Christianity 'could vanish from Middle East'

By AFP

STRASBOURG - Christian communities could disappear from the faith's birthplace in the Middle East because of persecution and low birth rates, the Council of Europe's parliament warned Thursday.

"The Assembly is convinced that the loss of Christian communities in the Middle East would also endanger Islam as it would signal the victory of fundamentalism," a resolution approved by the 318-member body said.

It condemned the October 2010 massacre of worshippers in the Syriac Catholic cathedral in Baghdad and the January 2011 suicide bombing in a Coptic church in Alexandria as two "particularly tragic" events in a growing number of attacks on Christian communities worldwide.

The representatives from the 47 member states said the co-existence of religious groups was a sign of pluralism and an environment favourable to the development of democracy and human rights.

Relations between Christian communities in the Middle East and the Muslim majorities have not always been easy, the assembly said, while public authorities in some Muslim countries have not always conveyed the right signals about other religious communities in these countries.

It called for a Council of Europe strategy to enforce freedom of religion -- including the freedom to change one’s religion -- as a human right.

Member states should also promote educational material which addressed anti-Christian stereotypes and bias as well as "Christianophobia" in general, the assembly said.

They should also insist on a "democracy clause" when making agreements with third countries, and take account of the situation of Christian and other religious communities in their political dialogue with these countries.

Was Peter Ever in Rome?

By Shameless Popery 

Lorraine Boettner's 1962 book Roman Catholicism is notorious for its egregious distortions of history and outright falsehoods.  Nevertheless, it remains popular amongst some Fundamentalist circles, because hey, it speaks ill of Catholicism, so how could it be wrong?  Here's a sample of the sort of thing I'm talking about:

The remarkable thing, however, about Peter’s alleged bishopric in Rome, is that the New Testament has not one word to say about it. The word Rome occurs only nine times in the Bible, and never is Peter mentioned in connection with it. There is no allusion to Rome in either of his epistles. Paul’s journey to that city is recorded in great detail (Acts 27 and 28).There is in fact no New Testament evidence, nor any historical proof of any kind, that Peter ever was in Rome. All rests on legend. The first twelve chapters of the book of Acts tell of Peter’s ministry and travels in Palestine and Syria. Surely if he had gone to the capital of the empire, that would have been mentioned. We may well ask, if Peter was superior to Paul, why does he receive so little attention after Paul comes on the scene?

All three of the claims Boettner makes here are false. Let's take them one by one:

I. "There is no allusion to Rome in either of [Peter's] epistles"

Wrong. In 1 Peter 5:13, Peter sends greetings to the global Church on behalf of the Church "in Babylon," which is used elsewhere in the New Testament (specifically, The Book of Revelation) to speak of Rome. Boettner knows that "Babylon" is often a reference for Rome -- in fact, he quotes Alexander Hislop's book The Two Babylons, which tries to argue that "modern Rome" is the fulfillment of ancient Babylon.  When it suits their fancy, the likes of Hislop and Boettner are ready to say that the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican are the same as modern Rome, that modern Rome is the same as the capital of the Roman Empire, and that these are what "Babylon" refers to in Revelation. When it doesn't suit their fancy, Babylon can't mean Rome.

HOW TO SAVE EUROPE

THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The fact that Europe is careening toward cultural suicide is indisputable.  Muslims are already the fastest growing demographic group in Europe and in many European nations Muslims threaten to become the majority within a matter of decades.  The German government has already publicly admitted that Germany is well on it's way to becoming an Islamic republic.  While other European nations are not as openly honest about their future, some of them are actually heading toward that goal much faster than Germany.  Failure to correct this course now will only accelerate the demise of Europe as we know it.  It's not that I expect any of these suggestions to be implemented, but I thought it would be nice to spell out some simple solutions in one blog entry.  Now I understand this is not a comprehensive plan, and it omits many key issues that readers of this blog will naturally recognize as necessary to European recovery.  Indeed, my readers will recognize that some of these suggestions don't go nearly far enough.  I acknowledge that.  However, what I'm trying to do is outline a basic framework for the slow long-term and organic recovery of traditional European Christian identity.  If the following policies were implemented by the European Union, and European nations respectively, it would (over time) correct the entire course of Europe toward a much more Christian society that is more consistent with European history and culture....

Dean Resigns from Cathedral. He Will Seek Ordination in Roman Catholic Church

VirtueOnline - The Dean and rector of Gethsemane Cathedral, Fargo, ND, the Very Rev. Steven A. Sellers, is leaving his position and The Episcopal Church to seek ordination in the Roman Catholic Church. His duties at the cathedral will be taken over by the Bishop of North Dakota, the Rt. Rev. Michael Smith.

Gethsemane Cathedral, Fargo, North Dakota
Source: Anglo-Catholic.com

In an e-mail, the Anglo-Catholic priest told VOL, "Our journey into the Roman Catholic Church has been a long process for Dixie and me, and it has come at the end of a year-long period of prayer and discernment. I have the utmost love and respect for Bishop Michael. He and I have become very close over the past several years, and we will continue our relationship in the coming months and years. I treasure his friendship. And I know that he is facing a very challenging few months here at Gethsemane Cathedral in Fargo, and in the diocese, as financial resources continue to fall and new ways of doing ministry are being explored.

"Our paid staff at the Cathedral is very small -- a dean, a receptionist, a part-time music minister -- and further cuts are anticipated. The financial realities resulted in my taking a 32 percent salary reduction, starting the first of this year.

"My decision to enter the Catholic Church through the Pastoral Provision process came at the end of last year, after I met at length with Cardinal DiNardo in Houston, and with Fr. Jeffrey Steenson, former Episcopal bishop of the Rio Grande and now a Catholic priest in Houston. Jeffrey has become a very good friend, and has served as a mentor and advisor for me. He is an amazing servant of the Lord.

The Affliction of My People in Egypt: The Copts of Egypt from Dar al-Masih

Thanks to Dar al-Masih - I have a special affection for the Coptic Christians of Egypt. Here are some updates about what has been going on with them since the New Year's church bombing in Alexandria.

Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's most prestigious Islamic university (locatd in Cairo, Egypt), cut off talks with the Vatican after Pope Benedict condemned the Alexandria bombing. Egypt's highest cleric, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, called Benedict's words an "unacceptable interference in Egypt's affairs."

The Palestinian Islamist group "Army of Islam" has been connected with the church bombing. An Army of Islam spokesperson denied this, blaming the bombing on Israel instead.

Shortly after the bombing, the man responsible for a drive-by shooting at another Coptic church a year ago was sentenced to death for his actions. I am opposed to the death penalty, but this is uplifting news in that a Muslim in a Muslim-majority country is being punished for the murder of Christian minorities. Perhaps this will lead to greater respect and freedom for Copts in the future.

Egyptian Christians have been calling for a reform of church-building laws, and it seems like the government may answer: there is a new law on church construction in the works. 

In Ethiopia, Christians are given two options: Convert or Die

"لا إكراه في الدين فقد تبين الرشد من الغي" (There is no compulsion in religion...") Quran 18:29

by Spectrum

According to a news release from International Christian Concern (ICC) , Christians in the Ethiopian city of Besheno are being harassed and physically abused after Muslims posted notices on the doors of Christian homes warning them to convert, leave the city or face death.

Three Christian leaders were forced to flee while two Christians have been forced to convert to Islam, said the ICC report. In the Muslim majority city, the entire evangelical Christian community consists of about 30 believers.

CHRISTIANS: HRW REPORT, DISCRIMINATION IN EGYPT WIDESPREAD

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, JANUARY 24 - Egypt is facing criticism from Human Rights Watch (HRW), whose annual report accuses the authorities in Cairo of "widespread discrimination" against Coptic Christians and other religious minorities.

"Despite the fact that the Egyptian Constitution guarantees the equality of rights, there have been reported cases of widespread discrimination against Egyptian Christians and intolerance towards heterodox Islamic sects," the report states. (ANSAmed).

EXPOSING THE LIES OF AN ANTI-CATHOLIC MR. SOLIMAN by Atty. Marwil Llasos

Today, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church, is being attacked by bigots, anti-Catholic members of different Protestant sects and cults disguising as religions but are actually business corporations. Much to our own surprise is the fact that most of them are DECEIVERS, of which their GROSS DISHONESTY is being exposed. Thanks to Atty. Marwil Llasos, one of our best lay apologist defending and exposing the lies being circulated by anti-Catholics, now being EXPOSED!

GERRY SOLIMAN’S INTELLECTUAL DISHONESTY 

A fellow Catholic apologist emailed me a link from the defunct blog of FRANKLIN LI accusing me and Reverend Father Arganiosa, CRS of conflicting views. Franklin Li is not original in his attacks; he merely parroted his master GERRY SOLIMAN’s ideas hook, line and sinker. The real culprit is Gerry Soliman.

In an article Mary as the Woman Clothed with the Sun of Revelations 12: Symbolical (sic) or Literal? posted in his blog with only two (2) followers, Mr. Soliman pitted my statement against Fr. Arganiosa’s to create the impression that we don’t agree on the identity of Mary as the woman clothed with sun in Revelation 12, and whether that identity of Mary is literal or symbolic. Here is what he said in his blog (http://solutions-finder.blogspot.com/2010/11/woman-clothed-with-sun-of-revelations.html):

“Let the infallible Church of Rome tell you. According to Atty. Marwil Llasos, a Roman Catholic apologist specializing on Mariology:

Pope’s message to Catholic bloggers

Source: Vox Nova)

This is interesting. The pope is actually tackling the thorny subject of incivility in the Catholic blogosphere! He asked bloggers to adapt a “Christian-style presence” online, and said that “we must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its ‘popularity’ or from the amount of attention it receives”. This is a message that all of us who blog need to take to heart.

The follow-up comments from Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, are also noteworthy. He “said it was certainly correct to direct the pope’s exhortation to some conservative Catholic blogs, YouTube channels and sites which, with some vehemence, criticize bishops, public officials and policies they consider not Catholic enough”. This is uncharacteristically blunt, which tells you that the Vatican sees this online parallel magisterium as a growing problem. I’m not going to name names either, but I think we all know the blogs he is talking about!

Pope calls Moscow airport attack 'grave act of violence'

Photo Source: The Real Timer

VATICAN CITY, Straight Times - POPE Benedict XVI on Tuesday condemned as a 'grave act of violence' an attack on a Moscow airport which left 35 people dead and over 100 wounded.

The pope expressed his 'profound sadness and strong reprobation for the grave act of violence,' in an open letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Pope Benedict said he also offered 'spiritual support and condolences to the relatives of the victims' and would not forget the wounded in his prayers.

The pope's words come a day after a suspected suicide bombing in the packed arrivals hall of Moscow's largest airport.

The attack, slammed by the Kremlin as an act of terror, was the most deadly to hit the capital after the metro bombings in March.

The suicide bomber may have been part of a group despatched by militants in the Northern Caucasus to bomb the capital, reports said on Tuesday. -- AFP

Read also Jews, Orthodox and Muslims Religious Leaders Condemn Terrorist Act

Saudi Arabia: Christians and Jews NOT Benefiting from King Abdullah's Reforms Program Opposed by Clerics

The king's campaign to totally overhaul the Saudi textbooks to remove chapters which promote bigotry and religious fanaticism against Christians, Jews and Shi'ites was met with strong resistance.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and World's Single Most Authoritative Figure Pope Benedict XVI, leader of World's 1.2 billion Catholics meeting at the Vatican (Source: Saudi Embassy)

By Reuters

Saudi King Abdullah's reforms

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who came to power in 2005 as the sixth ruler of the top oil exporter, started cautious reforms as part of his drive to open up the absolute monarchy and create jobs for its growing population.

Abdullah, believed to be aged about 87, went to the United States in November for medical treatment for a blood clot that complicated a slipped spinal disc.

He arrived in Morocco from New York on Saturday for convalesence, state media said.

Saudi Arabia remains an absolute monarchy, so economic and social policies depend on who is leading the country. Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz is considered to be in a strong position to assume the leadership if serious health problems afflict the king and the crown prince.

Italian Demonstrators Against Blashpemy Law told to convert to Islam

Muslims who wish non-Muslims to convert to Islam should demonstrate their faiths in good works not just by talking and be witnesses to what goodness Islam can offer aside from the "burqas" "praying 5 times" "Jesus and Mary are Muslims" line of argument. Although it's incorrect to generalize terrorists as Muslims but let's face facts. Most terrorists are claiming to be "true" Muslims and lesser Muslims are condemning their terroristic activities. I urge peace-loving Muslims to stand with us in this fight, not to invite us to convert to Islam. We can be GOOD even if we remain Catholics or Protestants without the need to convert to Islam. Reactions can be read at JihadWatch

Muslims in Italy tell those concerned over Christianophobia: Convert to Islam!

EnePub - "Islam is the true religion; convert to Islam!” was the demand issued by a Pakistani radical Islamic organization, led by Malik Shaib, to promoters of a demonstration to be held on January 26 in Rome. The demonstraters express concern over Christianophobia in Muslim-dominated countries and, in particular, the case of Aasi Bibi - a Pakistani Christian woman who was sentenced to death for blasphemy according to Islamic law.

The demonstration, known as “Italy for Asia Bibi: freedom, justice, human rights” has been promoted by a group of parliamentarians and Italian civil associations, including the multi-partisan Association of Parliamentary Friends of Pakistan, Association of Italy-Pakistan International Cooperation (Isiamed), Association of Pakistani Christians in Italy, Amnesty International – Italian Section, Community of Sant'Egidio, TV2000, Religions for Peace, and Padana Onlus.

The invitation, written in Urdu, Pakistan's radical organization and forwarded to the Organising Committee, which has now informed the agency Fides, shows how the international initiatives enjoy attention and are significant for the scenario of Pakistan.

Pakistan, 10,000 Rally again in support of Blasphemy Law

Reactions can be read at JihadWatch

In Pak, blasphemy law supporters on the streets

Associated Press

Peshawar: Rallies took place in Peshawar and Faisalabad on Sunday in support of Pakistan's strict blasphemy laws that stipulate death for those insulting Islam.

About ten-thousand supporters of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party gathered in the northwestern city of Peshawar for a sit-in outside the provincial assembly.

In Faisalabad, meanwhile, a large crowd of activists from Islamist political parties held a demonstration in the city centre.

Pakistani Islamist groups called for the strikes and rallies this month despite assurances by the embattled ruling Pakistan People's Party that it would not pursue any changes to the laws.

The long-standing laws against blasphemy gained new attention when a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, was sentenced to death in November 2010 for allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

The sentencing attracted local and international condemnation.

"It is incorrect to say the Coptic community in Egypt is in danger" - Tariq Ramadan

You can read comments @ JihadWatch

Egypt: Muslim scholar slams top Sunni authority's decision to halt inter-faith dialogue

A prominent Muslim on Friday rejected the Cairo-based Al-Azhar University's decision to suspend inter-religious dialogue with the Vatican after remarks by Pope Benedict XVI that were critical of Islam and the plight of the Christian minority. In an interview with Adnkronos International, Tariq Ramadan said there was "no war against Coptic Christians" in Egypt.

Rome, 21 Jan. (AKI) - A prominent Muslim on Friday rejected the Cairo-based Al-Azhar University's decision to suspend inter-religious dialogue with the Vatican after remarks by Pope Benedict XVI that were critical of Islam and the plight of the Christian minority. In an interview with Adnkronos International, Tariq Ramadan said there was "no war against Coptic Christians" in Egypt.

"It is incorrect to say the Coptic community in Egypt is in danger. There are terrorist acts that don't have anything to do with most Muslims. It is extremely important to be cautious on this point, the risk is to play along with the terrorists who want to deepen divisions in Egypt, there is no 'war' against Copts."

Ramadan spoke to Adnkronos International from Rome's private LUISS University where he was participating in a debate on religion, democracy and civil liberties.

"It's a mistake to interrupt channels of dialogue between Islam and the Vatican," Ramadan said.

Asia Bibi to Move to a Women’s Prison in Multan

Lahore, Spero News – Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, may be moved to Multan Prison, an all-women facility, due to security concerns. The Christian community expressed their concern to the authorities that the 45-year-old mother of five may not be safe in Sheikhupura Prison (Punjab) because of constant death threats from extremists around the country.

Asia’s husband Ashiq Masih also appealed to the authorities to improve her security, who explicitly said her life was in danger.

Similarly, Ministry of Interior asked the Punjab government to increase security for Asia Bibi in Sheikhupura Jail.

Collapsing Churches Prompt Protests in Egypt For New Law on Church Construction

Reactions can be read at JihadWatch)

(AINA) -- Unusually bad winter weather in Upper Egypt all last week focused attention once again on the controversial restrictions on church building. The rainy weather caused roofs of dilapidated churches -- which have been waiting for years to receive construction permits -- to collapse.

Much of the on-going sectarian strife in Egypt is related to the ability of Christians to build churches. Most human rights organizations in Egypt have called on the Egyptian government for the last 15 years to promptly adopt "a unified law governing construction of the houses of worship." believing that this law would eliminate more than 90% of the sectarian tension.

Presently church building in Egypt is still partly governed by the Hamayouni Decree of 1856, and the 1934 el-EzabI Decree that stipulated 10 conditions that must be met prior to issuance of a presidential decree permitting the construction of a church. The conditions include the requirement that the distance between a church and a mosque be not less than 100 meters, the approval of the neighboring Muslim community, the number of Christians in the area and whether or not the proposed church is near the Nile, public utilities or railways. Copts view these regulations as confirmation of their Dhimmi or second-class citizenship status.

FELIX MANALO: Anghel sa Tungkulin, hindi sa anyo?

Anghel may PAKPAK  pala. Bakit si Felix Manalo, isang anghel exempted?

Pakistani Police Allegedly Make Threats after Murdering Christian

Officers warn Christians they could face false charges or death if they do not withdraw case.

KARACHI, Pakistan, January 18 (CDN) — Pakistani police are threatening the father of an 18-year-old Christian man whom officers raped, killed and threw into a sewer last week, according to area Christians.

Christian residents of Akhter Colony, Karachi who pulled the body of Waqas Gill from the sewer on Jan. 11 protested an alleged police cover-up by placing the corpse in the middle of a street and chanting slogans against officers of Mehmoodabad police station. They said local officers kidnapped and sodomized Gill before shooting him dead on Jan. 9.

The victim’s father, Pervez Gill, told Compass that four policemen on Jan. 6 abducted his son without a warrant and without making any charges. He said higher level police officials took notice of their Jan. 11 protest and reluctantly filed charges against the four policemen, two of them identified as Muhammad Amir Butt and Muhammad Adeel Khatak of the Mehmoodabad police station in Jamshaid Town, Karachi. The First Information Report is No. 38/11 under the murder laws of Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code.

Top Muslim scholars announce boycott of dialogue with Vatican

Vatican officials and Muslim scholars at a three-day forum in Rome (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, HO

CatholicHerald.co.uk - Top Muslim academics in Egypt have announced they are suspending all dialogue with the Vatican to protest Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks about anti-Christian violence in Egypt.

(Read also MUSLIM LEADERS ATTACK THE POPE)

The decision of Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, president of al-Azhar University in Cairo, and members of the Islamic Research Academy was reported by the website Ahram Online, a site devoted to covering news of interest to Muslims in the Middle East.

Shortly after the news was reported in Cairo, Jesuit Fr Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue “is collecting the information needed to adequately understand the situation”.

“In any case,” he said, “the line of openness and the desire for dialogue on the part of the pontifical council remain unchanged.”

The news of the dialogue boycott came about a month before the scheduled annual meeting of the Joint Committee for Dialogue of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Permanent Committee of al-Azhar for Dialogue among the Monotheistic Religions. The committee, established in 1998, meets in late February each year.

Ahram Online reported that the decision to suspend the dialogue was made unanimously in response to the Pope’s reference “to the discrimination endured by Coptic Christians in Egypt” after a bombing at a Coptic Orthodox church left 23 people dead.

Sheik el-Tayeb already had criticised the Pope’s remarks as “unacceptable interference in Egypt’s affairs.”

In an address to diplomats, Pope Benedict recalled the December 31 bomb attack on the Coptic church in Alexandria and said the bombing was a sign of “the urgent need for the governments of the region to adopt, in spite of difficulties and dangers, effective measures for the protection of religious minorities”.

The day after the Pope’s speech, the Egyptian government recalled its ambassador to the Vatican, bringing her back to Cairo “for consultation”.

BENEDICT XVI WILL BEATIFY JOHN PAUL II ON 1 MAY

VATICAN CITY, 14 JAN 2011 (VIS) - On 1 May, the second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, Benedict XVI will preside at the rite of beatification for John Paul II in the Vatican.

According to a note released by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, "today 14 January, Benedict XVI, during an audience granted to Cardinal Angelo Amato S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, authorised the dicastery to promulgate the decree of the miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Servant of God John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla). This concludes the process which precedes the rite of beatification.

IGLESIA NI CRISTO master of DECEPTION

The IGLESIA NI CRISTO writers are expert in twisting Catholic doctrines, and Catholic authored-books just to get on top.  These evil practices are published in their official magazine called PASUGO and books written by INC members such as Isabelo Crisostomo's book deceiving its own flock by twisting carefully selecting Fr. Leonardo Mercado, SVD (Divine Word Misisonary) as if this Catholic priest esteems Felix Manalo.  See below the whole article. They cut Fr. Mercado's article so as to appear that Fr. Mercado esteems Felix Manalo.

Thanks to The Bereans.

Is the Iglesia ni Cristo Teaching the Truth? (Part 1) By Justyn M. from The Bereans Comment: Good day to every one! I am a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC),and I do believe I am on the right path. I found no other church that truly teaches the word of God. Every doctrine the INC teaches is written in the Bible, no doubt. I have heard the teachings of the Catholics, the Protestants, the Baptists... but only in the Church of Christ that I've heard the truth. You say that INC is a false religion, where should man belong? For me, in Jesus Christ's body (the church) man should belong. There are so many religions in this world but only in this church I found Jesus---for real. My greatest dream in life is to be in heaven... I love you all... God bless us!!! Response: When you said the words, "I do believe I am on the right path" I can picture that you are speaking from the heart. However sincere a person is from his heart, sincerity still cannot be a basis for a person to gain eternal life. Of course, no cult group will ever admit that they are of the devil and all of them will always say they are of God. The apostle Paul reminded us, "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14) The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) will always be heard thumping at the back of their pulpits and announcing on their radio and television programs that they are the "true church." Is this claim valid? Are they really teaching the truth? Let's check their Pasugo magazines and place it under the lense of truth and scrutinization. Misquoting A Religious Researcher P s: INC writer Isabelo Crisostomo wrote, "In a book entitled Filipino Religious Psychology edited by Leonardo N. Mercado, it is stated: 'This type of power passed on to Erano, who, in order to maintain the society would have to be as strong and competent as the man before him. From the very start Erano was being trained for a high position... The Iglesia ni Kristo (sic) has been gaining more and more adherents everyday through the exceptional administrative abilities of Manalo. He has been described as an efficient leader, possessing mastery in organization (Sta. Romana, 1955 and Asia Magazine, 1965).'"

Felix Manalo's Ordination by pastors he considers Apostates and of the devil

You ought to read README's post (an Iglesia ni Cristo member) entitled Bro. Felix's ordination on Dec. 1918? at http://readmeinc.blogspot.com/2011/01/bro-felixs-ordination-on-dec-1918.html

For this INC Defender, the LAYING of HANDS on Felix Manalo in 1918 was NOT an ORDINATION but was just a gathering to HONOR Felix Manalo for being an "OUTSTANDING MINISTER". Mr. Readme is trying his expertise in deceiving many.

The ordination of Felix Manalo as "Pastor" to his founded church has stirred a controversy among those non-INC members and even within its own walls. INC members deliberately DO NOT discuss such taboo issues in public forums or even among  themselves. The reason? It's because those who "Laid Hands" on Felix Manalo were pastors and ministers he considers apostates and of the "devil".

Source:  Emily Jordan's Blog

Earlier I pointed this out in my previous post entitled  The Secret Behind Felix Manalo's ordination taken from Ms. Emily Jordan's Blog, an "Ang Dating Daan" member, nagmamaang-maangan na lamang silang t*nga para sabihing hindi nila alam ito.

In a booklet entitled Ang Katotohanan Tungkol sa INK 1914 pp. 24-25, it was recorded in their official magazine that the Iglesia ni Cristo considers pastors of the Protestant churches and the Catholic Church as "Ministers of the Devil" and "anti-Christ" published in its official magazine - PASUGO Disyembre 1965, p. 5; PASUGO Oktubre 1959, p. 5; - PASUGO Agosto 1962, p. 9; PASUGO Oktubre 1956, p. 1.

BEGINNING OF WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

VATICAN CITY, 18 JAN 2011 (VIS) - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, traditionally celebrated every year from 18 to 25 January, begins today.


The theme chosen for 2011 is: "One in the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer" (cf. Acts 2:42).

The materials for the week of prayer and for the rest of 2011 have been jointly prepared by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches.

Each day of the Week will have a different theme:

18 January: The Church in Jerusalem.

19 January: Many Members in One Body.

20 January: Devotion to the Apostles' Teaching Unites Us.

21 January: Sharing, an Expression of Our Unity.

22 January: Breaking the Bread in Hope.

23 January: Empowered to Action in Prayer.

24 January: Living in Resurrection Faith.

25 January: Called for the Service of Reconciliation.

Although the traditional period for celebrating this week of prayer is the month of January, in the southern hemisphere this coincides with the holidays so Churches sometimes seek other periods such as, for example, around the time of Pentecost, which is also a symbolically significant date for the unity of the Church, and was suggested by the Faith and Order movement in 1926.

In the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday 25 January, Feast of the Conversion of the Apostle Paul, Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration of Vespers to mark the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

PAKISTAN: Islamist Pakistani Citizens Seek Pope's Apology?!!

Unbelievable people. Islamist sympathizers in Pakistan are seeking for an "apology" from the Pope when the Holy Father demanded the Pakistani government to repeal its barbaric law called "Blasphemy Law" which has been used by Islamists against Christians. Let us pray for them because they really do not know what they're doing. And remember to pray for those Christians being harassed and persecuted for the sake of Christ.

Rallies seek Pope’s apology
The International News by Asim Hussain

Photo Source: JihadWatch.org

LAHORE: Despite Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s categorical rejection of a demand by Pope Benedict to repeal the blasphemy laws, religious parties and groups continued their campaign to protect the laws and refused to stop it till Pope’s unconditional apology and dissolution of the parliamentary committee to review the laws.

On Friday, religious parties observed a countrywide protest day against what they called the west-backed conspiracies to amend the blasphemy laws. They held rallies and demonstrated while prayer leaders warned that Pope Benedict’s blatant and outrageous demand had exposed the hands pulling the strings behind the organised conspiracy to ignite religious clashes in Pakistan under the cover of a change in the blasphemy laws.

The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) staged a demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club, led by Pir Ajmal Gilani and others who warned that Pope Benedict had challenged the very pillars of Islam and his outrageous act could endanger the security of Christians living in Pakistan and other Muslim countries. Ajmal Gilani said the Pope had in fact exposed the hands pulling strings of the organised campaign against the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. He said it also explained why the Pope did not utter any single word of condemnation against the organised blasphemy by the European press through the desecration of Holy Quran and sketches of the Prophet (SAW) of Islam.

Egypt church shooting attacker gets death sentence

By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press

CAIRO – A court in southern Egypt on Sunday convicted and sentenced to death a Muslim man for his part in last year's Christmas drive-by shooting outside a church that left six Christians and a Muslim guard dead, judicial officials said.

The court will announce its verdict next month for the other two defendants accused in the Jan. 6, 2010 attack, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information with the media.

Sunday's verdict, which cannot be appealed, comes two weeks after a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a church in the port city of Alexandria, killing 21 and wounding nearly a 100 in the deadliest violence against Christians in more than a decade. A local, al-Qaida-inspired group is thought to be behind the attack.

The January 2010 attack in the southern town of Nag Hamadi also took place outside a church as worshippers were leaving after the Coptic Christmas Mass, and is believed to have been in retaliation for accusations of rape against a local Christian man.

Former Anglican bishops find a new home in Rome

By Robert Pigott

BBC News religious affairs correspondent

Archbishop Vincent Nichols with the first clergy of the world's
first Personal Ordinariate (Photo: James Bradley - CatholicHeraldUK)

The ordination of former Anglican bishops as Roman Catholic priests could fundamentally change the Church they leave behind.

The ordination of Keith Newton, Andrew Burnham and John Broadhurst by Archbishop Vincent Nichols signals the inauguration of a special section for former Anglicans - known as the "Ordinariate" - in the Roman Catholic Church.

It was set up by Pope Benedict XVI as a home for traditionalist Anglicans unhappy in the Church of England, and especially with its decision to introduce women bishops.

The Ordinariate will welcome married priests, although they will not be able to become bishops, and it will preserve some Anglican traditions and practices.

Iglesia ni Cristo: The Destroyer of Christian Unity!

It's known around the world within the Filipino communities that the Iglesia ni Cristo cult, which emerged from the Philippines in 1914, founded by Felix Manalo is among the MOST notorious anti-Catholics in the Philippines and in countries where the presence of Filipino Foreign Workers are heavily concentrated.  Its DEFENDERS are equally NOTORIOUS like their founder and owner of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Most of its converts were poorly catechized Catholics who thought saints were gods and that bowing and kneeling before their statues would make them (the images) gods.  Serious and REAL Catholics do not consider saints and their statues as "gods" just as no one would think the statue of Jose Rizal at the Luneta Park is Rizal himself.   

Statue of Jose Rizal at the Luneta Park, Manila City, Philippines

Iglesia ni Cristo Hypocrisy!

"Happy New Year" greetings from an Iglesia ni Cristo member (readme) at http://readmeinc.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-year.html

This Iglesia ni Cristo member has NO idea that the year 2011 is the YEAR OF THE LORD, according to the GREGORIAN CALENDAR. This I would call simply as IGLESIA ni CRISTO's many HYPOCRISIES!

What is the GREGORIAN CALENDAR?

Mainstreaming Muslim Barbarism

By Islamizationwatch

They love death!!!

Contact: Jeff Field, Director of Communications, The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, 212-371-3191

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2011 />Standard Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments as follows:

The pope pleaded with Pakistan yesterday to abrogate its blasphemy law which allows the killing of those who "insult" Muhammad or the Koran; a senior Pakistani leader, Salman Taseer, was assassinated recently for protesting the death sentence of a Christian woman for the "crime" of converting. The pope was immediately condemned by a senior Muslim cleric for "interfering" in the "Islamic ideological state," and the leader of the most powerful Islamic party accused the pope of "insulting" Muslims worldwide. Prior to this, more than 500 "moderate" Muslim clerics and scholars defended the assassin. Not only did 50,000 Pakistanis take to the streets last Sunday in support of the assassination, according to a distinguished Pakistani journalist, "educated and articulate Pakistanis chided Taseer, even in death, for writing his own death warrant." And these were the educated ones!

The Origin of Islam by allaboutreligion.org

Source: AllAboutReligion.org

Origin of Islam: According to Secular History

The origin of Islam can be traced back to 7th century Saudi Arabia. Islam is thus the youngest of the great world religions. The prophet Muhammad (circa 570-632 A.D.) introduced Islam in 610 A.D. after experiencing what he claimed to be an angelic visitation. Muhammad dictated the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, which Muslims believe to be the preexistent, perfect words of Allah.

Origin of Islam: According to Islam

The origin of Islam is generally accredited to the prophet Muhammad but to the devout Muslim, Islam began long before Muhammad ever walked the earth. The Qur'an was dictated by Muhammad but, according to the Qur'an, it did not originate with Muhammad. The Qur'an testifies of itself that it was given by God through the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. "This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it, to reveal it into your heart that you may be one of the warners, in a perfect Arabic tongue" (Sura 26:192-195). "Say, 'Anyone who opposes Gabriel should know that he has brought down this (the Qur'an) into your heart, in accordance with God's will, confirming previous scriptures, and providing guidance and good news for the believers'" (Sura 2:97).

What ISLAM is Not!

Saudi cleric sees 'devil' behind suicide attacks

By AFP

RIYADH - A top Saudi cleric has slammed suicide attacks by Islamist martyrdom-seekers as devilish acts that do not qualify as jihad, a Saudi newspaper reported on Friday.

"He (a suicide bomber) claims to be a mujahed (holy warrier) in the name of Allah, but he is not. He is fighting in the name of the devil who has tempted him and convinced him" to carry out the attack, said Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan.

"A Muslim is prohibited from killing himself," the member of the Saudi supreme council of Islamic scholars said in a lecture in Riyadh, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

He said acts of violence branded as jihad, or Muslim holy war, were nothing more than "sabotage."

"This is not jihad. This is sabotage and unrightful killing," the cleric said, adding that jihad in Islam should only be declared by the leader of the Muslim community.

Mideast Christians victims of 'cleansing': Sarkozy

By AFP

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that Christian minorities in the Middle East are victims of "religious cleansing", following deadly attacks on churches in the region.

"We cannot accept and thereby facilitate what looks more and more like a particularly wicked programme of cleansing in the Middle East, religious cleansing," he said in an annual New Year's address to religious leaders.

An attack on a Coptic church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria on January 1 killed 21 people.

Gulf activists condemn attacks on Arab Christians

By AFP

KUWAIT CITY - Dozens of academics, writers and rights activists from conservative Gulf states strongly condemned on Monday a wave of bombings targeting Christians in Arab countries, notably Egypt and Iraq.

"We strongly condemn the wave of killings and terror targeting Christians in the Arab and Muslim worlds," said a statement received by AFP and signed by around 60 intellectuals, the majority of whom are Saudis and Kuwaitis.

"We condemn attempts by terror groups to isolate them (Christians) and force them to immigrate from their land and homes," said the statement.

A New Year's Day bombing of a church in Alexandria, Egypt, killed 21 people while militants attacked a Baghdad cathedral on October 31 leaving 44 worshippers, two priests and seven security force personnel dead.

On New Year's Eve, two Iraqi Christians were killed and 16 wounded as 10 bombs exploded at different Christian homes in Baghdad.

The statement said the attacks were a trend that is forcing minorities, especially Christians, to flee the region and that were due to the absence of "modern civil laws" that treat people equally, regardless of religion.

Pope: Governments must protect minority Christians

VATICAN CITY | Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:41am EST

(Reuters) - Pope Benedict called on Monday for Pakistan to repeal its anti-blasphemy law and demanded that governments in predominantly Muslim countries do much more to protect minority Christians from violent attacks.

Speaking in his annual address to diplomats days after a senior Pakistani politician who opposed the legislation was assassinated by his own bodyguard, the pope said the Pakistani law was a pretext for violence against religious minorities.

The pope, who has used many of his addresses in recent weeks to demand religious freedom, renewed his condemnation of attacks on churches that left dozens dead in Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria.

He also called for called for religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, where Christians cannot worship in public, and communist China, which forces Catholics to join an official church.

Pope calls on Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law

VATICAN CITY, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict called on Monday for Pakistan to repeal its anti-blasphemy law, saying the law serves as a pretext for violence against religious minorities such as Christians in predominantly Muslim countries.

Speaking in his annual address to diplomats, dedicated this year almost exclusively to religious freedom, he also said Middle East governments must protect minority Christians, following bomb attacks against churches in Egypt and Iraq.

Iglesia ni Cristo Corporation Sole Securities and Exchange Commission Registration

Here's what was written in the Iglesia ni  Cristo's SEC Official Registration where it stipulates that Felix Manalo OWNS every property of the Iglesia ni Cristo. (Source: Net54 Forum)

MGA ARTIKULO NG INKORPORASYON NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO  ESTADOS UNIDOS NG AMERIKA KAPULUAN NG PILIPINAS TANGGAPAN NG SANGAY NG MGA KASULATAN, MGA ARI-ARIANG PATENTE SA PANITIKAN AT TANGGAPANG TAGAPAGPAGANAP SA MGA MARKA NG INDUSTRIA FELIX MANALO Ang humuhiling tungkol SA PAGIGING Korporasyon Unipersonal NG KAPISANANG TINATAWAG NG “IGLESIA NI CRISTO” Na ang naghahain ng kahilingan ay humaharap sa Tanggapang ito at magalang na nagsasalaysay: Na ang naturang naghahain ng kahilingan ay ang Tagapagtatag at kasalukuyang Pangulo o puno ng Kapisanang tinatawag “Iglesia ni Cristo”, at nagnanasang palitan ang nasabing Kapisanan sa Korporasyon Unipersonal. Na sa pagkakataong magkaroon ng bakante sa hanay ng mga Namiminuno, at ang tungkuling Tagapagpaganap, tulad ng Pastor, Obispo, Ebanghelista, Kalihim, Ingat-yaman, Diakono, at mga Diakonesa; ang alinman sa mga nabanggit na tungkulin ay hahalinhan o papalitan sang-ayon sa mga ipinag-uutos ng Banal na Kasulatan. Na bilang Puno ng naturang kapisanan, siya ang mananagot at siya ang mangangasiwa sa lahat ng ari-arian ng naturang Kapisanan. Na pakundangan sa lahat ng mga binaggit sa itaas, ang may lagda ayhumihiling sa Tanggapang ito na matala ang naturang Kapisanan bilang Korporasyon Unipersonal, at siya’y magbabayad sa lahat ng katugong gugol ayon sa Artikulo 154 ng Batas ng Pilipinas bilang 1459 na umiiral sa Kapuluan. Gumagalang Felix Manalo English translation ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (IGLESIA NI CRISTO) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PHILIPPINE ISLANDS BUREAU TRADEMARKS & COPYRIGHTS (Not the exact translation) FELIX MANALO Requestor for the recognition as a Corporation Sole of the organization called “IGLESIA NI CRISTO” The requestor appears before this office and respectfully states: That the requestor is the FOUNDER and the present President or Head of the organization called “Iglesia ni Cristo”, and wishes to change the said organization into a Corporation Sole. That in the event that a vacancy in the Leadership and Administration, e.g. Pastor, Bishop, Evangelist, Secretary, Treasurer, Deacon and Deaconess, whichever of the positions mentioned will be replaced according to what is written in the Bible. And as Head of this organization, he will be responsible and will manage ALL  properties of the said organization. Regarding everything stated above, the undersigned requests the Office that the said organization be listed as a Corporation Sole and that he will pay all the required fee according to Article 154 of the Philippine Laws 1459. Respectfully, Felix Manalo

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI TO THE MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

Regia Hall

Monday, 10 January 2011

Source : Vatican.va

(Video)

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to welcome you, the distinguished representatives of so many countries, to this meeting which each year assembles you around the Successor of Peter. It is a deeply significant meeting, since it is a sign and illustration of the place of the Church and of the Holy See in the international community. I offer my greetings and cordial good wishes to each of you, and particularly to those who have come for the first time. I am grateful to you for the commitment and interest with which, in the exercise of your demanding responsibilities, you follow my activities, those of the Roman Curia and thus, in some sense, the life of the Catholic Church throughout the world. Your Dean, Ambassador Alejandro Valladares Lanza, has interpreted your sentiments and I thank him for the good wishes which he has expressed to me in the name of all. Knowing how close-knit your community is, I am certain that today you are also thinking of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Baroness van Lynden-Leijten, who several weeks ago returned to the house of the Father. I prayerfully share your sentiments.

50,000 Muslims Rally in Support of the Blasphemy Law in Pakistan that is often used against minority Christians

By Atlas Shrughs - "And rally they did. But not against the sharia. Tens of thousands of Muslims marched in Pakistan's largest city in support of Islamic law, support for blasphemy laws. Death for blasphemers is Islamic law and cannot be changed. That is Islamic law. According to Islamic law, any attempt to reinterpret or reform Islam is "hypocrisy" ...... also punishable by death. Last month, five Christians were murdered in a week under Pakistan's blasphemy law."

Sumasamba sa rebulto, lumipat sa Iglesia ni Cristo

Second INC "pope" Eraño Manalo contemplating over his father's corporation, the Iglesia ni Cristo (1914
(Source: Pasugo God's Message, Vol. 62, No. 1, Jan. 2010, p. 12)

Isa na namang komento ang ating natanggap mula sa isang kaanib ng kultong itinatag ni Felix Manalo (Iglesia ni cristo kay Manalo) sa post na Sagot kay Allan, kaanib ng INC.

Jonathan said... Ang pagluhod ba ay hindi pagsamba? Sinu ba ng lumuluhod sa rebulto? Kung anu-anung unreliable sources ang kino-quote mo. Bakit hindi ka manangan kung anu ang nakasulat sa Biblia at hindi sa sarili mong kaalaman lamang? Kitang-kita sa pagkakataong ito kung sino ang mangmang. Wala nang dapat patunayan pa. Malalaman mo na lamang ang lahat kung nasusunog ka na sa dagat-dagatang apoy. January 6, 2011 3:49 PM

Makailang ulit na bang sinagot ang mga paratang nitong kaanib ng INC na halatang dating Katoliko't sumasamba sa mga rebulto.

One-Half of Clergy Abuse Cases were Entirely False says an Attorney

Where's the Media? L.A. Att'y Declares Many Abuse Accusations Against Catholic Priests Are 'Entirely False'

By Dave Pierre | January 02, 2011 | 20:02

In a stunning ten-page declaration recently submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, veteran attorney Donald H. Steier stated that his investigations into claims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests have uncovered vast fraud and that his probes have revealed that many accusations are completely false.

Counselor Steier has played a role in over one hundred investigations involving Catholic clergy in Los Angeles.In his missive Mr. Steier relayed, "One retired F.B.I. agent who worked with me to investigate many claims in the Clergy Cases told me, in his opinion, about ONE-HALF of the claims made in the Clergy Cases were either entirely false or so greatly exaggerated that the truth would not have supported a prosecutable claim for childhood sexual abuse" (capital letters are his).

Mr. Steier also added, "In several cases my investigation has provided objective information that could not be reconciled with the truthfulness of the subjective allegations. In other words, in many cases objective facts showed that accusations were false."

Mr. Steier's declaration is a stunner. He is as experienced as anyone in studying the claims of abuse against Catholic clergy in the Los Angeles area. Also among Steier's eye-opening statements:

• "I have had accused priest clients take polygraph examinations performed by very experienced former law enforcement experts, including from L.A.P.D., the Sheriff Department, and F.B.I. In many cases the examinations showed my clients' denial of wrongdoing was 'truthful,' and in those cases I offered in writing to the accuser to undergo a similar polygraph examination at my expense. In every case the accuser refused to have his veracity tested by that investigative tool, which is routinely used by intelligence agencies."
• "I am aware of several plaintiffs who testified that they realized that they had been abused only after learning that some other person - sometimes a relative - had received a financial settlement from the Archdiocese or another Catholic institution."
• "In my investigation of many cases, I have seen the stories of some accusers change significantly over time, sometimes altering years, locations, and what activity was alleged - in every case, the changes seemed to have enabled or enhanced claims against my clients, or drastically increased alleged damages."
• "I am aware that false memories can also be planted or created by various psychological processes, including by therapists who might be characterized as 'sexual victim advocates,' if not outright charlatans."
• "Most of the approximately seven hundred psychiatric 'Certificates of Merit' filed in these Clergy Cases, as required by [California] Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1, were signed by the same therapist." (!) (Note: A "Certificate of Merit" from "a licensed mental health practitioner" is required in California before filing an abuse lawsuit.)

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