Catholic Church’s position. If the Protestants want to do away with the Sacrament, they will have to do a lot better than merely asserting that they are developmental mistakes of the Catholic Church. Like nearly all of the Protestant theological positions, we are ultimately left with supporting arguments that pick and choose those pieces of evidence that give vague support to what they want to establish and reject anything that remotely disagrees with their position no matter how well attested the evidence may be. There is no intellectual credibility, let alone integrity in such a position.

"As Catholics we need to better understand our faith so that we can live it more faithfully. Ironically it is the converts who are in the forefront of renewal here. There are many recent converts to Catholicism who witness to the fact that it is precisely when they take history seriously and search for what the early Church believed and why, that they become convinced of the authenticity and correctness of the Catholic Church’s position. One of them, Scott Hahn, echoes another of them, Cardinal John Henry Newman, when he says words to the effect that you cannot remain a Protestant if you take the study of Church history seriously."

Our Common Knowledge About Felix Manalo, INC™ Founder!

While Jesus commanded his disciples to "…Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), the new commandment of Felix Manalo was to go out into the world and proclaim his new version of gospel to every Catholic and Protestant who believes Christ is God and convert them to his own cult disguishing as Christ!  No matter how much he and his cohorts would try, they will never prevail! (Mt. 16:18)

Felix Y. Manalo

Who is Felix Manalo who instigated perfectly a new gospel apart from the Gospel found in the Bible?

Who is Felix Manalo that he changed the whole scripture as he liked and made it appear that the Bible favors him more than the apostles and members of his body – the Church?

Who is Felix Manalo that he thought superior to Christ by elevating himself to the heights of angels while Jesus remained to be a man ONLY!

Who is Felix Manalo who preaches a LYING Christ by forfeiting his solemn promise in Matthew 16:18 “the gates of Hell will NEVER prevail against (Christ’s) Church and built a new in the Philippines?

Who is Felix Manalo who engineered the brainwashing of nominal Catholics by believing in the Catholic Church as an apostate one while his founded new church called Iglesia ni Cristo™ was the restored one “from its pristine beauty”?

Who gave Felix Manalo the sole authority interpreting Scriptures according to his personal opinion which St. Peter, the first Pope of the Catholic Church was very much against (2Peter 1:20)?

Because they do not have official website, let's consult what's availble in the net.  Here's what Wikipedia says about Felix Manalo:

"Felix Ysagun Manalo (born Félix Ysagun y Manalo May 10, 1886 - April 12, 1963), also known as Ka Félix, was the first Executive Minister (Tagalog: Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan) of the religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo, and incorporated it with the Philippine Government on July 27, 1914. He is the father of Eraño G. Manalo, who succeeded him as Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo, and the grandfather of Eduardo V. Manalo, the current Executive Minister.

"On July 27, 1914 the Iglesia ni Cristo was officially registerd with the Philippine government. Thus the prophetic revelation contained in the bible was fulfilled."

Felix Manalo's Biography from LetUsReason:

"The founder of the Iglesia Ni Cristo organization was Felix Manalo. Born On May 10, 1886 to a Catholic family, near Manila in the Philippines. His name Felix (happy) was chosen from the roster of saints from that month. He was baptized a Catholic, his mother a devout Roman Catholic who had Felix attend Catechism class where he learned the fundamentals of the Roman Catholic faith. When he became a teenager he went on a spiritual quest through five known denominations. He became a follower of the ''Colorum'' spiriting sect in the Philippines which was secretive and had pilgrimages to a sacred mountain. He left the Church as a teenager. In 1904 after witnessing a debate between a Roman catholic priest and a Protestant minister on the use of images, he joined the Methodist Episcopalian Church, attended their Seminary and became a pastor. Iglesia puts it this way "He found that the arguments of the Protestant minister' seemed nearer to the biblical truth, than the pointless rambling of the priest." (GOD'S MESSAGE 1 July - September 1994"

Felix Manalo was a rapist according to an article by Emily Jordan:

"In 1954, the newspaper The Bombshell published a three-part story concerning Felix Manalo, founder of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The first part was published on October 21 with front page headline “IGLESIA NI CRISTO ‘HEAD’ ANGEL OR SEX MANIAC?” The article includes a letter of confession from a certain Rosita Trillanes who, according to her, was raped several times by Felix Manalo. Here is the inside story."

Felix Manalo was a "self-proclaiming" angel says Jesus-Messiah:

"Felix Manalo, founder of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Church in the Philippines, did not have a witness outside of himself that he was a prophet of God to restore the primitive Church, which he claimed had apostated. So, he turned to the Bible to find scriptures he could interpret that would authenticate him as this prophet and authorize him to be the founder of a new religion. He found two text that fit his need and these he manipulated into a Manalo-Christology or a Manalo-Messiasology. Sometime between 1914 and 1941 and a final court decision where the conduct of Manalo was legally established, he claimed to be the Messias and used this identity to coerce girls and women into sexual relationships. He told these females he was like Solomon and could have many wives and concubines. According the ruling of the Court, Manalo used his office as head of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and as a Messias to seduce and persuade these females into fornication and adultery. He already had a large following at that time who believed his claim that he was chosen by God to restore and set up the primitive Christian Church."

Rejected by God, he died painfully with intestinal desease says EconomiExpert:

"Felix Manalo was afflicted with an intestinal disease and died in April 12, 1963."

Felix Manalo was a sex pervert, lusted immorality with female members of his cult says ExamineIglesianiCristo:

"Accusations of sexual immorality plagued Felix Manalo through out His life. In a decision by the Court of Appeals, in the case of "The People vs. Rosita Trillanes" published in July 1942, (A court case initiated by Manalo) the Justices gave an extremely unfavorable estimate of Manalo's character stating:

"...Manalo, took advantage of his position as head of the Iglesia ni Cristo, and...employed religion as a cloak to cover his...immoral practices; that he pretended to be the Messias sent by God; and that to persuade his victims, he cited the example of Solomon and his many wives"

Felix Manalo personally invited agents of Satan to laid hands on him says Splendor of the Church:

"PASUGO, the official bulletin of the Iglesia ni Cristo cult founded by Felix Manalo directly refers to the Catholic Priests and Protestant Pastors as ministers of Satan."

A richman says Iglesia ni Cristo in a Nutshell:

"Usually, about $200,000 cash and money orders are collected which represents a third

of the total thanksgivings. Manalo does not want to lose any monies from possible stickups.

"There is a very big shocker that affects many members. Because of the excessive thanksgiving increase

that members have given, they are required now to deposit the same amount next year plus corresponding increase. For example, if a member's total thanksgivings (deposits plus supplementary cash) is $5,000 this year, the member must deposit this same new amount next year plus additional.

"Manalo's Iglesia ni Cristo sleeper cells are comprised of all fully established cells (committee prayergroups and congregations) established all over the world. Latest estimates of cell membership is approximately 7.5 million to 9.5 million scattered all over the globe. Its income is estimated to be from US$60 million to US$75 million annually mostly from its members. Monies are laundered and hidden through names of trusted Manalo relatives and friends and Manalo owned corporations and entities, just like how former dictator Ferdinand Marcos hid his billions of assets. Manalo's source of income are also hidden in stealth as members faithfully follow orders not to declare their Iglesia ni Cristo contributions in their personal income tax returns, a neat ploy to render income of the cult invisible from radar screens of all governments of the world."

"Thanksgivings of INC member Feljun Fuentes:

Dec 2001....$1,000.00 July 2001....$500.00

Dec 2002....$1,500.00 July 2002....$750.00

Dec 2003....$1,500.00 July 2003....$850.00

Thanksgivings of INC member Rommel V. San Pedro:

Dec 2001....$3,000.00 July 2001....$100.00

Dec 2002....$2,000.00 July 2002....$ 50.00

Dec 2003....$1,000.00 July 2003....$ 5.00

"Use of the God's Message magazine - Each member buys this magazine (currently the price is $2.50 each issue). Usually members buy two, one for self and one for his/her prospective visitor or prospect.

"The average yearly amount of monies that a member surrenders to Manalo is $3,681.00.

Breakdown:

---------

Worship service offerings ($5.00x52x2)....$ 520.00

Local offerings ($10.00x40)............... 400.00

District offerings ($10.00x12)............ 120.00

Thanksgiving deposits ($25.00x49)........ 1,225.00

Supplemental Thanksgivings............... 500.00

Anniversary offerings.................... 700.00

God's Message offerings ($2.50x2x12)..... 60.00

EGM offerings ($3.00x52)................. 156.00

------

TOTAL $3,681.00

"...the Iglesia ni Cristo has 134 congregations in the United States, the income of Manalo from the U.S. alone is a whooping $15,460,200.00. If we include the takes of Manalo from the rest of the world from Canada to Europe and Asia, an estimate of $50 million to $75 million is a low estimate."

Felix Manalo is the embodiment of the Anti-Christ saysCatholic Faith Defender:

"•FELIX [5 letters] because Felix is Latin but if it is translated to Tagalog: PELIKS = 6 letters]

•YSAGUN [6 letters]

•MANALO [6 letters]

= 666 ERAÑO GUZMAN MANALO [translated to Filipino] IRANYO GUSMAN MANALO

IRANYO: 6 Letters

GUSMAN: 6 Letters

MANALO: 6 Letters

________________

666

Felix Manalo was a founder of a CULT says thebereans.

Unable to expose their official teachings for fear of losing members, we keep blogging about Who Felix Manalo was! Perhaps in this way we can enlighten those who were brainwashed by their Ministers.

May the Light of Christ shine brightly in their darkness.

Prophecy Fulfillment (Naganap Na!)

Biblically true, the Iglesia ni Cristo™ perfectly fits in the prophecies of the Bible. The coming of a deceiver, an anti-Christ, a son of perdition through the preachings of its founder Felix Ysagun Manalo prophesied and was fulfilled in his cult.

The Bible is full of warnings about the coming of the anti-Christs particularly found in the Gospels and in the letters of St. Paul and St. Peter, the first among the Apostles, the first Pope, In the letters of St. Paul we were told to hold fast in our faith which they handover to their successors. He strictly forewarned us to keep watch and to defend and maintain the true faith against those chiildren of perdition found in deceitful teachings fuming confusion among his sheep by false prophets and anti-Christ’s. (see Mt. 7:15-23; Mt. 24:11-12; 2Pt.2:1-3; 1Jn.4:1; 2Tim4:2-4) and that includes Felix Manalo.

Biblicaly speaking, the anti-Christ would come, preach another Christ, worship another god and deceive many. He will make himself superior to Christ. Felix Manalo, the founder of the cult “Iglesia ni Cristo™” matched those descriptions and their new gods are Iglesia ni Cristo and money coming from its members. In fact they call themselves IGLESIA not Christians.

The anti-Christ preached another Christ. For him, Christ was never true to his words. He promised “the gates will never prevail against “ his “Church “(Mt. 16) but apostatized sometime.

For Manalo, Christ is just a man, not God but he preached himself as God’s Last Messenger or an Angel. At times he’s said to be the “Last Messenger” of the Apostles, or God or Jesus. In other words, he’s a messenger of three personages: God, Jesus and the Apostles.

But wait, one of the accusations of the Iglesia ni Cristo Ministers through the preaching of their founder was the other way around. They say that the Catholic Church which they confessed to be "Christ’s true Church" (Pasugo April 1966, p.46) apostatized and that the Pope who received his Papal Ministry directly from St. Peter himself is accused of being the anti-Christ (a teaching they heavily borrowed from the Sevent-day Adventists for Manalo was once a preacher of the Sabadistas. Its followers still believed that the faked “Vicarius Filii Dei” was an official Papal title apart from him being called “Vicar of Christ”. The fabricated "papal" title "Vicarius Filii Dei" teachings has long been abandoned by the SDA but is maintained by INC™ Ministers.

Satan was so desperate in messing up Christ's true Church (but of course not even its gate can prevail against it. Christ had promised NEVER it will happen!-- keep trying Iglesia ni Cristo).

So how should we know who’s the anti-Christ.

To figure it out, let’s use their own official magazine called PASUGO:

PASUGO September 1970, p.20:

"Sino ba ang nakadaya sa buong sanlibutan ayon sa itinuturo ng Banal na Kasulatan? Sa Apoc. 12:9 ay ganito ang mababasa: 'At inihagis ang malaking Ahas, ang tinatawag na Diablo at Satanas, ang nakadaya sa buong sanlibutan.' Sinasabi ng Banal na Kasulatan o Biblia na si Satanas o ang Diablo ang nakadaya sa buong sanlibutan. Kay Satanas ang Pambuong Sanlibutan. Kung ang Iglesia Katolika Romana ay pambuong sanlibutan o laganap sa buong sanlibutan kung gayon ito ang nadaya ni Satanas."

For being LAGANAP (worldwide) the Catholic Church was deceived by Satan says the INC™ by using Rev. 12:9. That's officially published in their Magazine.

Or would it be the other way around?

It's true, the Catholic Church is Universal just as Jesus commanded his disciples to “preach the Gospel to ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt. 28:19) keeping his commands and statutes. We claim it because Christ told had promised.

In fact in Psalms 50:7-12 we read:

"Iyong dinggin, O Bayan, at ako'y magsasalita, O Israel, at ako'y magpapatotoo sa iyo; Kung ako'y magutom ay hindi ko sasaysayin sa iyo: sapagkat ang sanlibutan ay akin at ang buong narito."

Dispelling their own deceitful ploy, St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians 10:10:26 says:

"Sapagkat ang lupa ay sa Panginoon at ang kabuuan ng narito."

The whole universe is CHRIST’s!

But wait, using their own standard, let's help them figure out whom Revelations 12:9 is referring to.

PASUGO April 1969, last page: (poem)

"Kung buhay an sugo, Makikita niya na hindi nasayang;

Ang mga panahong kanyang ginugol nang siya'y mangaral;

Saka ang Iglesia'y hindi lamang dito ngayon nakatatag;

Tumawid na ito sa ibayong Pangpang nitong Pilipinas;

Pati na sa Hawaii at sa San Francisco doo'y lumaganap;

Nakatatag ngayon si Cristong pinakahahamak;

Papaano di gayon ay kalat na ngayon ang mga kapatid;

At nangakalatag sa palibut-libot ng buong daigdig."

Thanks to readme2.blogspot.com for providing us a more solid fact of its being "laganap".

Iglesia ni Cristo™ un-Official Directory by an INC™ Minister Conrad J. Obligacion aka "readme" aka "truthcaster" at readme2.blogspot.com

Again, according to their own standards, if the Iglesia ni Cristo is now worldwide (LAGANAP) "kung gayon ito ang nadaya ni Satanas." PASUGO September 1970, p.20!

Indeed! Praise alone to Jesus Christ!