Atlas shows situation of Catholic Church throughout the world

This new Atlas presents the Catholic Church present in the whole world and the history of each diocese found within every states and cities.

Jesus is Risen in Arabic

Thanks to Dar al-Masih for posting this video

Iglesia ni Cristo's unexplained 97th Year Anniversary Logo

As they couldn't provide any official explanation about their official logo and the INC flag stolen from the Italian flag the INC's 97th Founding year anniversary again used symbolism that has no official explanation to the public, thus openly inviting people for personal interpretation, I hope I contributed justice in interpreting their official logo:

INC-1914 official  97th Year Anniversary Logo

Possible symbolism from their official logo,

• Ninety-seven "97" -  clearly indicates it's year of existence, only 97 years founded in 1914.  News stories about the INC foundation day made mention of Felix Y. Manalo as their founder- NOT Christ Jesus.  And therefore this cult's claim of being "connected" or "restored church" clearly is pointless, inappropriate, fallacious, fictional; bigoted, arrogant, deceiving and misleading.  The "Ninety-seven" numbers says when they were founded. 
• Iglesia ni Cristo Church of Christ - It’s redundant. The Tagalog registration Trademark of this cult is “Iglesia ni Cristo” and that is official; therefore this registered name should be used in all its official pronouncements. The translation of this Trademark into other languages such as English aims to aid only those non-Filipinos, non-Tagalog speakers. The INC, by law are forbidden to identify their cult as “Church of Christ” without it’s Tagalog registered name for possible violation of their “SEC Registration” as “Iglesia ni Cristo” (Church of Christ) 1914. That explains why they need to have the English translations side-by-side with the registration name “Iglesia ni Cristo”.
• Red, White and Green - I have attempted to interpret those colors here.
• Crescent shapes tri-colored Italian flag - the shape looks like "Islamic crescent".  In religion today, there is only one religion that officially identifies itself with that symbolism-- Islam!  In Islam, Muslims believed in Jesus as "prophet only".  Islam rejects any other claims by Christians about Jesus as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and his Divinity  For them, Jesus is only a prophet, as it's summarized in the Shahada, no more than that.  For them the prophet Muhammad is their "Last Prophet" (nabi نبي) and "Messenger" (rasul رسول). In the same way, INC doctrines completely rejects the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  For them Christ is only a man.  And all bibilical references that proves his claims to be God is either distorted. For INC, Felix Manalo, like Muhammad is their "Last Messenger- Angel" (Huling Sugo) sent by god to "restore" a Church it never apostatized.

A Conversion Story of former Lutheran JoAnna Wahlund

Source: Why I'm Catholic or visit her blog at A Star of Hope.

JoAnna is married and has four children. This is her story as a lifelong member of the Lutheran church to Catholicism.

I was born to lifelong Lutherans (ELCA) who, of course, baptized all their kids Lutheran. I was baptized on December 28, 1980 -- a date that I realized, soon after my conversion, as the Feast of the Holy Innocents. I sometimes wonder why I wasn't baptized sooner given that I was born six weeks prematurely, but I suppose that in Lutheran circles baptism isn't considered crucial for newborns, even premature ones.

Children get ready to become young 'Swiss Guards' to welcome pope to WYD

Was the Norway shooter a “Fundamentalist Christian”?

Source: David MacDonald's Blog

I have a big problem with any form of fundamentalism. Fundamentalist Christianity can be narrow and in the old days justified slavery, some fundamentalist Muslims blow up buildings, communist fundamentalists justified killing Christians because Christians were against the “common good.” I think all forms of fundamentalism are dangerous. Paradoxically, the mainstream media are practicing a new form of fundamentalism:

Secular Fundamentalism

It makes human rights legislation its bible and looks for any opportunity malign and insight hatred and fear against any group that stands it its way. It makes for a very lousy religion. It misinterprets authentic human rights legislation to its own ends.

This brings us to this week’s shooting incident in Norway. The New York Times, NBC, Globe and Mail, CBC, and all the usual anti-Christian media announced “Christian Fundamentalist kills 91 youth!” Lot’s of prominence to the word Christian.

Is the killer involved in any Christian group? No.

Does the killer read the Bible? No.

Does the killer go to any Church? No.

Does he claim to pray, or in any way even mention Jesus? No.

Is there any “Fundamentalist Christianity” in Norway? No.

Is there any “Fundamentalist Christianity” in Europe? Not Really.

Do fundamentalists believe in abortion, like the killer who advocates for abortion? No.

In fact he self identified as a Mason, which is the arch enemy of Christianity. So where did the media get the “Fundamentalist Christian” tag?

A Filipino exclusive church celebrates its 97 years founding anniversary

"Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church." - St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Smyrn. 8,2:Apostolic Fathers,II/2,311.. (ca. 35 or 50-between 98 and 117)

"Where there are Filipinos, there is the INC of Manalo!" - CD2000

Iglesia Ni Cristo turns 97 today
Source: The Filipino-Australian

The Iglesia Ni Cristo turns 97 today, with members gathering on different days of the week in their respective places of worship for thanksgiving worship.

In Sydney, thousands of INC members gathered Saturday July 23 at the Sydney Town Hall to commemorate the occasion, this website has gathered. Members in other states are also reported to hold separate gatherings in their capital cities.

The first INC Australian congregation was established in Sydney in November 1976 with a handful of INC faithfuls holding worship services in Sydney’s YMCA Hall. The Sydney congregation has since moved to Carlingford, giving “birth” to eight other congregations in Metro Sydney.

The religious group, currently headed by Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, has congregations in 96 countries and territories including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga.

Two years ago, the Philippine government enacted Republic Act 9645 designating July 27 of every year as Iglesia Ni Cristo Day. The Act decrees the observance of the INC’s foundation day as a national holiday in recognition of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines.

Siyamnapu’t Pitong (97) Taon ng Pagpapalaganap ng mga Aral laban kay Cristo at sa kanyang Banal na Iglesia

Source: Wikipedia

Ngayong araw ay isang malaking pagdirawang ang nagaganap sa bansang Pilipinas. Itinalaga ng dating Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang natatanging araw na ito ng Hunyo 27, 1914 sa pamamagitan ng pagsang-ayon sa RA 9645 o mas kilala sa pangalang “Iglesia ni Cristo Day” para ipagdiwang ng mga kaanib ng INC ang kanilang anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag.

Ano ba ang Iglesia ni Cristo? At bakit malaki ang impluwensiya nito sa mga pulitiko? Bakit ginawaran ang kanilang pagdiriwang bilang isang “National Holiday”?

Ang Iglesia ni Cristo or INC ay isang sekta o kultong itinatag ng yumaong Felix Y. Manalo—binyagang Katoliko at dating kaanib ng iba’t-ibang mga sektang Protestante, naging “Pastor” at “Ministro” ng mga ito bago niya itinatag ang kanyang sariling samahang “Iglesia ni Cristo.”

Isa sa mga itinuturong aral ay ang “kaisahan” ng INC sa pagboto tuwing sumapit ang “Election Day” sa Pilipinas. Ayon sa kanilang katuruan, ang pagkakaisa raw ng INC ay makikita kahit sa larangan ng politika kaya’t para sa mga ganid ang laman sa kapangyarihan, ang mga politiko ay nangangarandapang makausap ang sinumang nakaupong angkan ng mga Manalo sa Central Office nito sa may Diliman, Quezon City. Ayon sa sabi-sabi sila raw ay umaabot sa 2-3 milyong kaanib na maaaring magluklok ng isang kandidato sa pwesto. Ngunit sa resulta, lumalabas ang katotohanang wala silang numero para manalo ang isang kandidato.

Ayon sa paniniwala ng mga INC, ang Iglesia ni Cristo raw na lumitaw sa Pilipinas noong 1914 ay si Cristo ang nagtatag at hindi si Felix Manalo. Sa larangan ng pukpukan sa debate, sa mga internet forums at sa mga blogs na gawa ng mga kaanib ng INC, ito’y kanilang sinasabi ng walang kaabog-abog ng buong pagmamalaki. Maging ang kanilang opisyal na magasing PASUGO, ito’y kanilang lakas-loob na pinagyayabang.

PASUGO Enero 1964, p. 6:

“Sino ang tunay na nagtayo ng Iglesia ni Cristo na lumitaw sa Pilipinas noong 1914? Hindi ang kapatid na si Manalo kundi ang Dios at si Cristo."

Totoo kayang si Cristo Hesus ang nagtatag ng INC na lumitaw sa Pilipinas noong 1914?

The Founder was Felix Manalo...

Thanks to Manila Bulletin for saying it correctly. The Iglesia ni Cristo emerged in the Philippines in 1914 was founded by Felix Manalo! Just as "San Miguel Corporation" cannot be translated to "Saint Michael Corporation" the INC name will always be in tagalog form "Iglesia ni Cristo" for this is how it was registered as a Trade Mark-- a corporation sole! Their name cannot stand alone without it's Tagalog registration name! Proudly Philippine-Made!

Iglesia Ni Cristo 97th Anniversary on Wednesday, July 27, 2011

MANILA, Philippines — The first church of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) was established in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila, on July 27, 1914.

Its founder, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, a young man who had been in search of the truth, had drifted from one religious organization to another before he established the Iglesia ni Cristo. Ten years after its founding, the first ecclesiastical district of the Iglesia was formed in Pampanga.

Pope condemns violence and Oslo killings

Felix Manalo was compared to Moses and Circulated Lies he was never been ordained!

The ORDINATION of FELIX MANALO by Protestants pastors he considered “APOSTATES” is undeniably shameful episode in the life of Felix Manalo, founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo cult in the Philippines. Kept hidden for many years, in today’s digital world, this topic was brought out which caused many members unable to answer their critics when being questioned about Felix Manalo’s reprehensible ordination (read HERE and HERE).

Believed to be caused by the INC Central office’s silence on the issue, nasty comments became rampant in forums, blogs or in social networks. There were those who were very kind enough to invite anyone of its critics to see one of their paid ministers for an answer.

Bible Burning and other Allegations

Source: A Catholic Response

There are some things in them (Epistles of St. Paul) hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:16

Ever since the Protestant Revolt in the 16th century, the Catholic Church has been accused of ignoring, opposing, hiding and even destroying the Bible in order to keep it from the people. Allegedly, copies of the Bible were chained to the walls of churches during the Middle Ages so that people could not take them home to read. Supposedly the Church during the Middle Ages also refused to translate the Bible into the various tongues of the common people, the vernacular languages, in order to further hinder personal Bible reading. Furthermore it is claimed that the Church even went as far as to burn vernacular Bibles.

Do Christians Need Only the Bible?

Source: A Catholic Response

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 11:2

Most Protestant Christians believe that the Bible is the only source concerning faith. According to them, there is no need for Apostolic Tradition or an authoritative, teaching Church. All that they need is the Bible in order to learn about the faith and to live a Christian life. The "Bible Alone" teaching can be appealing in its simplicity, but it suffers from fundamental problems. A few are considered here.

First the Bible itself states that not everything important to the Christian faith is recorded in it. For example, not everything that Christ did is recorded in the inspired Books:

But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. [John 21:25; RSV]

Again an INC Threatening an online critic!

From this post comes a threat from INC defender against one online INC critic and yet this INC member categorized his video under "COMEDY". What an IRONY!

"...unblock us or wait for more video about u, i will tag all ur friend too if u dont unblock us all INC that had answered ur question, ok" (watch and read it here).

Adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, LIVE!

Click here for the LIVE webcam adoration

Chinese youth at WYD in Madrid: a dream come true

With the help of friends and readers, AsiaNews has collected the necessary sum to help 15 young Chinese Catholics to attend World Youth Day in Madrid. In their gratitude, the desire to be "the next generation of the Catholic Church in China", in "communion with the Holy Father and with the universal Church."

Rome (AsiaNews) - "My young people and I want to thank you for funding our trip to the World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid. A few days ago we received your gift. With your help, you have encouraged young Catholics to keep the true faith, especially in this difficult time. "

These are the first lines of a letter written by a pastor in China. Some time ago he had asked AsiaNews and its readers to help cover the cost for 15 young people of his parish to enable then togo to World Youth Day to be held in Madrid, August 16 to 21.

About a week ago we reached the amount needed and we sent it, just as in Chinese government stepped up its attempts to ordain and more illicit bishops without papal mandate and thus divide and subdue the Church.

Malaysia establishes diplomatic relations with the Vatican

Cardinal Zen: Vatican and China ‘at war’

Source: CathNews-Philippines

THE Holy See Friday excommunicated Father Joseph Huang Bingzhang, who was ordained as Bishop of Shantou without apostolic mandate on July 14.

This is the second latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication publicly declared on an illicit bishop in the Church of China since the first such ordination on July 4. As in the first one, today’s statement said the Holy See does not recognize the illicitly ordained prelate and that he has no authority to govern the Catholic community of the diocese.

INC: Are there LOCALS in their LOCALES outside the Philippines?

Locale or Local: What is the right question?

An INC member who goes abroad for the first time after he/she realizes that his/her “true” church is not known, usually comes in Yahoo! or Google searching for its “church” the Iglesia ni Cristo exclusively founded by Felix Manalo for Filipinos. Unfortunately, their “true” church is nowhere to be found except in places where Filipino communities have been thriving.  And to those who search, their Central office in the Philippines is despicably worthless for having no official website to guide its adherents. 

Here are some few of its members searching for their members elsewhere:

“Is there any locale of Iglesia ni Cristo in Canberra Australia, International City, Dubai, Qinhuangdawo Hebei, China, HongKong, Poland, China, Singapore, Sharjah, UAE, Bahrain, City Square Johor Bharu, Kirtland, New Mexico, Japan, Wellington, New Zealand, Geneva, United Kingdom, South Korea, Bucharest, Romania, Amman, Jordan, Carribean, Bermuda, etc., etc...

They might have their LOCALES outside the Philippines but do they have LOCALS in their "locales"?

"The True Church of Christ will never change its name", what a LIE! When in fact they changed their SEC registration name from "Iglesia ni Kristo (INK) to "Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)" and they have no liberty to translate their church to English without its Filipino translation for a possible violation of Registered and Patented Trademarks as stipulated at their SEC registration! Their church name will always be in Tagalog "Iglesia ni Cristo" no matter how they are mentioned in writings in other foreign literatures.

Islamic Persecution of Christians in Malaysia

Source: FrontpageMag

Recently I had the unique opportunity to be interviewed by FrontPage Magazine’s editor Jamie Glazov. In case you haven’t yet read it, the main thrust of the interview was regarding the ongoing persecution of minority non-Muslims in Malaysia at the hands of the Muslim/Malay majority.  The lengthy track record of substandard treatment and discrimination of non-Muslims in general and Christians in particular should make it clear to everyone what’s going on in Malaysia and why.

Eclectic Convert: Amanda Rose found a Pearl of Great Price

Source: Why I'm Catholic
Amanda Rose

This story of conversion is a story of one who longed for God before she understood what she was longing for, who searched for God and for so long he remained hidden from her, but who continued knocking upon the door and seeking (Matthew 7:7-8) until finally finding God within the fullness of truth. Upon finding that pearl of great price described in Matthew 13:45 she was willing to sell all in order to possess it.

My Pearl of Great Price

My mother likes to say that we were catholic with a small "c" meaning that our religious interests were varied. Although my mother and father were both baptized Christians, my mother converted to Judaism when I was about three years old. My earliest religious memories are of the reverence shown to the Torah as the velvet-covered scrolls were carried through the assembly in the Temple and of the poetic cadence of the Sabbath blessing my mother recited in Hebrew as candles glowed from our dining table. We didn't remain Jewish more than a year or two, but those memories became an anchor in my soul.

Alarming: This man claims he's being watched by INC

Though this man said at the last part of the video "...it's (referring to INC) just a bunch of proud Filipinos, just like the proud Filipino Catholics out there..." this video will keep us Filipino Catholics remain humble before our Lord Jesus, who is our God, Lord and founder. The rest of the video says it all about the INC members' unbecoming attitude towards its critics
.


I am whitedragonawa. Igleisa ni Cristo is afraid of my videos because they show the truth and expose their lies. They are cowards who won’t show their faces. Salvation is ONLY IN THE LORD (Psalm 27:1); salvation is ONLY IN GOD (Hosae 13:4); salvation is ONLY IN JESUS CHRIST (Acts 4:12); salvation is ONLY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 3:17)!!!! How many Gods is this? Answer: ONE GOD!!!! If you are personally questioning the teachings of the INC and are stuck in their church listen to what I a....

In Rome, experts discuss peace-building, church's 'best-kept secret'

By John Thavis

Catholic News Service

Website:IKV Pax Christi

ROME (CNS) -- When Sudanese Bishop Paride Taban of Torit wanted to help stop traditional cattle raiding by rival groups of young men, he turned to the Catholic peace-building organization IKV Pax Christi from the Netherlands.

The cattle raiding had become extremely dangerous and violent, and Pax Christi helped develop a program that would bring together the youth warriors from different rural communities to discuss the problem and come up with alternative ways of relating.

After two conferences, participants were able to launch a peace and sports program called Playing for Peace. It engages the young people in a platform for debate and involves them in building a sports infrastructure.

ALARMING: Is INC Hunting their critics?

‘Sometimes God works in funny ways’

Ed West talks to a Catholic who prayed the rosary 35,000 times while running across America, dodging wild animals on the way

By Ed West

Jeff Grabosky pauses at the Brooklyn Bridge near the end of his gruelling 3,700-mile run from the West Coast to the East Coast

America is a country of open expanses, limitless prairie fields, mountain ranges and desert, and extreme cold and heat. But most of all America is vast, the distances between its oceans almost incomprehensible to the European mind.

One man who certainly knows all this is Jeff Grabosky, who on May 20 arrived on the shore of the Atlantic on Long Island, New York, having run from southern California’s Pacific coast, a 3,700-mile journey which he undertook to encourage Americans to pray. Along the way he prayed the rosary 35,000 times.

Philippine Current Affairs and the Iglesia ni Cristo

by Philippine Current Affairs Blog

philstar: Ombudsman bets: Morales, 3 others on JBC list

inquirer: Ombudsman bets down to 4

manilatimes: Torn between two allies

Ok, so the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) have narrowed the list of choices for the next Ombudsman down to 4. Among these candidates, President Noynoy Aquino can pick the next Ombudsman that will replace Merceditas Gutierrez. This is not a simple task. Each candidate may have their own group of friends supporting them. For example, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has already expressed her vote for Carpio-Morales. And I think, the political group of Iglesia Ni Cristo has their own candidate among the 4 choices.

A. former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales
B. Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento
C. Presidential Commission on Good Government Commissioner Gerard Mosquera
D. former Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero (Iglesia Ni Cristo member)

Who is Iglesia Ni Cristo?
Who is Artemio Tuquero?

An overview of Iglesia Ni Cristo involvement in government positions

• Serafin Cuevas Secretary of Justice Cuevas was fired by President Estrada because of controversial cases. Cuevas is a senior INC member, a follower of Manalo

• Artemio Tuquero Secretary of Justice assumed office after Cuevas.
Served as Department of Justice Secretary with less than a year only.
Appointed by President Estrada. Tuquero is also an INC member, a follower of Manalo.

• ...THE powerful Iglesia ni Cristo has come out in the open not only to prevent Sandiganbayan Justice Gregory Ong from being appointed to the Supreme Court but also to have him unseated from the anti-graft court. The petition to disqualify Ong from the Sandiganbayan, now pending in the Pasig Regional Trial Court, was filed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who happens to also be an Iglesia counsel. According to the grapevine, Ong caught the ire of the Iglesia hierarchy after the Sandiganbayan justice convicted military colonel Victor Danao, husband of Pilar Manalo, who happens to be a sister of Iglesia Executive Minister Erano Manalo....

• Reynaldo Wycoco National Bureau of Investigation Appointed by Gloria Arroyo.
NBI was put into a scandal after whistle blower Acsa Ramirez was accidentally turned into a suspect.
Wycoco died while in NBI. Wycoco is an Iglesia Ni Cristo member, a Manalo follower.

• Iglesia Ni Cristo, Arroyo-Macapagal clan backed Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez

• The INC Eduardo Manalo, LTO Chief Torres, Ombudsman Gutirrez and Gloria Arroyo connection

• Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Most Corrupt President



Iglesia Ni Cristo is very much involved in Philippine politics. I will not believe if INC is not endorsing, pushing or making any moves for the Ombudsman position for INC member Tuquero. What can be the consequences if INC member Tuquero will be assigned as the new Ombudsman?

• INC and Gloria Arroyo are close political Allies.
Our dream of putting Arroyo behind bars may remain as just a dream.

• Government official, another INC member, LTO Chief Virginia Torres is facing a lot of charges. Persecuting Torres maybe going to be hard.

I am not impressed to INC members holding public offices. Congressman Marcoleta, NBI Chief Wycoco and Gatdula, LTO chief Virgie Torres, former DOJ secretaries Cuevas and Tuquero did nothing impressive on their positions. Iglesia Ni Cristo doctrines state that all of us are going to Hell; only INC members will be reaching heaven. I doubt that the former and present INC government officials are all going to heaven. I highly doubt that only INC members are good enough to please the eyes of Our Creator. Eduardo Manalo, can you please shed a light on this? We are all in total darkness in here. If the block voting of Iglesia Ni Cristo is indeed biblical, then how come that Mar Roxas lost as Vice President when INC endorsed him in 2010 elections? Eduardo Manalo, you continually disappoint me.

Government office is a public trust and we do not trust Iglesia Ni Cristo.

To the Executive Minister of Iglesia Ni Cristo, Eduardo Manalo:

I still see you as an incapable leader that hides in the shadow.

You still do not have the nerve and the bravery to come out in the open to lead your flock in spiritual enlightment, not with this kind of political maneuver to seal the INC presence in political arena. Why are you silent about the INC and the ombudsman impeachment in Congress? Why are you silent about the mess of an INC member in LTO? I think you are just lucky enough to inherit the INC leadership when your father died.

Warning: Iglesia Ni Cristo is dangerous to Philippine politics

I will withdraw my support to President Noynoy Aquino if he will pick Tuquero as the next Ombudsman.

---

PASUGO: Trinity: not "'spiritually comparable'" with the gospel

One of the INC-Manalo chapels in Manila

Source: INC-Pasugo by INC Minister Benildo C. Santiago December 2005 | Vol.57 | No.12 | ISSN 0116-1636 One of the Catholic and Protestant churches' "many doctrines contrary to God's revealed truth" is the so-called Trinity.  The Trinity, the belief that there are three persons in one God, is described by the Catholic Encyclopedia as  "the central doctrine" of the Catholic and Protestant churches. The book states: "1. THE DOGMA OF THE TRINITY.- The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion." (p. 47)

CD2000: Just as the BIBLE which INC believed to be inerrant and authoritative is not in the Bible why they are fretting out with the word "TRINITY".  Hindi dahil sa wala na sa Biblia ay hindi na totoo!  The INC is not in the Bible but they believed.  Felix Manalo is not in the Bible but they believed.  Santa Cena is not in the Bible but they believed.

And why do you think INC Minister Benildo Santiago cut the whole sentence?

INC’s ignorance or should I say, total denial of Church History (which happened to be recorded by the Catholic Church alone) makes them incapable of understanding how Catholic Doctrines were developed and how certain teachings were finally DEFINED. And they continue assaulting Catholic doctrines as “FOUNDED” (gawa-gawa lamang) thus accusing us of manipulating our doctrines against what is what they perceived as biblical.

Sad to say but INC ministers are HELPLESS. Until today, they RELY heavily on Catholic and Protestant versions of the Bible, which they say were APOSTATE CHURCHES.

Be at Peace: Medley Minute with Fr Sam

Visit his Fr. Sam's blog at Medley Minute

Are you willing to embrace this kind of culture within your cities?

... then think and reflect what's more important to you now! Pray it won't happen in your cities today!

Ten Catholics Doing Amazing Work

By Mary ORegan

Source: Catholic Herald UK

Mary O’Regan profiles 10 Catholics who are quietly using their talents in the service of others in an astonishing variety of fields

1. Gerry Straub

Gerry Straub in Haiti (NCR)

Gerry Straub has had an illustrious career as a television producer in New York and Hollywood, producing extremely popular shows such as General Hospital and The Doctors. But he is now applying his considerable expertise as a film producer, filmmaker, and critically acclaimed author to uncover the living conditions of the world’s poorest people.

Straub has written and directed 18 documentaries, including Embracing the Leper, which shows a Secular Franciscan valiantly bringing support to the lepers of the Brazilian Amazon. Straub is himself a Secular Franciscan, and founder of the San Damiano Foundation. This organisation makes films about the spirituality of St Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan care of the poor. One such notable film is Where Love Is, which shows the work of a Capuchin soup kitchen in Detroit. Straub has taught television directing at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Vatican sends Official delegates to Independence Celebration of Majority Catholic South Sudan

Photo Source: Wikipedia

VATICAN CITY, NEWS.va - Holy See press office director Fr. Federico Lombardi issued the following statement Friday: Tomorrow 9 July, the new Republic of South Sudan will be proclaimed in the city of Juba. For this solemn occasion, the Holy Father has sent an official delegation headed by Cardinal John Njue, archbishop of Nairobi and president of the Kenya Episcopal Conference. The delegation, which will also include Archbishop Leo Boccardi, apostolic nuncio to Sudan, and Msgr. Javier Herrera Corona, secretary of the apostolic nunciature to Kenya, will bring the authorities of the new State, and all its citizens many of whom are Catholic, best wishes for peace and prosperity.

As Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, said yesterday when receiving a Sudanese parliamentary delegation led by Ahmed Ibrahim Elthair, president of the Sudanese National Assembly, peace, reconciliation and respect for universal rights (especially religious liberty) are the fundamental pillars upon which to construct the new socio-political circumstances of the region, and vital conditions in order to be able to look to a future of hope.

The Holy See, which has had stable diplomatic relations with the authorities of Khartoum since 1972 and will give due consideration to any request from the government of Southern Sudan, invites the international community to support Sudan and the new independent State so that, through frank, peaceful and constructive dialogue, they may find just and equitable solutions to outstanding questions; at the same time she expresses the hope that those peoples will enjoy a journey of peace, freedom and development.

When in Rome Saudis behave like Romans

Saudi students are seen at a university in Ireland in this file photo. (AN photo)

By DIANA AL-JASSEM | ARAB NEWS (Also available in Maktoob.com)

JEDDAH: Saudis traveling abroad for summer vacation find it difficult to respect the rules of the country they are visiting.

Saudis studying and living abroad are calling on their compatriots to avoid bad behavior on the road and in public, as not respecting local laws could land them in trouble.

Many Saudis traveling for vacation claimed it had been difficult for them to respect the laws of the countries they visit because they do not respect their own laws in the Kingdom.

Holy See and Azerbaijan ratify agreement

Source: News.va, Vatican City - On Wednesday morning, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, and Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, exchanged the instruments of ratification of the Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Christianity has been present in Azerbaijan since the 1st century AD, when the Apostle Bartholomew arrived from India to preach the Gospel. Down through the centuries, missions led by Dominicans, Jesuits, Capuchins, Augustinians, served the Catholic minority present mainly in the capital Baku, until the advent of Russian rule in the early 20th century, when the community’s only priest was killed and its church demolished.

The revival of the community in Baku began in 1992, when a few believers wrote a letter to the Vatican, making a request for a priest to be sent out to celebrate Mass. On October 11, 2000 the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples appointed Don Bosco`s Salesians responsible for the mission in Azerbaijan. Only two years later Pope John Paul II visited the country, despite his increasingly fragile health. Shortly after this visit Azerbaijan’s President Aliev gave the Catholic Church a plot of land to build a church. The Church of the Immaculate Conception was inaugurated by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone on the 7th March 2008.

Must See: How to act in front of the Blessed Sacrament

Muslims in UK again demand Shariah in three Muslim areas

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Islamic extremists have called on British Muslims to establish three independent states within the UK.

The notorious Muslims Against the Crusades (MAC) group have named Yorkshire towns Bradford and Dewsbury and Tower Hamlets in East London as testbeds for blanket sharia rule.

The medieval 'emirates' would operate entirely outside British law, according to a document on the MAC website.

Daily Mail: Veiled women in the London borough of Tower Hamlets which has seen a rise in extremism. The Muslims Against the Crusades group says the medieval 'emirates' would function as autonomous territories and operate entirely outside British law, according to a document published on their website

Daily Mail: Where the group envisages the autonomous areas being set up

The MAC group, led by Abu Assadullah, was set up last year and has become notorious because of its violent protests, most provocatively burning poppies during the Remembrance Day silence.

Iran 'annuls death term' for Christian pastor

Christian Armenian Iranian women select a Christmas tree in Tehran in 2001. Iran's supreme court has overturned a death sentence handed down to Yusef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor accused of apostasy for having converted from Islam, his lawyer told AFP on Sunday.(AFP/File/Henghameh Fahimi)

TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran's supreme court has overturned a death sentence handed down to Yusef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor accused of apostasy for having converted from Islam, his lawyer told AFP on Sunday.

"The supreme court has annuled the death sentence and sent the case back to the court in Rasht (his hometown), asking the accused to repent," Mohammad Ali Dadkhah said.

Nadarkhani, now 32, converted from Islam to Christianity at the age of 19 and became a pastor of a small evangelical community called the Church of Iran.

Biography: Felix Manalo by Historical Institute of the Philippines

Could be the author was "UNINFORMED" about Felix Manalo? In his Biography, nothing was mentioned about him speaking with God face-to-face like his predecessors, the prophets.  He was hallucinating in hunger that in three days after fasting he [alone decided] became "certain" that he is commissioned by "God" to do a mission and that "his decision" to preach what "he was convvinced" to be the "true" Church.  In this article, something is obvious: God didn't commission him; God didn't appoint him; God didn't command him; God didn't convinced him!  In reality, he commissioned himself; he appointed himself; he commanded himself; he convinced himself to be God's "Last Messenger" and then he decided to found his own church and registered it in July 27, 1914 having a distinct trademark exclusively in Tagalog "Iglesia ni Cristo" or INC.  -CD2000

by: Quennie Ann J. Palafox

Source: National Historical Institute of the Philippines

Hailed as one of the most successful and influential religions in the Philippines which is now established in 84 countries and territories worldwide and with members of different races and ethnic affiliations, the Iglesia ni Cristo’s enormous triumph is credited by some observers to the commendable leadership of Felix Y. Manalo. Despite his being lacking in formal education, his personal shortcoming that most of his detractors frequently used against him, the Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ astoundingly continues to grow with thousands of people converted in the church. It started as a humble religion with only few members in 1914 but looking at the INC now with its superb houses of worship, this indigenous Christian religion has emerged as a dominant church that obtained the respect of Filipinos for its role in nation-building.

The 10th day of the month of May is known in history as the infamous death of Gat Andres Bonifacio who was executed in Mount Nagpatong on that same day. But for the members of the INC, this day is a very special one as they commemorate the birth anniversary of their most beloved Ka Felix Manalo, first Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo. Felix Manalo was born on May 10, 1886 in Calzada, a sitio in the barrio of Tipas, Taguig, Rizal province to parents Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacia Manalo. His birth brought so much joy to his parents that he was given the name Felix and was baptized in a nearby Catholic chapel. His family was poor that his father struggled to provide the needs of his family , took two jobs as a farm worker and fisherman while his mother nursed their children.

Unemployed family to be a WYD host family

Gabriela y Jorge, with one of their
children and the grandmother

WYD 2011 Update News - “We should always remember God: in the good times and in the bad”

It’s easy to see that the WYD is drawing near and everybody is going all out to make this great event a success, like Gabriela and Jorge. Despite being unemployed for 3 years and having been through difficult moments, Gabriela and Jorge did not want to miss the opportunity to be host family for two volunteers.

It all began one Sunday when after Mass there was an announcement asking for people to be host family to people from other countries. At first they hesitated because of the situation they were in and so they decided to offer just to be volunteers. But as the days went by, they felt more and more the need to accept the proposal and so they eventually said yes.

They are both from Ecuador and have two children – Esteban is 14 and Quique is just 3 years old- and live with Gabriela’s mother. With great excitement they are looking forward to welcoming into their home the two people coming to WYD.

This large family, struggling to make ends meet, does not lose hope that better times will come. Both Jorge and Gabriela have always lived closely to God and want to transmit these values to their children. “We should always remember God, in the good times and in the bad”, they say. They came to Spain 9 years ago and have always wanted their children to feel this closeness and brotherly love that they transmit. “Besides, this experience is an example for our children, especially the oldest who realizes the situation that we are in”.

A Bigotted Meaning of the VATICAN FLAG by an Iglesia ni Cristo member using multiple aliases

INC Temple in Cubao (Photo Source: Wikipedia)

BIGOTS never run out of anti-Catholic articles...

Vatican flag, what does it mean?

May 24, 2011 | Author: resbak aka Conrad J. Obligacion, INC Minister

There is no end to the pettiness of Ivatan Blogger AKA Wakay AKA Catholicdefender2000. He’s even put his own spin on the meaning of the INC flag. Of course he blogged about it not to acknowledge the meaning of the flag as explained by the INC but rather to malign and denigrate the INC. Well, Ivatan blogger AKA Middle East homosexual prostitute, two can play that game. Let’s go.

CD2000: As I have said before and I will say it again, until the Iglesia ni Cristo cult of Manalo STOP MALIGNING the Catholic Church of Christ and ALL Catholics in their TV programs and their PASUGO and The MESSAGE publications, I can assure Mr. Obligacion, a prostitute of the Deceiver- the Father of Lies, AKA “truthcaster” AKA Catholic Ivatan AKA Cedric Amalon AKA C. Amalon AKA Geoff AKA ReadmeINC, AKA Admiral Conic, a CATHOLIC HATERS INC member, that I will stop my INQUISITIVE “pettiness” against the INC’s secret teachings.

Christian leaders reach agreement on guidelines for evangelizing

Photo Source: News That Matters

CNA STAFF, Jul 1, 2011 / 05:35 am (CNA).- Leaders representing 90 percent of all Christians worldwide issued guidelines on acceptable missionary conduct based on the witness of Christ and the early Church.

“The example and teaching of Jesus Christ and of the early church must be the guides for Christian mission,” church leaders wrote.

“Christian witness is always a sharing in his witness, which takes the form of proclamation of the kingdom, service to neighbor and the total gift of self even if that act of giving leads to the cross.”

The document “Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World” was issued jointly on June 28 by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the World Council of Churches and the World Evangelical Alliance.

The Catholic Church invented what?... Wait a minute...

Written in HONOR of the FEAST of the SACRED HEART OF JESUS 1-JULY-2011, First Friday.

Catholic Church in Kottakavu, Kerala, India

The Catholic Church invented the doctrine of the Trinity? Because it's not in the Bible?

Hey, wait a minute, did the Catholic Church also invent the Bible? It's not even in the Bible itself.

The reason why I am up against the INC because its members are sooooooo anti-Catholic that they spread rumors, deceiving lies and ill-mannered information about "the Catholic Church" which according to their own Official Magazine PASUGO April 1966, p. 46 is the "true Church of Christ.".

Now here's the deal.  Don't fret out. It's something shared knowledge among INC members. When they attended the "Indoctrination" they should end up HATING the Catholic Church and all its practices. And to some extremes, they are brainwashed to hate Catholics as well. And the only ultimate good deeds they can do is to bring more Catholics to their fold. That's the reason why they should TELL LIES so that those Catholics by name (uncathechized few) will be confused and will hate the Catholic Church.

And before someone would accuse me of insinuating hatred among the INC members, see it for yourself why I shouldn't be getting upset with repeated  sharing of MISINFORMATION, in forums and even in Facebook by member of the Iglesia ni Manalo?  Because the origin of this post is a bonafide anti-Catholic member of the Iglesia founded by Felix Manalo by his motto "REVENNGE (RESBAK.com)", let us hammer their heretical views and bigoted opinion about the Holy Mother Church. Let us join together and stop their malices, lies and deceit from infecting others.

Here we go:

Conrad Resbak

http://resbak.com/blog/doctrinal-comparison-iglesia-ni-cristo-vs-roman-catholic-church/

Here you’ll see the difference in the doctrines adhered to and practiced by the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) and the Roman Catholic church and how they compare to teachings found in the bible. Here we go:

Muslims should learn to reciprocate

Archbishop Hashem discussed the
Saudi talks whilst visiting Qatar
(Source: BBC News)

BBC, -The Vatican is holding talks with Saudi Arabia on building the first church in the kingdom, where some 1.5m Christians are not allowed to worship publicly.

Archbishop Paul-Mounged el-Hachem, one of Pope Benedict XVI's most senior Middle East representatives, said the discussions had begun a few weeks ago.

But the archbishop cautioned that the Vatican could not predict the outcome.

The discussions come in the wake of King Abdullah's historic meeting with the Pope at the Vatican last November.