Iglesia ni Cristo: United for a wrong reason

Thanks to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for the article IGLESIA NI CRISTO, ‘A Most Powerful Union’ for this very helpful article:

This is how the Iglesia ni Cristo respond to Christ's universal call to mission.

At the most basic level, the INC provides for the welfare needs of its flock, such as jobs and housing for its poorest members. The INC is run like a tightly knit family, where members look out for one other. It also offers the rewards of the other life, promising that as sure as the soaring turrets of the Iglesia's Gothic-style churches pierce the sky, salvation will be granted believers.

At the same time, the 88-year old INC is a shrewd political and business operator. It parlays the votes of its members for political and financial concessions to the church.

And how do they track their "apostolic" beginning? It all started in 1914 through its founder Felix Manalo passed it on to his own kin and that's how they trace their origin to the times of the Apostles.

Iglesia doctrine is based on the Bible and the "prophetic interpretations" of church founder Felix Y. Manalo, who left both the Catholic and the Protestant churches before founding [his own] the INC in 1914.

Manalo's son Eraño is now the powerful executive minister of the church, while grandson Eduardo is deputy executive minister. They and 11 other senior ministers compose the "Central Administration," which issue edicts that church members are compelled to follow.

As the "original" Church of Christ re-established in the Philippines, the only way they can reach out to those in far away places unable to hear Erano Manalo's pastoral teachings to save mankind is by a piece of Magazine called "Pasugo" which is made available only to its Ministers after they paid the rightful amount and in turn were given as free copies to every prospect INC converts. They don't have official published books, catechism, nor do they have official website for their own. They seem to hide something terribly bad from their teachings that they prefer to keep them for themselves.

Pasugo, the church's official publication, asserts the church's fundamental
article of faith: that INC members constitute "the elect of God" and that God
listens to them alone. To them, there is no salvation outside the Iglesia.

And how we can quickly see the unity of their church? Through election.

As Fernando Elesterio wrote in a dissertation submitted to De la Salle University: "It is this exclusivist attitude, generated naturally by the teachings of the ministers, that bestows on the members a sense of security and even of pride in their organization."

INC claims to have 2 million members of voting age, although pollster Felipe Miranda believes that the actual figure is closer to 1 to 1.5 million. At the national level, this bloc is a strategic swing vote, especially in multiparty electoral contests for the Senate. It is a swing vote for the presidential race as well, but only if there are multiple candidates. At the local level, especially in Luzon, the Iglesia command vote could determine the fate of a candidate.

As a Corporation Sole meant for business.

The INC exercises its clout outside the realm of politics as well. In 1998, a big commercial bank sued the church in a dispute over property that had been offered for sale to both the bank and the INC.

The bank had acquired the land earlier, but a relative of INC Executive Minister Erano "Erdie" Manalo brokered its sale to the church, unaware of the earlier transaction.

"The church felt insulted it was being sued in court," an influential INC member said. "You don't go to court or go public at once. Usually, you call up the Iglesia first."

Stung by the lawsuit, church leaders ordered all their members employed by the bank to resign and called on all the faithful to pull their money out of the bank. The bank lost P1 billion. In time, the case was settled amicably, with the bank properly advised never to cross the INC in public or in court again.

Over the years, the INC's business interests have grown. A search at the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that INC leaders are incorporators and board directors in companies engaged in education (New Era University Inc.; Global Foundation for the New Era); medical care (New Era General Hospital; Felix Manalo Puericulture and Maternity Clinic), mass media (Scan Society of Communicators; Association of Christians in IT); manufacturing (Hi Mill Corporation); construction (Ramdustrial Corp.); and legal service (Christian Lawyers Association Foundation).

Former Justice Secretary Serafin Cuevas, one of Estrada's defense lawyer and a senior INC member, is a trustee of the New Era University and officer of Amalgamated Management and Development Corp., which has secured the contracts for production of driver's licenses, identification cards, and motor vehicle plates from the Marcos to the Estrada regimes.

The INC is trying to wangle tax-exemption deals as well. In 2000, the Montalban municipal assessor declared the 29 hectares of church lands used for housing to be taxable, and three hectares for the chapel, exempted from taxes. The assessor estimated that the INC would have to pay some P5 million in taxes.
The church, however, refused, arguing that the INC project was not meant for profit and should therefore be tax-exempt. The INC leaders also wrote personal letters to Rizal Gov. Rebecca Ynares, who endorsed the matter to Montalban Mayor Pedro Cuerpo.

Former Rizal Provincial Assessor Oscar Baraquero denied the request, saying "the housing project which you claimed for charitable and philanthropic effort does not squarely fall under the provisions of the law, as these are intended solely for the members of INC…the term charitable is an act of humanity without distinction or limitations as to religious belief, creed or social affiliation."

The tax debate has been raised to the Department of Finance for decision.
Meanwhile, Montalban officials are in a quandary. The INC has dangled before them the fact that they have many voters in the municipality. "'Yung pwersa ng boto nila ang panlaban nila," said one local official. "Maraming takot diyan sa Iglesia. (They use their votes as bait and many are afraid of them.)"

INC members have also barred DENR inspectors from entering the other phases of the Montalban project. One inspector said he feared asserting himself because INC members are armed.

Is this the church you believe its Christ's?

Where art thou my brothers?

After Afghanistan, the battle ground between the civilized world and the notorious Taliban Islamic extremists shifted to Swat in Pakistan. Heavily mortared the remaining Taliban fighters are vowing to fight till the end. (Read News from Dawn News)

Pakistan is a Islamic Democratic State while Taliban doesn't recognize any democratic government apart from a government ruled by Shariah. But the Shariah styled government of the Taliban in former Afghanistan was contrary to the Sharia styled paternal monarchical government of Saudi Arabia where women were strictly reduced to commodities and "sex-slaves" by their male partners completely covered in burqa where only small dots were provided for seeing the outside world.

Today, there are many displaced Pakistani Muslims from Swat Valley in need of food, medicine and something to wear. Children, aged human beings and women squabble in queue for hours only to find no food at the end of the line. Desperate, the Western world which Muslims are not very much comfortable with was among the first that came to extend a helping hand and I am wondering where are those good Muslims who were noisy about the "innocent" victims during Gaza siege. These are the same human beings like Gazans and majority are Muslims.

Where are the rich royal families of Saudis? Where are the Hezbollah of Jordan? Where is Iran? Where is Syria, the rich leaders of the United Arab Emirates? Where are the Qataris? The Bahrainis?

Where are thou brothers when they needed you most?

For now let the British, the UE, and the USA and it's allies help.

Photo Credit: AFP through Dawn News

Tamimi, Unrepentant for His Unbecoming Attitude!

Remember the very unbecoming attitude of a supposedly respectable men robed in a "holy" clothes two days ago? Sheik Tamimi is one of the most disrespectable representative of Muslims in Palestine and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and he has disgraced himself by behaving very rudely from the rest of the respectable guests and visitors in Pope Benedict XVI's "peace" initiative to bridge differences. Thanks to JihadWatch for providing us a comprehensive story about this very "unbecoming attitude" of supposedly "a espectable" Muslim man.:

JERUSALEM — A Muslim cleric who commandeered the stage at a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI to rail against Israel's harsh treatment of Palestinians said Tuesday he spoke out because he was representing Islam.

Vatican officials criticized Sheik Taysir Tamimi's five-minute speech Monday evening at what had been billed as an interfaith meeting. It was the first political controversy played out in Benedict's presence on his five-day Holy Land pilgrimage.

Tamimi said organizers had not allotted him speaking time, though he was seated on the stage, and he simply righted a wrong by walking up to the podium to address the pope. A rabbi at the meeting was also not scheduled to speak.

"I wanted to express the suffering of our people and to show the occupation's procedures against the Palestinian people," Tamimi told The Associated Press. "If I represent Islam at a meeting for dialogue and I don't speak, am I just a piece of furniture?" (Read more in Newsvine)

And I guess that's the reason why he was not given a time to address the Pope for that same reason of having a rude attitude, today nor in the future.

Photo Credit: NewsVine

Pope's Historical Homily in the Valley of Kidron

The Pope delivered his historical homily while celebratig the Holy Mass in the Valley of Kidron. These texts were shared to us from Catholic Online: Thanks and God bless.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

“Christ is risen, alleluia!” With these words I greet you with immense affection. I thank Patriarch Fouad Twal for his words of welcome on your behalf, and before all else I express my joy at being able to celebrate this Eucharist with you, the Church in Jerusalem. We are gathered beneath the Mount of Olives, where our Lord prayed and suffered, where he wept for love of this City and the desire that it should know “the path to peace” (Lk 19:42), and whence he returned to the Father, giving his final earthly blessing to his disciples and to us.

Today let us accept this blessing. He gives it in a special way to you, dear brothers and sisters, who stand in an unbroken line with those first disciples who encountered the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread, those who experienced the outpouring of the Spirit in the Upper Room and those who were converted by the preaching of Saint Peter and the other apostles. My greeting also goes to all those present, and in a special way to those faithful of the Holy Land who for various reasons were not able to be with us today.

As the Successor of Saint Peter, I have retraced his steps in order to proclaim the Risen Christ in your midst, to confirm you in the faith of your fathers, and to invoke upon you the consolation which is the gift of the Paraclete. Standing before you today, I wish to acknowledge the difficulties, the frustration, and the pain and suffering which so many of you have endured as a result of the conflicts which have afflicted these lands, and the bitter experiences of displacement which so many of your families have known and – God forbid – may yet know.

I hope my presence here is a sign that you are not forgotten, that your persevering presence and witness are indeed precious in God’s eyes and integral to the future of these lands. Precisely because of your deep roots in this land, your ancient and strong Christian culture, and your unwavering trust in God’s promises, you, the Christians of the Holy Land, are called to serve not only as a beacon of faith to the universal Church, but also as a leaven of harmony, wisdom and equilibrium in the life of a society which has traditionally been, and continues to be, pluralistic, multiethnic and multireligious.

In today’s second reading, the Apostle Paul tells the Colossians to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1). His words resound with particular force here, beneath the Garden of Gethsemani, where Jesus accepted the chalice of suffering in complete obedience to the Father’s will, and where, according to tradition, he ascended to the right hand of the Father to make perpetual intercession for us, the members of his Body. Saint Paul, the great herald of Christian hope, knew the cost of that hope, its price in suffering and persecution for the sake of the Gospel, yet he never wavered in his conviction that Christ’s resurrection was the beginning of a new creation. As he tells us: “When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, you too will be revealed with him in glory!” Col 3:4).

Paul’s exhortation to “set our minds on the things that are above” must constantly echo in our hearts. His words point us to the fulfilment of faith’s vision in that heavenly Jerusalem where, in fidelity to the ancient prophecies, God will wipe away the tears from every eye, and prepare a banquet of salvation for all peoples (cf. Is 25:6-8; Rev 21:2-4).

This is the hope, this the vision, which inspires all who love this earthly Jerusalem to see her as a prophecy and promise of that universal reconciliation and peace which God desires for the whole human family. Sadly, beneath the walls of this same City, we are also led to consider how far our world is from the complete fulfilment of that prophecy and promise. In this Holy City where life conquered death, where the Spirit was poured out as the first-fruits of the new creation, hope continues to battle despair, frustration and cynicism, while the peace which is God’s gift and call continues to be threatened by selfishness, conflict, division and the burden of past wrongs.

For this reason, the Christian community in this City which beheld the resurrection of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit must hold fast all the more to the hope bestowed by the Gospel, cherishing the pledge of Christ’s definitive victory over sin and death, bearing witness to the power of forgiveness, and showing forth the Church’s deepest nature as the sign and sacrament of a humanity reconciled, renewed and made one in Christ, the new Adam.

Gathered beneath the walls of this city, sacred to the followers of three great religions, how can we not turn our thoughts to Jerusalem’s universal vocation? Heralded by the prophets, this vocation also emerges as an indisputable fact, a reality irrevocably grounded in the complex history of this city and its people. Jews, Muslims and Christians alike call this city their spiritual home. How much needs to be done to make it truly a “city of peace” for all peoples, where all can come in pilgrimage in search of God, and hear his voice, “a voice which speaks of peace” (cf. Ps 85:8)!

Jerusalem, in fact, has always been a city whose streets echo with different languages, whose stones are trod by people of every race and tongue, whose walls are a symbol of God’s provident care for the whole human family. As a microcosm of our globalized world, this City, if it is to live up to its universal vocation, must be a place which teaches universality, respect for others, dialogue and mutual understanding; a place where prejudice, ignorance and the fear which fuels them, are overcome by honesty, integrity and the pursuit of peace.

There should be no place within these walls for narrowness, discrimination, violence and injustice. Believers in a God of mercy – whether they identify themselves as Jews, Christians or Muslims – must be the first to promote this culture of reconciliation and peace, however painstakingly slow the process may be, and however burdensome the weight of past memories.

Here I would like to speak directly to the tragic reality – which cannot fail to be a source of concern to all who love this City and this land – of the departure of so many members of the Christian community in recent years. While understandable reasons lead many, especially the young, to emigrate, this decision brings in its wake a great cultural and spiritual impoverishment to the City.

Today I wish to repeat what I have said on other occasions: in the Holy Land there is room for everyone! As I urge the authorities to respect, to support and to value the Christian presence here, I also wish to assure you of the solidarity, love and support of the whole Church and of the Holy See.

Dear friends, in the Gospel we have just heard, Saint Peter and Saint John run to the empty tomb, and John, we are told, “saw and believed” (Jn 20:8). Here in the Holy Land, with the eyes of faith, you, together with the pilgrims from throughout the world who throng its churches and shrines, are blessed to “see” the places hallowed by Christ’s presence, his earthly ministry, his passion, death and resurrection, and the gift of his Holy Spirit.

Here, like the Apostle Saint Thomas, you are granted the opportunity to “touch” the historical realities which underlie our confession of faith in the Son of God. My prayer for you today is that you continue, day by day, to “see and believe” in the signs of God’s providence and unfailing mercy, to “hear” with renewed faith and hope the consoling words of the apostolic preaching, and to “touch” the sources of grace in the sacraments, and to incarnate for others their pledge of new beginnings, the freedom born of forgiveness, the interior light and peace which can bring healing and hope to even the darkest of human realities.

In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, pilgrims in every century have venerated the stone which tradition tells us stood before the entrance to the tomb on the morning of Christ’s resurrection. Let us return frequently to that empty tomb. There let us reaffirm our faith in the victory of life, and pray that every “heavy stone” that stands before the door of our hearts, blocking our complete surrender to the Lord in faith, hope and love, may be shattered by the power of the light and life which shone forth from Jerusalem to all the world that first Easter morn. Christ is risen, alleluia! He is truly risen, alleluia!

In the Name of God, the Compassionate! The Most Merciful God!

Photos below were forwarded to me by a friend in the office (Regie Bantog) which I was moved with pity. These undated photos were said to be taken from Iran. Looking from the photos, it was not the boy's nature to steal but he was a victim of his society's illness and greed that he had no food to survive the day. Unable to quench his immense hunger for food, he took a piece of bread. Because of that mistake, his hand was literally cut off and the process was very inhuman!

Thugs of self proclaimed "righteous" people in his society, instead of giving him life, they punished him for a sin which he had no control of!

In the name of God, the most merciful! The Most Compassionate!

CONVERT’S RELIGIOUS RIGHTS CASE THREATENS ISLAMISTS

There's a growing fear among Christians living in Egypt from Islamists who threatened them while those Muslims converting to Christianity were forced to hide. From Compass Direct:

To date no Christian convert in Egypt has obtained a baptismal certificate, which amounts to official proof of conversion.

Churches fear that issuing such certificates would create a severe backlash. As a result, converts cannot apply for a change of religion on their ID, but El-Gohary was able to travel abroad to get a baptismal certificate from a well-established church. In April a Coptic Cairo-based priest recognized this certificate and issued him a letter of acceptance, or “conversion certificate,” welcoming him to the Coptic Orthodox community.

El-Gohary’s baptismal certificate caused a fury among the nation’s Islamic lobby, as it led to the first official church recognition of a convert. A number of fatwas (religious edicts) have since been issued against El-Gohary and Father Matthias Nasr Manqarious, the priest who helped him.

“The converts have no chance to travel, to leave, to get asylum, so we have to help them to get documents for their new religion,” Fr. Manqarious told Compass by telephone. “So I decided to help Maher El-Gohary and others like him. They can’t live as Christians in broad daylight.”

For several months El-Gohary has been in hiding, relying on others to meet his basic needs. When Compass spoke with him by phone earlier this month, he said he lives in fear for his life and worries about his 14-year-old daughter’s safety.

“I’m hiding. Someone brings me my food and water. I haven’t gone out in a week,” said El-Gohary. “Many Muslims and sheikhs … say if anyone sees Maher Gohary, he must kill him. My life is very difficult.”

His original case, filed in August of last year, included an attempt to change the religious affiliation on his teenage daughter’s ID, but he later dropped it after further legal consultation. El-Gohary said that when radical Muslims recognize his daughter on the streets, they warn her that they will kill her father when they find him.

“She’s afraid for me,” he said.

His church acceptance letter has re-kindled discussion of a bill proposed by parliamentary members affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, a hard-line Islamist opposition movement, which would make apostasy punishable by death, said El-Gohary’s lawyers. Human rights experts, however, say that such a bill does not stand a chance in the Egyptian Parliament and is primarily a smokescreen to induce fear in Egypt’s Christian converts from Islam.

(Read more at EGYPT: CONVERT’S RELIGIOUS RIGHTS CASE THREATENS ISLAMISTS)and let's remember them in our prayers and offer sacrifices for them. May God, the compassionate, the benevolent, the merciful have pity on them.

Pope's Past Mandatory "Hitler's Army" Clouded His Message of Peace and Love

The enemies of peace and the disciples of division are trying to project a "bad Pope" by bringing up the Holy Father's past membership in the army of Hitler which was a mandatory obligation for every legal aged German during those times. The power of Hitler was great that no one could oppose that command from Hitler himself. And if they can't understand that, they need to scan pages of history and confirm if it's true that all German youths at a right age should be members of Hitler's army.

And I detest all these besmirch allegations against a man whose noble intention is to bridge people to peace and reconciliation. May God bless the Pope and those who persecute him and the Chruch.

JERUSALEM, MAY 12, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Vatican spokesman is clarifying that young Joseph Ratzinger's mandatory enrollment with Hitler's youth organization "had no role in his life."

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, responded to a flurry of criticism that arose in the Israeli press after the Pope's visit Monday to the Yad Vashem.

Among the issues dredged up was Joseph Ratzinger's relationship with the Nazis. Even an Israeli government official was quoted as making much of the Holy Father's nationality: "The Pope [at Yad Vashem] spoke like a historian, as somebody observing from the sidelines, about things that shouldn't happen. But what can you do? He was part of them," said Parliament speaker Reuven Rivlin.

Others took issue with the Pope having used the word "killed" instead of "murdered," and other similar points.

This led Father Lombardi to say at a press conference today in Jerusalem, "I have read something that is not true. The Pope never, never formed part of the Hitlerjugend, which was a corps of fanatic and ideological volunteers."

The spokesman later clarified his own statement because the Pope's enrollment in the Hitler Youth was explained by Joseph Ratzinger himself in "Salt of the Earth." There he says he was automatically enrolled in the organization, though he did not participate in it.

In the book, Cardinal Ratzinger explains: "Q: Were you in the Hitler Youth?
"A: At first we weren't, but when the compulsory Hitler Youth was introduced in 1941, my brother was obliged to join. I was still too young, but later, as a seminarian, I was registered in the HY.

"As soon as I was out of the seminary, I never went back. And that was difficult, because of the tuition reduction, which I really needed, was tied to proof of attendance at the HY.

(Read more at Zenit.org!)

Speech of the Holy Father at the Dome of the Rock (Al Quds)

Courtesy visit to the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (Text from EWTN Live Coverage of the Pope's Middle East Peace Pilgrimage)

Dear Muslim Friends,

As-salámu ‘aláikum! Peace upon you!

I cordially thank the Grand Mufti, Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, together with the Director of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, Sheikh Mohammed Azzam al-Khatib al-Tamimi, and the Head of the Awquaf Council, Sheikh Abdel Azim Salhab, for the welcome they have extended to me on your behalf. I am deeply grateful for the invitation to visit this sacred place, and I willingly pay my respects to you and the leaders of the Islamic community in Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock draws our hearts and minds to reflect upon the mystery of creation and the faith of Abraham. Here the paths of the world’s three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common. Each believes in One God, creator and ruler of all. Each recognizes Abraham as a forefather, a man of faith upon whom God bestowed a special blessing. Each has gained a large following throughout the centuries and inspired a rich spiritual, intellectual and cultural patrimony.

In a world sadly torn by divisions, this sacred place serves as a stimulus, and also challenges men and women of goodwill to work to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts of the past and to set out on the path of a sincere dialogue aimed at building a world of justice and peace for coming generations.

Since the teachings of religious traditions ultimately concern the reality of God, the meaning of life, and the common destiny of mankind – that is to say, all that is most sacred and dear to us – there may be a temptation to engage in such dialogue with reluctance or ambivalence about its possibilities for success. Yet we can begin with the belief that the One God is the infinite source of justice and mercy, since in him the two exist in perfect unity. Those who confess his name are entrusted with the task of striving tirelessly for righteousness while imitating his forgiveness, for both are intrinsically oriented to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of the human family.

For this reason, it is paramount that those who adore the One God should show themselves to be both grounded in and directed towards the unity of the entire human family. In other words, fidelity to the One God, the Creator, the Most High, leads to the recognition that human beings are fundamentally interrelated, since all owe their very existence to a single source and are pointed towards a common goal. Imprinted with the indelible image of the divine, they are called to play an active role in mending divisions and promoting human solidarity.

This places a grave responsibility upon us. Those who honor the One God believe that he will hold human beings accountable for their actions. Christians assert that the divine gifts of reason and freedom stand at the basis of this accountability. Reason opens the mind to grasp the shared nature and common destiny of the human family, while freedom moves the heart to accept the other and serve him in charity. Undivided love for the One God and charity towards ones neighbor thus become the fulcrum around which all else turns. This is why we work untiringly to safeguard human hearts from hatred, anger or vengeance.

Dear friends, I have come to Jerusalem on a journey of faith. I thank God for this occasion to meet you as the Bishop of Rome and Successor of the Apostle Peter, but also as a child of Abraham, by whom "all the families of the earth find blessing" (Gen 12:3; cf. Rom 4:16-17). I assure you of the Church’s ardent desire to cooperate for the well-being of the human family. She firmly believes that the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham is universal in scope, embracing all men and women regardless of provenance or social status. As Muslims and Christians further the respectful dialogue they have already begun, I pray that they will explore how the Oneness of God is inextricably tied to the unity of the human family. In submitting to his loving plan for creation, in studying the law inscribed in the cosmos and implanted in the human heart, in reflecting upon the mysterious gift of God’s self-revelation, may all his followers continue to keep their gaze fixed on his absolute goodness, never losing sight of the way it is reflected in the faces of others.

With these thoughts, I humbly ask the Almighty to grant you peace and to bless all the beloved people of this region. May we strive to live in a spirit of harmony and cooperation, bearing witness to the One God by generously serving one another. Thank you!

Thank you Eternal Word Television Network for covering the Pope's travel to the Middle East. May God continuously bless you financially so that His Words can reach to the farthest parts of the earth.

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Photo Credit: Islam and the West Blog

PressTV Against the Pope?

The one-sided Iranian News agency played dirty again against the Pope.

The Catholic leader's silence on Israel's January offensive on Gaza comes as a four-man United Nations investigation panel recently blamed Israel for its "reckless disregard" for human life during the war on Gaza. (Source: PressTV)

This accusation was a blatant lie on the side of the bias PressTV. In fact, the Holy Father repeatedly condemned the violence hurled by both Israel and Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip without siding to anyone.

Here's the news from Catholic Online News:

Benedict XVI Calls for Condemnation of Violence

"VATICAN CITY (Zenit) - Violence -- whatever its source and form -- must be condemned, Benedict XVI is affirming.

The Pope said this today in the context of mentioning the war in the Gaza Strip, during a traditional annual address to the members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. The Holy See has diplomatic relations with 177 nations.

In his French-language address, the Pontiff once again took the opportunity to condemn the violence in the Middle East, something he has already done on repeated occasions in recent days.

"The birth of Christ in the lowly stable of Bethlehem leads us naturally to think of the situation in the Middle East and, in the first place, in the Holy Land, where, in these days, we have witnessed a renewed outbreak of violence provoking immense damage and suffering for the civilian population," he said.

Benedict XVI lamented that the situation "further complicates" the quest for a settlement of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, "something fervently desired by many of them and by the whole world."

He affirmed: "Once again I would repeat that military options are no solution and that violence, wherever it comes from and whatever form it takes, must be firmly condemned. I express my hope that, with the decisive commitment of the international community, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will be re-established -- an indispensable condition for restoring acceptable living conditions to the population -- and that negotiations for peace will resume, with the rejection of hatred, acts of provocation and the use of arms."

The Pope condemned every terroristic attack to innocent civilians from Palestine to Iraq, to Philippines and to other parts of the world where the threat of terrorism is thriving and constant.

Instead, what we never heard from Iran and other Muslim countries is the same level of denunciation of terrorists killing non-Muslims in the name of Islam. Their silence is extremely deafening!

I hope PressTV holds on to the highest level of professionalism and accuracy in their newscasting.

Photos of a Thousand Words

An Israeli man fixing Vatican Flags on sticks in a textile factory a day before the Pope's arrival in Jordan. (Source: Getty Images)

A Palestinian artist Walid Ayyoub draws sketch of the Pope on 10 May 2009. (Source: Reuters)

The Holy Father backdrops a poster of Jordanian King Abdullah II.

The Holy Father with King Abdullah II and his wife Queen Rania

A Palestinian welcoming the Pope by painting his message on a wall separating them from the rest of the world. (Source: Associated Press Photo)

For thorough update, visit American Catholic Blog.

Pope Voices Esteem for Churches in the East

AMMAN, Jordan - Eastern Churches offer a treasure of avenues to bring others to Christ through their ancient living traditions, says Benedict XVI.

In a homily delivered today at the celebration of Vespers in the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of St. George, the Pope addressed leaders of Catholic Churches in the Near East.

Among those present were Gregorios III Laham, the Greek Melkite Patriarch from Damascus, Emeritus Archbishop Georges El-Murr and Archbishop Yasser Ayyach of Petra and Philadelphia, and leaders from the Maronite, Syrian, Armenian, Chaldean and Latin Churches. Archbishop Benediktos Tsikoras of the Greek Orthodox Church was also in attendance.

The Holy Father expressed his sincere thanks for the "opportunity to pray with you and to experience something of the richness of our liturgical traditions."

"The Church herself is a pilgrim people and thus, through the centuries, has been marked by determinant historical events and pervading cultural epochs," the Pope remarked. "Sadly, some of these have included times of theological dispute or periods of repression."

"Others, however, have been moments of reconciliation -- marvelously strengthening the communion of the Church -- and times of rich cultural revival, to which Eastern Christians have contributed so greatly," he continued.

"Particular Churches," the Pope explained, "within the universal Church attest to the dynamism of her earthly journey and manifest to all members of the faithful a treasure of spiritual, liturgical, and ecclesiastical traditions which point to God's universal goodness and his will, seen throughout history, to draw all into his divine life..." (Read more at Catholic Online News or at Zenit.org)

Church and Jews share 'inseparable bond' says Pope

AMMAN, Jordan – Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday that his visit to the Middle East was a reminder of the "inseparable bond" between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people, a relationship that has been strained at times under his leadership.

The pope spoke from Mount Nebo, the wind-swept hill overlooking the Jordan valley from where the Bible says Moses saw the Promised Land. The sun broke through the morning mist just before the pope arrived at the site on the second day of a weeklong visit to the Middle East that will also take him to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

"May our encounter today inspire in us a renewed love for the canon of sacred scripture and a desire to overcome all obstacles to the reconciliation of Christians and Jews in mutual respect and cooperation in the service of that peace to which the word of God calls us," said the German-born Benedict..." (Read more at Yahoo!News)

Human Rights Against Islamic Terrorism!

When the world did nothing, millions of Jews were killed by Nazis. When we don't confront this present "evil" of terrorism, soon there will be no Jews, no Catholics, no Christians, no Shieks, no Hindus, no Buddhists, no other religion except Islam. This is the right time for all human beings to act and condemn Jihadists and Islamist terrorists!

Other Intolerant News:

SOMALIA: CHRISTIAN AID WORKER BEHEADED FOR CONVERTING FROM ISLAM

Pope expresses respect for Islam in Jordan

AMMAN, Jordan – Pope Benedict XVI began his first trip to the Middle East on Friday, expressing his "deep respect" for Islam and hopes that the Catholic Church would be a force for peace in the region as he treaded carefully following past missteps with Muslims and Jews.

The pope was given a red-carpet welcome at the airport by Jordan's King Abdullah II and Queen Rania and praised the moderate Arab country as a leader in efforts to promote peace and dialogue between Christians and Muslims. An honor guard wearing traditional red- and white-checkered headscarfs played bagpipes and waved Jordanian and Vatican flags..." (Read Yahoo!News for more)

The Pope had arrvied in Jordan

The Holy Father had arrived Jordan as it was earlier scheduled. He was met by Jordan's King and Queen His Royal Highness King Abdullah II and Her Royal Highness Queen Rania, later he headed a Catholic Church where he have prayed.

Unable to access EWTN Live Coverage via satellite, I have to switch channels between CNN and BBC which are "western" media but they are busy reporting about their own political and economic concerns that they did little coverage. For about an hour since he met Jordan's political leaders, CNN and BBC are nowhere to be found. (They came out with the coverage two hours very LATEr).

So I switched between channels that focus on the Middle East, the Al-Jazeera in Doha, Qatar and PressTV in Iran. While I was optimistic about the Papal Trip, but the media through Al-Jazeera was focusing on something else-- igniting the old issues on the Pope's comments in University of Regensburg

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

The Pope's commentaries were taken from the passage originally appeared in the “Dialogue Held With A Certain Persian, the Worthy Mouterizes, in Anakara of Galatia”, written in 1391 as an expression of the views of the Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus, one of the last Christian rulers before the Fall of Constantinople to the Muslim Ottoman Empire, on such issues as forced conversion, holy war, and the relationship between faith and reason."

Among those who propagated the lies and the misunderstanding about his quotation were Islamists leaders and right winged politicians who wanted war between religions and races rather than peace and co-existence. In particular, the Pope's commentaries was seen and understood by Muslims and Islamists as painting "Islam as a violent religion". The agitation went for more than weeks leaving many dead including killing Christians and priests in retaliation to the commentaries as they want to paint Islam as a religion of peace.

Look at how Al-Jazeera's choices of words:

"Even the pontiff’s own Catholic diminishing flock in the Holy Land seems in controversy over the timing and the itinerary of his pilgrimage. "We will ask him why he came, what he intends on saying … and why he isn't coming to Gaza," Father Manuel Mussalam, the pastor of the only Catholic church of about 300 believers in Gaza, out of 3000 Christians in the Israeli besieged Mediterranean strip, was quoted by AFP as asking. "We'll tell him that this is not the right moment to come and visit the holy places, while Jerusalem is occupied," Mussalam added." (Source: Al-Jazeera)

Yes, diminishing Christians due to Islamist's threats and the passivity of moderate Muslims contributed to that fact! What a pessimistic view!

PressTV has more on the negative side of the Papal Trip:

"The present Vatican pope is the one who issued severe insults to Islam and did not offer any apology to the Muslims," Zaki Bani Rusheid, head of the Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's largest mainstream Islamist party, told Reuters.

"Ignoring Muslim sentiments will only block the healing of wounds his statements caused," said another Islamist figure, Jamil Abu Baker.

For many Arabs in the region, the pope's stated mission of peace and reconciliation is futile without a sufficient gesture to Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation.

The Islamists said the pope faced a tougher task in the May 8-15 trip than his predecessor Pope John Paul, whose historic journey in 2000 was hailed by Jews and Muslims alike.

"What is needed from the pope is to have the courage to apologize," Bani Rusheid said. Benedict has expressed regret for misunderstandings over Regensburg but not for the speech itself."
Source: PressTV

Rather what we really need is a supporting hand from peaceful Muslims, building friendship and tolerance rather than war and jihad.

That's all for now and let's continue pray for the Holy Father's peace pilgrimage to the "un-Holy Land".

For UPDATES, please visit Papal MidEast Visit.

Papal Middle East Pilgrimage

Today, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit one of the "unsafest" place on earth next to Iraq which all monotheistic religions claim "HOLY LAND". Intense preparation is ongoing from Jordan to Palestine to Israel and all people how have been deprived of peaceful co-existence with their neighbors are eager to meet him hoping against all hope that through this historical visit of a dignified man of God they would be seeing a dawning day for a new Middle East.

I use to watch live updates from EWTN but our satellite doesn't have the right frequency so I have to rely on Arabic TV news channels for streaming live coverage which I am not sure if gian news TV channels would make it available for us to see ever detail of his Middles East trip.

Among the preparations way ahead his arrival are the cities where he'd be passing by. The American Catholic made a special blog entirely covering Pope Benedict XVI's visit. The owner of the blog already uploaded very touching photos on how Arabs are going to welcome the Holy Father (see it here).

In the meantime I need to keep my internet line open for fresh updates. While we're watching, let's pray with the Holy Father that this pilgrimage visit will foster love, respect and tolerance among our elder brethren--the Jews and our younger brethren-- the Muslims.

Shalom!

Salam!

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Here's the Schedule of Live TV Coverage by EWTN:

ARRIVAL AND VISIT TO THE REGINA PACIS CENTER (2hr)
Pope Benedict XVI begins his visit to the Holy Land. He will arrive at Queen Alia airport in the Jordanian capital, Amman after which he will visit the Regina Pacis center.
Fri 5/08/09 7:30 AM ET / 4:30 AM PT LIVE
Fri 5/08/09 9:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM PT

VISIT TO THE KING AND QUEEN OF JORDAN (1hr)
Fri 5/08/09 10:30 AM ET / 7:30 AM PT LIVE
Fri 5/08/09 11:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM PT

MOUNT NEBO & MADABA ( 1 3/4 hrs)
In the morning he will visit the Memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo, and bless the cornerstone of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem's Madaba University. He will then visit the Hashemite Museum and the Mosque of al-Hussein bin Talal in Amman, and he will meet with Muslim religious leaders, the diplomatic corps and rectors of Jordanian universities.
Sat 5/09/09 2:15 AM ET / (Fri) 11:15 PM PT LIVE
Sat 5/09/09 1:00 PM ET/ 10 AM PT

POPE BENEDICT XVI IN THE HOLY LAND
MEETING WITH MUSLIM LEADERS (1 hr)
Sat 5/09/09 4:30 AM ET / 1:30 AM PT LIVE
Sat 5/09/09 4:00 PM ET / 1 PM PT

VESPERS (90 min)
Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration of Vespers with priests, religious, seminarians and ecclesial movements in the Greek-Melkite cathedral of St. George in Amman.
Sat 5/09/09 10:30 AM ET / 7:30 AM PT LIVE
Sat 5/09/09 6:00 PM ET / 3 PM PT

MASS IN AMMAN (2 1/2 hrs)
The Holy Father will celebrate Mass and pray the Regina Coeli at the international stadium in Amman.
Sun 5/10/09 3:00 AM ET / 12 AM PT LIVE
Sun 5/10/09 2:00 PM ET / 11 AM PT

BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN (90 mins)
The Holy Father will visit Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of the Lord's Baptism, where he will bless the cornerstones of the Latin and Greek-Melkite churches.
Sun 5/10/09 10:30 AM ET / 7:30 AM PT LIVE
Sun 5/10/09 9:00 PM ET / 6 PM PT

DEPARTURE FROM AMMAN (30 min)

Mon 5/11/09 3:00 AM ET/ 12 AM PT LIVE
Mon 5/11/09 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT

ARRIVAL IN ISRAEL (30 min)
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Tel Aviv, Israel, where the welcome ceremony is due to take place at Ben Gurion airport.
Mon 5/11/09 4:00 AM ET / 1 AM PT LIVE
Mon 5/11/09 5:00 PM / 2 PM PT

POPE BENEDICT XVI IN THE HOLY LAND

VISIT TO PRESIDENT SHIMON PERES (1hr)
The Holy Father makes a courtesy visit to the president of Israel at the presidential palace in Jerusalem.
Mon 5/11/09 9:00 AM ET/ 6 AM PT LIVE
Mon 5/11/09 5:30 PM ET/ 2:30 PM PT

YAD VASHEM (2 1/2 hrs)
Pope Benedict XVI will visit the Yad Vashem Memorial and hold a meeting with organizations for inter-religious dialogue at the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center.
Mon 5/11/09 10:30 AM ET/ 7:30 AM PT LIVE
Mon 5/11/09 8:00 PM ET/ 5 PM PT

DOME OF THE ROCK (4 hrs)
Pope Benedict XVI will visit the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount in Jerusalem and meet the Grand Mufti. He will also visit the Western Wall and meet with the two Chief Rabbis of Israel at the Hechal Shlomo Centre. At midday he is due to pray the Regina Coeli with ordinaries of the Holy Land in the Cenacle of Jerusalem and to make a brief visit to the co-cathedral of the Latins.

Tue 5/12/09 2:00 AM ET / (Mon) 11 PM PT LIVE
Tue 5/12/09 1:00 PM ET / 10 AM PT

MASS IN THE JOSAFAT VALLEY (2hrs)
Tue 5/12/09 9:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM PT
Tue 5/12/09 7:00 PM ET / 4 PM PT

MASS IN BETHLEHEM (3 hrs)
The Holy Father will deliver an address on the square in front of the presidential palace in Bethlehem then celebrate Mass in Manger Square
Wed 5/13/09 2:00 AM ET / (Tue) 11 PM LIVE
Wed 5/13/09 5:00 PM ET / 2 PM PT

CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY (4 hrs)
Pope Benedict XVI will visit the Grotto of the Nativity, and then will travel to the Caritas Baby Hospital and, shortly thereafter, to the Aida Refugee Camp, where he will deliver an address. He will then make a courtesy visit to the president of the Palestine National Authority in the presidential palace of Bethlehem, after which the departure ceremony will take place on the square in front of the palace.
Wed 5/13/09 8:30 AM ET / 5:30 AM PT LIVE
Wed 5/13/09 9:00 PM ET / 6 PM PT


MASS ON THE MOUNT OF PRECIPICE IN NAZARETH (2 hrs)
Thu 5/14/09 3:00 AM ET/ 12 AM PT LIVE
Thu 5/14/09 6:00 PM ET / 3 PM PT

MEETING WITH PM BENJAMIN NETANYAHU (3 hrs)
The Holy Father will meet the Israeli prime minister in the city's Franciscan convent, greet religious leaders of Galilee in the auditorium of the Basilica of the Annunciation. Later he will travel to the Grotto of the Annunciation where he will preside at Vespers with bishops, priests, religious, ecclesial movements and pastoral workers.
Thu 5/14/09 8:45 AM ET / 5:45 AM PT
Thu 5/14/09 9:00 PM ET / 6 PM PT

ECUMENICAL MEETING AND THE HOLY SEPULCHER (3hrs)
The Holy Father will attend an ecumenical meeting at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Afterwards he will visit the Holy Sepulchre and the Armenian patriarchal church of St. James in Jerusalem.
Fri 5/15/09 2:15 AM ET / (Thu) 11 PM PT LIVE
Fri 5/15/09 3:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM PT

DEPARTURE TO ROME (1hr)
Fri 5/15/09 6:30 AM ET/ 3:30 AM PT LIVE
Fri 5/15/09 11:00 PM ET/ 8 PM PT

New Swiss Guards to Protect Pope

From Zenit.org: "Today in the courtyard of the Vatican apostolic palace, 32 new recruits were added to the ranks of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, currently led by Commander Daniel Anrig."

Traditionally, the swearing of new Swiss Guards usually is done on the 6th of May because on this day many Swiss Guards sacrificed their lives to protecting Pope Clement VII in 1527 when Rome was sacked by Emperor Charles V.

According to Zenit.org, the swearing in was solemn, with Mass celebrated by the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone with their families present.

Coptic Christians Persecuted in Egypt

When will this over?

Christians are again the target of extremism and intolerance and among the persecuted Christians are the Copts of Egypt.

Since the Coptic Christians are a minority, they find it extremely difficult to live in an environment that is surrounded by intolerant Muslims. And if there are tolerant ones they are nowhere to be found or they just keep quiet.

Though Egypt’s constitution reflects the kind of tolerance they need to apply to other Egyptians, it usually not happening. Here’s what’s in their constitution has to say I’ve got from Catholic Online:

The Egyptian Constitution stipulates that all Egyptians are equal under the law. But the discrimination is widely practiced with sanction from the government. Areas of discrimination include but not limited to education, employment, freedom of religion, building churches, and parliamentary representation.

• Many colleges limit the enrollment of Copts by imposing a quota of 1 or 2 % while the Copts are about 15% of the populations. A total educational system, from elementary to college, called Al Azhar which is fully funded by all tax payers does not accept Copts as students or as teachers or administrators.
• Many high ranking jobs are out of reach of Copts. Examples are key police and security positions, mayors, police chiefs, deans of colleges, presidents of universities and most diplomatic positions.
• Christians who want to convert to Islam are welcomed with open arms, while Muslims who would like to convert to Christianity are usually imprisoned and tortured, some die from torture.
• Building churches still require a permit from regional governess for repairs. Building new churches still require approval of the President. Even when the president approves, the security apparatus must also investigate to see if the Muslim community would not object. If they object, the church may not be built. Many new communities don’t have churches. A permit to build a church could take as long as 20 years and may never be secured.
• Egypt’s Parliament has just two Coptic elected representatives; one of them was disqualified for holding dual citizenship. This is out of 444 total representatives, which amounts to less than ½ % of the total representatives. The president appoints few more Copts who owe their loyalty to the government rather than to the Coptic people.

In reality, hundreds of Christians including young girls and under aged are kidnapped, some raped and were forced to convert to Islam and marry Muslim men. Good Lord, where is God!

Who are the Copts ? According to Catholic Online

The word “Copt” is derived from the Greek word, “Ai-gypt-os” meaning Egypt. The middle part of the word “gypt” was later pronounced as “Copt” and used to mean Egyptian. From the time Egypt embraced Christianity in 54AD to the time Islam invaded Egypt in 642 AD, all people of Egypt were called Copts, After the Islamic invasion, some Copts embraced Islam and excluded themselves from the name. Those who remained faithful to their Christian faith clanged to their Coptic identity, and still do.

St. Mark preached the Gospel to Egyptians in 54 A.D., the same St. Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark. He was the first Patriarch of the 117 Coptic Patriarchs. He gave his life for the sake of the Church in 68 A.D. when he was “seized and dragged” with a rope tied on him “through the main streets of Alexandria.

Among the other great Theologians and saints, we have St. Clement of Alexandria and Origen.

Egypt was dominated by Christians during that time when in 642 A. D. Arabs led by Amr Bin Elas invaded Egypt and put an end to the Coptics mission to evangelize. Heavy Jizya taxes to non-Muslims was strictly imposed. Two things the Copts had to decide if they refuse Jizya, it’s either convert to Islam or die.

Historical records have it that many Copts died under the hands of Muslim invaders. As a result, most Copts fled from Egypt and lives scattered somewhere. Those who remained in Egypt were reduced to Dhimmitude (third class citizens under Islam). Because of the Arabization of Egyptians, their natural language was replaced by Arabic language so that the Coptic language is only used now in liturgy.

Today, our Coptic Christian brothers and sisters are being persecuted. Helpless, they turn to us for prayers and sacrifices that this discrimination they are encountering may come to an end and peacefully they can live with their Muslim brothers and sisters. But unless a single Muslim can’t realized the importance of living in peace with the Copts, soon our Coptic brothers and sister would be nowhere to be found in Egypt.

May God protects his Church. And let’s unite in prayers and pray for our persecutors.

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Other Readings:

Fr. Mattaos Unjustly Imprisoned in Egypt
Two Coptic Christians killed on Eve of Orthodox Pascha
Thousands of Muslims Attack Coptic Church in Cairo

Court decision to please Iglesia ni Cristo?

NewsBreak Online: The Iglesi ni Cristo cult in the Philippines won a court case against their fiercest rival in television bashing. The Supreme Court upholds the suspension of the ADD’s TV Program from airing after the Iglesia ni Cristo accused him of violating MTRCB’s rules. In response, Soriano challenged the MTRCB but the decision of the Supreme Court paved way for the celebration of the members of the cult of Mr. Manalo.

"In challenging the MTRCB ruling before the High Court, Soriano said it violated his constitutional right to free religion, speech and expression.

"He [Soriano] also argued that the MTRCB suspension is unconstitutional “in so far as it sanctions the censorship of religious programs as a form of subsequent punishment.” (Source: SC sustains suspension of Ang Dating Daan )

Soriano could be right. How many times the Iglesia ni Cristo demonized the Catholic Church in their Official Magazine Pasugo? And how about their Pandoktrina which was formulated by their cult founder bashing Catholics as satanic and the Catholic Church as the Church of the Devil? Of course the MTRCB can’t do anything for it’s not circulated in bookstores. They kept it locked inside their temples and they alone discuss it themselves and inject a little dosage of it to every indoctrinee which has been proven to be powerfully effective.

Eli Soriano is the present owner and manager of the program “Ang Dating Daan” [The Old Path] which has been known to many viewers as the “walking Bible” for he impresses members and non-members of having the absolute knowledge of the Bible although I am not impressed when he said that dinosaurs are not real because it’s not in the Bible.

Soriano was once a member of the cultic religion of Felix Manalo.

According to NewsBreak Online:

"Soriano, using colorful language, has been harshly criticizing the INC on his TV program. And for his diatribe against an Iglesia ni Cristo minister, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board suspended the ADD program for three months. The tribunal upheld that suspension.

"The ruling may not have been for purely for legal reasons, and Court insiders and observers believe that the INC had a hand in it. The ponente was Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., who is widely known to owe his appointment to the Supreme Court to the INC. We wrote before how Velasco secured the support of the INC to get the President to name him to the tribunal."

So this is our Philippine Supreme Court. It’s now the Supreme Court of the Iglesia ni Cristo
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Further Reading:
Stacking the Court

INC not meddling in Politics? Really, Oh C’mon!

Another inconsistency! Another lie!

This is why I love to collect scanned pages from their Official Pasugo because it’s full of inconsistencies. I started having interest with their Pasugo when I came across a booklet published by the Divine Word Publication which wasn’t anymore in circulation (Read The Truth About the Iglesia ni Cristo in series—What kept me glued in that little book was that ALL questions were taken from their Official Magazine Pasugo as well as the answers. It’s PASUGO vs. PASUGO.

Thanks to Iglesia ni Cristo Blog for publicly exposing another lie of which the author said “shameful”

Have a look:

PASUGO Vol. XXI, August, 1969, No. 8. “Sa pagkakaisang isinasagawa sa loob ng Iglesia ni Cristo ay nagtatamo siya ng mga pagpaparatang ng mga kumakaaway, laluna mula sa Iglesia Katolika. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo raw ay nakikialam sa pulitika. Ang paratang na ito’y hubad sa katotohanan. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo’y hindi nakikialam sa pulitika, manapa’y siya ang pinakikialaman ng mga pulitiko. Ang totoo ay may Iglesia na siyang nakikialam sa pulitika at nais ding magkaisa sila hindi nga lamang mangyari.” [My own translation: “With the unity within the Iglesia ni Cristo it receives many accusations from its enemies, especially from the Catholic Church. According to them the Iglesia ni Cristo meddles with politics. This accusation was derailed from truth. The Iglesia n Cristo does not meddle in politics, in fact it’s the politicians themselves who meddle with it (Iglesia). In truth, there is a Church that meddles in politics which tries to unify its members but it just couldn’t.”] (This pertains to Catholics).

Is anyone ignorant about the “block voting” teaching of the Iglesia ni Cristo cult in the Philippines?

None.

But is there such a thing as “block-voting” within the Iglesia ni Cristo?

A biiiiiiiiig NO!

Although they swore an oath to abide with the reigning heir to the throne, Ka Erdy Manalo they’re not following him. They rather follow the dictates of their conscience which the Catholic Church teaches its faithful during election.

In fact, when the present government wanted to shift the government to Parliamentary form, it was through the INC’s meddling in politics that GMA halted from the plan. Here’s from Philippine Daily Inquirer INC brings GMA to the ground:

"It took the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) to bring her down to the ground. GMA said she no longer supported Cha-cha after INC leaders talked to her and put sense into her head.”

So they lied right? They do meddle in politics!

I believe block voting within the Iglesia ni Cristo is just a “show-off”. They want to project to the world that their cult is deeply unified when in fact they are deeply divided over the “block voting” teachings and profoundly inconsistent in their teachings as well.

Fact is, if they really have this “block-voting” a mandatory for every member of the cult, why the Alagad Party-List which is an Official Iglesia ni Cristo Party List got only 340,977 total votes. winning only one seat in the Congress? “Even the Buhay Hayaan Yumabong party-list of El Shaddai surpasses the Alagad votes. BUHAY party-list won TWO congressional seats with their 705,730 votes (5.5473% of the nationwide party-list vote)” according to the author of the Iglesia ni Cristo Blog.

I thought their affiliated members are in millions? I thought they’re united? “Are the conflicting statistical INC members which supposed to lift a candidate only a myth?”

Surely it is!

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Oh WAIT!
Did you notice how they write their Pasugo? They hated the Roman Catholic Church because they say it's from Pagan Rome but they are using PAGAN Roman Letters, PAGAN Roman Numerals, PAGAN Month, and the Gregorian Calendar which is a Roman Catholic Church Calendar:

Pope's 'Would-be' Assassin Converts to Catholicism?

Remember Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish 'would-be' assassin of the late Pope John Paul II in 1981? The Pope forgave him publicly in 1983 and now there's a rumor that he had converted to Catholicism from Islam according to CathNews.com.

Here is an excerpt from the site:

"I am looking for an Italian woman, who wants to correspond with me. Obviously (I hope) she is Catholic because from May 13 2007, I decided to renounce the Muslim faith and becoming a member of the Roman Catholic Church," Agca writes.

"I have decided to return peacefully to the (St Peter's) square and to testify to the world of my conversion to Catholicism," he says in the letter written in Italian.

"Just for a day, I would wish to return to Rome to pray at the tomb of John Paul II to express my filial appreciation for his forgiveness," he adds.

This news has to be confirmed its authenticity but for now, let's pray for Mehmet of his good intention and remember in our prayers all those who are persecuting the Church so that they too may see the light of Christ.

Just like the attacker of Maria Goretti, who converted to Catholicism, this could be possible to Mehmet Ali Agca. In forgiveness hatred is reduced to love and love is the most powerful weapon against indifference, hatred, bigotry and intolerance. If indeed Christ did it, and the Servant of God Pope John Paul II did it, we too are called to forgive those who have wronged us and let God's power acting on our behalf.

To Jesus alone be praise.

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Photos after the Pope was shot in St. Peter's Square

In this file photo the late holy man of God, Pope John Paul II visited his 'would-be' assassin in prison and forgave him.

Personal Attack by Iglesia ni Cristo members

Weeks ago, I was personally attacked by the owner of www.resbak.com, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo in a forum for Filipinos (the website title itself suggest fatal attacking) . Two of the threads I created that they were not comfortable with was "INC: The true Church founded by Christ?" and "Iglesia ni Cristo: A Corporation Sole". As far as I could remember, I created those threads 3 years ago and it's still running. It was visited by many members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, some accounts lasted for months and disappeared and reappeared with another name and I can tell you that 99.9% of those who claimed to be members of the cult were there, not to explain logically (and calmly) about their doctrines but but they're there attacking Catholics and Catholic Doctrines.

I have argued many times the same argument and I have defended Catholic Doctrines according to how I knew them to the best of my knowledge and ability. Among the doctrines I questioned was Felix Manalo being an "angel" while Jesus being a "man" ONLY, it was very very unbiblical though.

Specifically, what prompted some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo to attacked my personality , my friends and my family was when I questioned why under heaven, they don't have any official website that we non-Iglesia members can all visit and take official reference amidst the huge amount of money flowing to Manalo's bank account as the legitimate owner of this Corporation Sole Iglesia ni Cristo.

Unable to confront those questions, they feasted on my personal photos and posted it especially those photos that I posted playfully. They hacked some social network accounts I have and vandalized it to discredit me from criticizing the Iglesia ni Cristo. They literally demonize me. They made fun of good friends I had, perhaps they too had kept some famly photos and close relatives for future attacks. And because of that I apologized for anyone whose face was put to shame by these dirty minded members of Manalo's cult.

As they love to bring to light a personality which they have invented and ctreated about me, as the worst sinner on earth, does it changed the fact that Felix Manalo established his Corporation Sole in the Philippines and named it as "Iglesia ni Cristo"?

What would my personality do with Felix Manalo's "angelic" statehood? Will it changed the fact that he lied when he said God commissioned him to re-establish Christ's Church when in fact it NEVER apostatized?

As a Catholic, a sinner if you will, I just can't sit idle doing nothing when the very core of my belief is being attacked by the cult of Felix Manalo.

What is Iglesia ni Cristo, a newly founded cult being named after Christ which had all the qualities of being an anti-Christ compared to the real Church Christ established in Jerusalem according to their PASUGO (Issue April 1966, p. 46).

As our Catechism says every baptized Catholic is a missionary and being a misisonary, one has to equip himself with proper knowledge of what is Catholic and what is not and try to live according to the Gospel values of which we Catholics admit we're sinners in need of a Savior, not a "Last Messenger" and a bogus church. Sad to say but even those Catholics who said they were renewed are still 80% ignorant of what's Catholic and what's not. Being membes of "charismatic" groups isn't enough. Learn, study, defend, love and live a Catholic life.

I am not saying that I am living a saintly life. Just like anybody, including the Pope, I do have my own flaws and passions and everyday I have cto fight constantly with my own unworthiness of being called a "Catholic".

So what happened in that forum? I stopped contributing because of the personal attacks they had on me. And that latest incident happened, the Administrator and the Moderator were deaf to hear my plea to banned users that use private and personal photos without my permission. With the 99.9% INC members, those who hacked my account and used it to attack me made them 100% cultic group.

I have limited terms how we can term those violations but I am pretty much sure what they did was a violation of my privacy.

May Christ forgive me for judging them but I think they have nothing so as to consider them Christian in anyway-- no love, no charity, no prudence. All they have is hatred just to defend their newly god Felix Manalo and the Iglesia ni Cristo.

P.S. Be careful, you might be the next victim. May God protects my family and my loved ones.

Are we supposed to expect another Messenger?

Are we supposed to expect a "Last Messenger"?

The Bible says “NO”.

We are not supposed to be expecting anyone coming after Christ today or in the future. Be he an angel, a prophet or sage consider them fakes for Christ is the only, the last, the final, the definitive, the climax, the peak, the fulfillment of all prophesies of the OT. What we should be expecting instead according to the Bible is the upcoming of the fake ones—the anti-Christ.

In Matthew 7:15-20, we are warned of the coming of false prophets (not priests). They come using Christ's name.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (16) You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? (17) Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

2 Peter 2:1-3, are we not warned specifically of the coming of destructive heresies like those revived by Felix Manalo?

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. (2) And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. (3) By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

1 John 4:1-3, a simple testing of Felix Manalo's spirit, he had failed. He denied Jesus as God who came in the flesh. And he that preaches such is the spirit of the AntiChrist.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (2) By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, (3) and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

In St. Paul's letter to the Philippians 3:18-19, their minds are earthly for registering another church and named it Iglesia ni Cristo, a Corporation Sole bringing billions of pesos to Erano Manalo's bank account:

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

In Corinthians 11:13-15, didn't Felix Manalo transformed himself into a higher angelic state? And what good fruit did the Iglesia ni Cristo brought to humanity? None!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

So far today, we have two. One from the USA and one from the Philippines. Two self-proclaimed controversial historical figures; a “prophet” and an “angel”. The prophet was claiming that God and Jesus showed “themselves” to him and warned him not to join any of the existing religions for they were all “false.” Then he was instructed carefully by God and Jesus to uncover a “golden plate” buried somewhere else in a hill in Salt Lake where God’s words were written.

While our Bible was originally written in delicate substances such as goat skins and papyrus, here’s Joseph Smith highly favored by God with “golden plates” which today they call it the “Book of Mormon”. No one knows where the “golden plates” are but according to Joseph Smith, God took them back to heaven. Amazing!

In the Philippines, an anti-Christ emerged. A copy-cat, a religion-hopper, turned atheist and agnostic, was accused of sexual immorality by one of his own members, Rosita Trillanes and fathered a child to a certain woman named Teresita. Just like the first false prophet in the USA, he too had to turn against the true Church of Christ which was originally the Catholic Church according to their Official PASUGO (Issue April 1966, p. 46), preached it TOTALLY apostatized and that “NO ONE” survived that “great apostasy” (if it really had happened) making Christ a liar (Mt. 16:16).

Then who had the “true faith” after the “great apostasy”?

According to Iglesia ni Cristo apologists, no one except when Felix Manalo Ysagun realized he was an angel. As an angel, his task is to re-establish and registered the “Iglesia ni Cristo” him as its “founder”, him as the owner for which in truth he was.

How he came up with the idea of building a “church” and named it “Iglesia ni Cristo”?

Unlike Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other great people of the Bible, Manalo had wondered in the excruciating desert of extreme doubt in God and unbelief after he was disowned, fired and ex-communicated by the churches he had joined, that one day he decided to fabricate a church for his own.

Like Judas thinking of how to earn a living by selling the Lord for 30 pieces of silver, Felix Manalo carefully planned his future “Corporation Sole” like an engineer; he took pencils and papers, reflected upon piles of copies of religious literature from other Protestant denomination where he was once a member, a copy of the Bible (most probably in Tagalog for which he came out with the name “Iglesia”), locked himself alone in a dimly lit room for “three days and three nights” according to his biographer and there he “prayed” and “fasted”.

Perhaps, he, not yet an “angel” was unable to withstand extreme hunger for food that he had to end his fasting that lasted for only 3 days, not 40 days as the “man” Jesus was able to endure. Possibly (again) he, must have been suffering from ulcer which ultimately killed him at the age of 76. (Didn’t God have to sustain him with “divine” health that his physical body can be nourished in it?)

Then after 3 days, Felix Manalo went out of his burrow like a ravenous wolf unfed for days and started preaching another gospel— that Christ was “never been God and his Church 'apostatized'" which is completely un-biblical.

Who were his witnesses that God had really appointed him to re-establish the “Church”? No one. Himself alone! The God in the Bible said no one comes after his Christ.

So when he came out of his cave and started deceiving people by his “total apostasy” thing, the Church was surprised because the Church which Christ built was still there.

Evidently, those Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome and other ancient Church buildings around Rome were the silent witnesses to this fact that it never apostatized as Jesus promised His Church WILL NOT yearn to the powers of Darkness.

Similarly, the ancient Catholic Church in India that houses that relics of St. Thomas the Apostle (one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles -- Read here) is another silent witness that the Church Christ founded never apostatized.

So that to this day, the Church which Pasugo says “the true Church” is one of the oldest institutions in the world (here), spanning to more than 2000 years in existence with Pope Benedict XVI as the 265th Pope of Christ’s Church.

Rather, the Bible warned us that there would be coming false angels, false prophets, false sages, and false messiahs. And perfectly Felix Manalo fulfilled that Biblical prophesies of the coming of an anti-Christ who, by elevating himself to an angelic state while Christ—God who took our human form was stripped of his divinity.

So are we supposed to expect another “Messenger”

A big NO! says the Bible.

So what are they? They're CULT! (Read more at Apologetic Index)