Runaway teen who fears family after Christian conversion ordered to DCF custody

[Article & Photo Source: Orlando Sentinel]: She looked more like a timid child clinging to her protector than an Ohio teen runaway brazen enough to flee her Muslim family out of fear for her life.

The girl, who turned 17 on Monday, is at the center of a custody dispute in Orlando, where she sought help from a family she barely knew -- a pastor and his wife willing to take in a teen who feared her own family's retribution because she converted to Christianity.

The Orlando Sentinel is not identifying the teen because of her age.

The girl appeared before a crowded courtroom full of lawyers and spectators on Monday when an Orange Circuit Court Judge ordered her into Department of Children and Families emergency custody.

It was another in a series of legal decisions in a complicated case: Beyond the girl's religious preferences, the court must solve jurisdictional issues related to child services and courts.

In addition, the teen, a native of Sri Lanka, is not a U.S. citizen.

Her dispute with her family became news several weeks ago when the girl ran away from her home in Columbus, Ohio. She hitch-hiked to a Greyhound station and boarded a bus to Orlando.

Once here, she borrowed a cell phone to call Beverly Lorenz, who with husband Blake Lorenz is a pastor of Global Revolution Church in Orlando. The Lorenzes met the girl through a prayer group on Facebook.

Although the girl was a stranger, Beverly Lorenz told her they would house her. The teen told the Lorenzes she feared her family would hurt her, kill her or send her back to Sri Lanka, Beverly Lorenz said.

"We are doing everything we can to protect her," said Blake Lorenz, who said he has been told his life may be in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, the girl's parents reported to Ohio law enforcement authorities that their daughter was missing. They put together a flier, with her picture on it, asking for tips to her whereabouts.

Beverly Lorenz said they called an abuse hotline, prompting a visit on Friday from the Orlando police. Officers picked up the girl to be placed in state custody.

The Lorenzes appeared in court with the teen Monday, as did her father from Ohio.

When the petite girl walked into court, she immediately bolted for Beverly Lorenz, who held her. The teen then joined Blake Lorenz at a table with lawyers. He comforted her throughout the entire hearing with his arm around her shoulder.

Rosa Gonzalez, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, told Orange Circuit Judge Gail A. Adams the teen is in fear for her life. The sight of her father makes the teen "frantic and hysterical," Gonzalez said.

The teen's father said little during the hearing.

Reached by a Sentinel reporter by phone, the girl's mother said little. "Yes, of course" her daughter would be safe should a judge eventually order her back there, she said.

And her father would not harm his daughter if she wanted to be a Christian, the woman said. She referred other questions to her husband. He did not answer his cell phone after the hearing.

Gonzalez said her organization, which sends pro bono lawyers to work on cases involving Christian issues, is concerned the teen could be returned to her parents.

"We don't take those threats lightly," she said.

Imam Hatim Hamidullah, with the Islamic Society of Central Florida, said the Muslim faith does not call for a father to hurt his child, should she convert to another religion.

"It is not Islam for the father to bring harm upon his blood daughter or any other human being because of anger," he said. "Our position is to exhaust all measures that would bring peace and harmony back to the family," Hamidullah said. "Being angry and threatening the life of someone is not one of those methods."

A DCF spokeswoman said the agency is working with Ohio officials to ensure the teen's "safety and well being."

Attempts to talk to the teen after the hearing were unsuccessful -- her legal guardians ushered her out of the building without letting her speak to a reporter.

On a baby sitter Web site, the girl described herself this way: "One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is cheerleading for my high school and of course tumbling as well. I have a little brother who is about to turn 5 years old. With this, I have had a lot of experience with toddlers and many years of sitting for him."

Blake Lorenz, who retired after serving as pastor at Pine Castle United Methodist Church for several years, said the teen believes her dad will kill her.

"We are doing everything we can to protect her," he said.

Lorenz said he has been told his life may be in jeopardy.

After Monday's hearing, Blake Lorenz said he was relieved the teen is not returning back to her family in Ohio immediately, but he's still cautious. He's "very concerned that the system will let her down."

Debunking the Da Vinci Code from Catholic.net

[Article Source: Catholic.net] Carl Olson and Sandra Miesel don’t like hoaxes, especially when it comes to the faith.

Olson is the former editor of Envoy magazine, and Miesel is an expert on the Church in the medieval era. The two teamed up to write The Da Vinci Hoax, which Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George describes as the “definitive debunking” of Dan Brown’s best seller The Da Vinci Code.

Register correspondent Sabrina Ferrisi spoke to the authors.

Dan Brown writes about the Holy Grail and the Church’s supposed attempts to suppress it. What is the real story?

Miesel: The Church has never said anything about the Holy Grail. Medieval legends of the Holy Grail began in the 12th century. The Grail only appears in literature, with its meaning tied to legitimate Christian belief in the holy Eucharist. Nobody ever went out to look for the Grail.

It is well established that ideas of old pagan myths filtered into stories of the Holy Grail. The first place the Grail is ever mentioned is in the Tale of the Grail, written by Chretien de Troyes, a Frenchman in the 12th century.

The idea of the Grail being the bloodline of Mary Magdalene and Jesus comes from occult books. The book Holy Blood, Holy Grail, which came out in the 1980s, talks about this “great secret” of the Grail. It’s based on false documents that were planted in the French National Library by Frenchmen Pierre Plantard and his collaborators in the 1950s. The documents showed a supposed genealogy of the descendants of Christ.

Brown says the Emperor Constantine was baptized on his deathbed and implies he was never a believer.

Olson: Constantine was baptized on his deathbed, but this was common at the time. There is a great deal of evidence that he was a believer in Christianity. He desired to go to the Jordan and get baptized there. He called together the Council of Nicaea in 325 to combat the Arian heresy. There was unity lacking in the Roman Empire. And Constantine did see Christianity as a unifying influence. But to say he was not a true believer is a very cynical statement that does not hold up to the evidence.

What about Brown’s assertions that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene?

Miesel: This legend all began with a crooked priest in France in the 1890s. This priest made money by selling Masses. He renovated his church and built an expensive house. Eventually, his bishop made him quit as a priest. The village where he lived, however, wanted the house to be made into a tourist attraction. So in the 1950s, a restaurant owner said a secret parchment and Templar treasures had been found in or near the church.

Plantard created this fake parchment. He had been a devout Catholic but went on to become a con man. The parchment supposedly supported the idea of a secret bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

Brown says Constantine invented Jesus’ divinity and that no one had ever believed this beforehand, not even Jesus’ followers.

Olson: This is the biggest lie in the book. It goes directly to the heart of Christianity. … If no one believed Jesus was divine, then why were Christians persecuted? Why were they willing to go to their deaths?

Jesus’ divinity is in the writings of all four Gospels, the writings of St. Paul and all the early Church Fathers in the first three centuries. In our book, we quote 12 Church Fathers — these were early theologians whose writings the Catholic and Orthodox Church look to as authoritative guides.

What about this Priory of Sion? Brown claims it is an ancient organization charged with protecting the tomb of Mary Magdalene.

Miesel: There never was a Priory of Sion organization that spanned a thousand years. In 1956, Pierre Plantard formed the Priory of Sion in France. The group’s interest was in mystical and esoteric doctrines. He eventually built a myth of himself as the descendant of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Then a supposed member of the priory committed suicide in 1992. Plantard was brought to testify in court, and under oath, he said he had made everything up. He died in 2000.
Brown is a very deceptive writer. In fact, I can hardly find a single fact that is true in his book.

Who were the Knights Templar, and did the Church accuse them of heresy — as Brown asserts?

Miesel: The Knights Templar were basically monks who fought. They were founded in 1108 and designed to help the Crusades conflict in the Holy Land.

The Knights became very popular, and many people joined them. At their peak, they never had more than 300 full-fledged knights in the Holy Land, but they did have thousands of members: chaplains, servants, workers, lay people.

How and why were they persecuted?

Miesel: In 1291, the Holy Land was retaken by the Muslims. The Knights went back to France where they had lots of property by this time — thousands of plots — which people had given to them.

They operated what amounted to a chain of international banks. You could put money down in Paris in one of their centers and take it out in Rome. In 1307, King Philip IV of France decided he wanted their money. He had all of them arrested: about 1,500 to 2,000 people. The king said they were heretics. He did this on his own authority, not the Pope’s. The Pope at this time was in Avignon and was very weak. He was told about this after the fact.

The Knights were imprisoned, tortured and made to sign wild things: that they worshipped an idol called Bathomet, dishonored the crucifix and were homosexuals. About 100-200 of them would not admit to this and were burned at the stake. Pope Clement was horrified originally. But when he read their confession, he gave permission to investigate. Eventually, King Philip IV brought his soldiers to the Pope and put strong pressure on him to sign a decree in 1312 that suppressed the order. In 1314, the last two Templar Knights were burned at the stake.

What about all the assertions made against Opus Dei?

Olson: Brown uses Opus Dei to replace the old bogeyman in anti-Catholic literature, which used to be the Jesuits. Brown’s language is laughable. It’s not a religious order. There are no monks or sisters. He describes it as a church; it’s not a church. It’s a personal prelature. It is almost exclusively made up of lay people, and its goal is to promote the vocation of holiness in the world.
Brown says Leonardo da Vinci mocked the Church.

Miesel: Everything Brown tells you about Leonardo da Vinci is wrong. Maybe he was a homosexual, but he was not flamboyant. In fact, he was quiet and reserved. In the Last Supper painting, da Vinci is illustrating St. John’s Gospel. Mary Magdalene is not the person next to Jesus [as Brown asserts]. It is St. John, who is always depicted as young and effeminate.

There is no evidence that da Vinci hated the Catholic Church. He died a believing Catholic. His last will specifically requests a Catholic funeral.

Brown says the Church, from the beginning, launched a smear campaign against Mary Magdalene.

Olson: This is ludicrous, especially when you see that the Gospel mentions her 12 times and she is the first witness to the Resurrection. In fact, during the entire medieval era, 400 to 1400 A.D., she was the most popular saint in the Western Church. Eventually Mary, the mother of Jesus, became more popular.

What disturbs you the most about The Da Vinci Code?

Miesel: That people are taking this as true. Why is this happening? Because people don’t have real faith, and because Catholics have been so poorly catechized. They don’t know how the Gospels were formed, what the early Church believed, that the divinity of Jesus was not an invention.

Brown exploits ignorance. It doesn’t occur to people to check stuff in their encyclopedias. They only look on the Internet and find all kinds of strange Web sites supporting this stuff. People like conspiracy theories.

The Church scandals have made all of this easier to take in. It is a sad commentary that Christians and Catholics are reading this. It’s a masterpiece that appeals to the weaknesses of our age.

Olson: The most disturbing thing is its success. People are spiritually gullible and put their brain on hold to embrace something that is anti-Catholic. This is a prejudice that’s deeply engraved in American culture.

The Da Vinci Code appeals to people who don’t like religious authority. It promises special knowledge and says the Catholic Church is false. If Jesus isn’t divine, he can’t make any moral demands.

The scandal is that Jesus is alive and that you have to decide for or against him.

Sabrina Ferrisi writes from Jersey City, New Jersey.

Please donate to Catholic.net

Christians burned to death in Pakistan

Another story of Islamic intollerance in Pakistan. While these related news are circulating in media, not a single Muslim is condemning the attack. When will they ever take action on our behalf? Their silence is deafening!

[Article & Photo Source: Catholic Herald - By Will Heaven]

Eight Pakistani Christians ere killed, 50 homes destroyed and two churches burned when a rampaging mob of up to 3,000 Muslims tore hrough
the town of Gojra, in eastern Pakistan, last Saturday.

The victims, who included two young children, were either burned alive or shot.

The attacks were said to be among the bloodiest against Pakistani Christians in the country's history. Some of those killed were understood to be Catholics.

The mob gathered after rumours had spread that children had cut up a schoolbook which included verses from the Koran. The children had supposedly been making confetti for a local wedding.

As well as those killed, more than 20 people were injured in the attack as the mob, carrying sticks, clubs and a small number of firearms, took to the streets last weekend.

The attacks came two days after a related incident in the nearby village of Korian where gangs set fire to more than 70 Christian homes and two small Protestant churches.

A telegram was sent on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI to Bishop Joseph Coutts of the Catholic Diocese of Faisalabad. It said the Pontiff was "deeply grieved to learn of the senseless attack on the Christian community of Gojra city which resulted in the tragic killing of innocent men, women and children". The message also included condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the survivors.

"In the name of God he appeals to everyone to renounce the way of violence, which causes so much suffering, and to embrace the way of peace," the telegram said.

The Pope asked Bishop Coutts to "encourage the whole diocesan community, and all Christians in Pakistan, not to be deterred in their efforts to help build a society which, with a profound sense of trust in religious and human values, is marked by mutual respect among all its members".

The bishop expressed his grief and anger after the attacks. Speaking from Pakistan in an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, the Catholic charity for persecuted Christians, Bishop Coutts said: "There is a lot of anger among the people about what has happened. Emotions are running extremely high. People could respond in any way. This is undoubtedly one of the worst attacks we have faced."

Bishop Coutts presided at the funerals of those killed in the Gojra violence last Sunday. He denounced the failure of the authorities to tackle the causes of the violence and criticised the police for not acting quickly to stop the mob, describing the official response to the violence as "half-hearted and ineffective".

The bishop said the number of recent attacks against Christians was a clear signal that their safety was being ignored.

He said: "In all these cases, the police did almost nothing to stop the rampaging mobs. Condolences, apologies and assurances always pour in from officials and other citizens after the event, but the timely action required to prevent such incidents has always been missing."

Bishop Coutts stressed the continuing need to work towards inter-religious cooperation.

On Tuesday the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, appealed to the government of Pakistan to ensure "that justice is done in the wake of these terrible events". Dr Williams also criticised Pakistan's "draconian laws against blasphemy".

Christian groups have repeatedly called for the repeal of Pakistan's 1986 blasphemy laws, which deal harshly with perceived "crimes of disrespect" towards the Koran or the Prophet Mohammed. Perpetrators of these crimes are liable to sentences of life imprisonment or the death penalty, according to the decrees of sharia law. Critics say the laws target Christians who have reportedly had 23 per cent of blasphemy cases brought against them, despite only representing three per cent of Pakistan's predominantly Muslim population.

John Pontifex, a spokesman for Aid to the Church in Need, said Pakistan's laws against blasphemy were encouraging vigilantism.

He said: "The blasphemy laws as they stand amount to mob rule, and we know that Christians are suffering persecution and vendettas at the hands of Pakistan's Muslim majority." Pakistan's missionary schools closed on Monday to mourn those who were killed in the violence.

Bishop Sadiq Daniel, head of the Anglican diocese in Karachi and the south-western Baluchistan province, said: "Christian schools will remain closed for three days from today to mourn the death of innocent people in Gojra."

He added: "There is no proof of blasphemy, but if someone has done that he, and not the entire community, should be punished."

Officials denied that rumours concerning the desecration of verses from the Koran had any basis.

Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's minister for minorities, said authorities were also investigating reports that "masked men armed with explosives" were at the forefront of the violence,
indicating that Islamist militias were involved.

"Allegations of desecration of the Holy Koran, which were used as an excuse by banned [Islamist] groups to foment such a big scale of violence, were baseless and without grounds," he told a news conference on Monday.

Punjab's provincial police chief Tariq Salim Dogar said that 64 people had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

However, the head of the Catholic Church in Pakistan released a statement which complained that when Christians were attacked the culprits were "arrested but never brought to justice".

The statement also demanded that the Pakistani authorities decide on "a comprehensive policy" to eliminate "hate speeches" against other religions.

Think of the children being aborted

Is Iglesia ni Cristo the Church of Christ?

Is Iglesia ni Cristo the Church of Christ?

[Article Source: Monkshobbit.wordpress]

Fr. Daniel J. McNamara, S.J., during one of our walks years ago, told us: “The Iglesia ni Cristo is neither a church nor of Christ.” It is worthwhile to ponder on his words as Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) celebrates its 95th Anniversary last July 27, 2009–95 years after Felix Y. Manalo made the INC into a corporation with him as the executive minister last July 27, 1914.

A true church of Christ has four marks: one, holy, Catholic, apostolic (c.f. Catechism of the Catholic Church Art. 811 ). If one of this does not hold, then the Iglesia ni Cristo is a false church of Christ.

1. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo one? The INC is is united in doctrine and even in voting. No wonder many politicians who wished to be reelected this coming 2010 elections are all congratulating INC in its 95th anniversary. The INC passed the first test.

2. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo holy? The Catholic Church has produced numerous saints: beggars and kings, scholars and soldiers, old and young. Can the INC name at least one–only one–person in all its history whom they consider as a saint, a man or woman worthy of emulation, whose life reflected the radical message of the gospel–a Mother Teresa, an Ignatius of Loyola, a Francis of Assisi? The INC can give none.

3. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo catholic? Catholicity simply means universal. The INC is universal in space: the INC is now found in many countries and its mission is to convert the whole world. But the INC is not universal in time: where was INC in the first centuries of Christianity, when the truths of the Faith were debated and clarified? The INC was not there. It is true that INC proclaims an affinity with the teachings of Bishop Arius (AD 250-336), the founder of Arianism, a heresy which denies the divinity of Christ. But between Arius and Manalo is 1,600 years of absence.

Catholic also means “according to totality” or “in keeping with the whole” (Catechism of the Catholic Church Art. 830):

The Catholic Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. “Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church.” In her subsists the fullness of Christ’s body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him “the fullness of the means of salvation” which he has willed: correct and complete confession of faith, full sacramental life, and ordained ministry of apostolic succession. The Church was, in this fundamental sense, catholic on the day of Pentecost and will always be so until the day of Parousia.

The INC also claims this catholicity, for they also adopt the following catholic doctrine:

Ouside the church there is no salvation.

I remembered one of INC’s television show called Tamang Daan, the Right Way in contrast to Eli Soriano’s Datin Daan or the Old Way. In their show, one of INC’s argument to support their doctrine is a quotation from a catholic author: “Outside the Church of Christ there is no salvation.” The two INC ministers–always two since two is the sign of Socratic dialogue for knowing the truth–will tell the readers that the text they are quoting has the imprimatur of the Catholic Church. Then they make a twist of Faith: translate this sentence in Filipino and you will see that “Outside Iglesia ni Cristo there is no salvation.” Oh, what a proof.

4. Is the Iglesia ni Cristo apostolic? To be apostolic, the INC must be founded by an apostle, in the same way as the Roman Catholic Church was founded by Apostles Peter and Paul. But the fact that INC only celebrated its 95th founding anniversary means that INC could never be founded by an apostle. An apostle was a person sent by Christ with the authority to preach the Kingdom of God (c.f. Mt 10). The apostles in turn ordained bishops and gave them authority to govern the church, as Timothy was ordained by Paul through the laying of the hands:

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the imposition of hands of the presbyterate. (1 Tim 4:14)

And these bishops in turn ordain new bishops to take their place. The Roman Catholic Church, for example, is apostolic because it traces its apostolic lineage from St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome, to the present pope, Pope Benedict XVI. But who ordained Manalo? Who laid hands on him? No one. He ordained himself. Oh, I made a mistake. Protestant pastors ordained him (full story by Emily Jordan). But INC never recognizes the Protestant faith. Mainline Protestants at least believes on the Divinity of Christ, which the INC reject. This itself poses a question on the validity of the Manalo’s ordination. (The validity of the Protestant minister’s apostolic succession is a separate issue.) So effectively, no one ordained Manalo. He ordained himself.

5. Thus, the Iglesia ni Cristo posesses only one mark of the true Church of Christ: it is one, but it is not holy, nor catholic, nor apostolic. Let us not be deceived. Not all those who are named Manny Pacquiao can box like the real Manny Pacquiao. Not all those who calls themselves the Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo is the true Church of Christ. Only the Catholic Church is. The Church of Iglesia ni Cristo is a false church, an Anti-Church. The Christ of Iglesia ni Cristo is an Arian idol, an Anti-Christ. Let us not be deceived.

Prayer for a Happy Death by Corazon C. Aquino

Prayer for a Happy Death
By Corazon C. Aquino (1994)

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
Most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true.

To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.
When the finial moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.

Let them comfort each other
And let them know
How much happiness
They brought in life.

Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
For each other.

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.

And let them realize t hat our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope.
You alone are my salvation.

Thank you for your unconditional love. Amen.

Where are the "Peaceful" Muslims?!

I am just wondering how many Muslims are really peaceful? If they are peaceful, why they are silent while they can be noisy over one Muslim being persecuted?!

Disgusting!

Anti-Christian attacks “premeditated”, says archbishop of Lahore

[Photo & Article Source: Asia News:] “We must defend ourselves” from premeditated” attacks gainst Pakistan’s Christian minority. For this reason it is necessary “to keep a low profile” and avoid giving fundamentalists “any more pretexts” to carry out violence on confessional grounds, said Mgr John Lawrence Saldanha, the archbishop of Lahore, as he spoke to AsiaNews about anti-Christian attacks in Gojra and the village of Korian, in
Punjab.

“The Christian community suffered two premeditated attacks,” Archbishop Saldanha. “The first one, on 30 July, fortunately produced no victims. But on 1 August, people were not prepared to confront the onslaught and some died.”

About “seven people died, six from the same family,” the prelate added. But the number of casualties could rise.

Following the intervention of the Pakistani army, calm returned to the area.

The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), which is chaired by Archbishop Saldanha, has decided to shut down all Catholic schools and institutions in Punjab for three days of mourning.

In a joint statement signed by the archbishop and Peter Jacob, the NCJP executive secretary, the NCJP called on the government to address the root causes of religious intolerance in Pakistan.

More specifically, the archbishop denounced the use of a “special fuel” to make it more difficult to put out the flames, a fuel also used in Shanti Nagar, a village that was torched in February 1997 and in Sangla Hill in 2005.

The prelate went on to call for “more decisive government action” to protect the country’s minorities as well as a “special meeting with the authorities in Islamabad,” guilty of not taking “all the necessary steps to defend the population.”

For Mgr Saldanha the Sunni extremist group Sipah-e-Sahabaha could be behind the attack. He said he hoped that “concrete steps” will be taken to stop the violence.

“We must defend ourselves” and “keep a low profile”, he said. “Christians must avoid giving the terrorists more scope to carry out more attacks.”

In an atmosphere of “profound sadness,” he made a plea through AsiaNews: “[We Catholics of Pakistan] call upon the Christians of the entire world for their solidarity and prayers. Do not
leave us alone; remain close to us in your hearts and minds. Now all we can do is stay united and hope the situation will improve.”

For NCJP leaders the government must find a solution to the problems caused by the blasphemy laws, which have been used to sow “hatred and divisions” in the country.

They denounce the existence of extremist cells in Punjab, involved in attacks across Pakistan.

Punjab’s provincial government must adopt a strategy to “eliminate hate speech” and violence in all their forms.

In a telegram sent by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, to the Bishop of Faisalabad, the Most Reverend Joseph Coutts, the Holy Father said he “was deeply grieved to learn of the senseless attack on the Christian community of Gojra City which resulted in the tragic killing of innocent men, women and children”.

“In the name of God,” he said “everyone” should “renounce the way of violence which causes so such suffering and” instead “embrace the way of peace.”

His Holiness also charge bishop Coutts to strongly encourage the whole diocesan community,
and all Christians in Pakistan, to continue their efforts at building “a society which, with a profound sense of trust in religious and human values, is marked by mutual respect among all its members.”

Life of young, vibrant Catholic, inspires many to come back to the Church

[Photo Source: Catholic Online]

Seattle, Wash., [CNA).- The short life of a devout, Catholic, young girl from Seattle has brought many Catholics across the United States back to the Church. Her holy and loving example, as well as her battle with cancer, has drawn others to convert to Catholicism and has inspired the creation of an organization to reach out to families with a loved one facing a chronic illness.

Gloria was born in 1996 to Doug and Kristen Strauss and was like any other seven-year old. She enjoyed playing with her six siblings and friends, dressing up, playing board games, picking flowers and watching the Fox television show, “American Idol.” The young girl also had a special place in her heart for the Rosary and for making people feel good about themselves. However, no one could have predicted the amount of people her brief time on earth would touch.

Cancer diagnosis

CNA spoke with her father, Doug, who explained that one day in 2003 when Gloria was seven years-old, she was hit in the face with a ball resulting in a black eye. When the color returned to normal after the seemingly minor injury, a suspicious bump remained. After two trips to the doctor, she was referred to a specialist who instantly had a hunch it was cancer.

Gloria was diagnosed with a cancer known as neuroblastoma and only given a window of three months to three years to survive. Following the diagnosis, Gloria immediately went into surgery and began chemotherapy treatments. Doug explained that though it was difficult, the family resolved to remain “open to God’s plan in hopes that the family would be strengthened.”

At the time, Doug was a high school basketball coach who knew Seattle Times columnist Jerry Brewer. Brewer had planned to run a single column on the family’s struggles while Doug coached during the season. However, the first column attracted so many readers that the idea expanded into a five-month series of interviews with the Strauss family sharing Gloria’s faith and trust in God with those in Seattle and around the United States.

When Gloria’s condition took a turn for the worse in 2007, the family opened their home for community members to come and pray over her. Doug explained that for three weeks, 50 – 60 people showed up Monday – Friday to pray the Rosary and sing praise and worship songs. Later, when it became too much for the family, five members of the community opened up their homes to continue the prayers for Gloria.

Drawing others to Christ

After Gloria endured seven rounds of chemotherapy, the doctors decided to try a stem-cell transplant using her own stem-cells. Doug said that at that point, he knew that Gloria was at her lowest point. He was desperate and started to pray, “God help me, I don’t understand.”

He heard a voice say, “quality of life.” He was confused, but went to Gloria the next day and asked if she’s had quality of life. He didn’t expect her to understand, but she immediately responded, “yes daddy!” She excitedly added that so many people have started praying because of her illness.

Doug explained that Gloria had a beautiful gift, she was able to draw people to Christ through her cancer. “She taught us all how to carry a cross. Her gift to us was her living example of her commitment to a relationship with God through constant prayer. She always said, “yes.”

Writing in the Seattle Times column, Doug recalled that they “would ask if it was all right to have a healing Mass,” and she would answer, “oh yea!” Other times they would ask: “How about if 50 people come over to pray the Rosary over you tonight?” She’d say, “oh yea!”

“From shots to sickness it always began and ended with the sign of the cross,” Doug continued. “Often doctors would have to stand and wait as she made the sign of the cross and prayed. Amazing to watch!”

It wasn’t just her actions that drew people to Christ, her father also explained that everyone spoke of Gloria’s presence. “She had this presence that allowed people to want to be with her and pray for her.” Even at the age of seven, “she knew her calling to bring people to God through her cancer.”

People from all religions were attracted to Gloria and her family through the front-page column in the Seattle Times. “Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus, they all wrote in to the paper talking about how they’ve been impacted by her life,” Doug said. “Everyone knew we were Catholic – we didn’t have to profess it – we wanted prayers from everyone,” Doug continued.

Doug even mentioned a blind man that had written him a letter saying that he had been praying Rosaries for Gloria and wanted to meet her. Miraculously, when she entered the room he could see her dressed in white. The man told Doug however that when she left, he was blind once again.

Though prayers for Gloria kept coming, her cancer continued to spread and she died on September 21, 2007.

Gloria’s impact

Immediately following Gloria’s death, the family realized the large impact that Gloria had on the community.

Doug explained that people came all over to view her body before and after the Rosary. He added that he received a letter from a Lutheran man who attends Eucharistic adoration at a Catholic church who said that he had to go so that he could “see a saint in person.”

Then at the funeral, over 3,200 showed up and the family began to hear stories of how’ Gloria’s life and struggle had transformed lives.

One man from Virginia had read about Gloria and explained that he felt like he was “hit over the head by a 2 x 4.” The man had been on a four-day drinking binge and he completely gave up alcohol after reading the story on her illness and strength of faith.

Not only do the Strausses have a list of others who have quit different drug addictions because of Gloria, but they are aware of at least ten people who have become Catholic directly due to Gloria’s story – and more are continuing to convert. One in particular was a nurse at the Children’s hospital who didn’t grow up going to church. After seeing little Gloria’s faith, she knew she had to do something about it.

According to the Catholic Northwest Progress, one Presbyterian family became Catholic after Gloria attended a camp for ill children and their families. One of the volunteers, Brinn Funai continued to keep in touch with Kristen Strauss, Gloria’s mother, after the week’s activities.

Brinn explained that she had been checking into Catholicism, but meeting Kristen and the Strausses “was a big turning point for me.” They “really helped kin of soften that road so to speak, to coming into the church.”
“I told her right before she died, ‘Gloria, we’re going to become Catholic,’” said Brinn. “And she said, ‘Wow!’” The Funais were received into Catholic Church at Easter 2008.
Not only did the girl’s life, touch individuals, but she also inspired the organization, “Gloria’s Angels.”

Gloria’s Angels

At a point when Gloria’s health continued to fade, the family’s spiritual advisor spoke to Bob Turner, a Seattle business man, about assisting the family in the days following Gloria’s cancer. “Either she was going to experience a miraculous healing or she was going to pass away,” Turner explained. “In either case, [the spiritual advisor] recognized that the Strauss family would have some mission to serve.”

Turner explained that he decided “to bring his business skills into a partnership with the Strauss family to help them honor her and carry on her mission.” After weeks of discernment, Turner and the Strauss family decided that Gloria’s mission could best be carried out by serving families facing life-threatening illnesses.

And so Gloria’s Angels was born.

The organization works to smooth out the “roller coaster ride” that families with a sick member experience. While many agencies exist to assist families in need, oftentimes loved ones are unaware of the services offered or need help with the coordination. Gloria’s Angel’s steps in for guidance to piece everything together.

Source Article: Life of young, vibrant Catholic, inspires many to come back to the Church

A Saintly Cory died at 76

Corazon C. Aquino died today at the age of 76. Her death is a personal loss for me. I was just 14 years old when she ran for Presidency. I remembered singing the "Bayan Ko" for the first time with passion when Butch Abad came to my town and awaken the Filipino pride in us by a song. I never felt that Filipino pride in me until Cory came to challenge the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

I consider Cory as the best Presidents we ever had and I am truly blest to have lived during her leadership. Plagued with 7 coup attemps by selfish military men who are now serving as our Senators she survived them all courageously strengthened by her faith in God and her deep devotion to the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy. During those difficult times, no one knew that she was kept secretly inside comtemplative convents of the Pink Sisters, founded by St. Arnold Janssen, SVD.

At times, I didn't agree with her when she joined forces with Joseph Estrada but now I understand.

Cory never thought of herself alone. In all her decisions, she always considers what the Filipino people may benefit from her decision. Her saintly life as a devout Catholic leader was tarnished only by her own children's lapse judgment but she remained loving to her children.

I never heard any bad thing about Cory. Only God knows how virtuous she lived her life privately.

For me, she's a saint worthy of emulation.

May she rest in peace!

Words of Inspiration from a well respected Apologist

A very well respected Filipino Apologetic came accross my blog and sent me a very encouraging message.

Dear Blogger,

O, this is my first time to visit and check your Blog. Its wonderful and great. I enjoyed reading. CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE JOB WELL DONE.

I am Rev. Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS the blogger of THE SPLENDOR OF THE CHURCH BLOSPOT. Thank you for including it in your Blog List. I will reciprocate
it by adding yours in my Blogroll also.

I am a member of the Defensores Fidei Foundation and Bro. Cenon Bibe is a good friend. You can e-mail me at

Visit Father Abe at Splendor of the Chruch. From there, Father Abe and I frequently exchange ideas and messages.

Thanks Father for your priestly blessings for myself and my family. You are my inspiration, Mama Mary my silent prayer partner, Joshua (the name I've given to my guardian angel) as my defender and Christ my guide and my light.

Notice the TWIST?

The Bible says: "iglesia ni Cristo" (churches of Christ)

Their Official Magazine PASUGO says: "Iglesia ni Cristo" (Church of Christ)

See the TWIST? Clever!

Death threats against believers in Dong Hoi, as the police arrest a Catholic

Our Vietnamese brethren need our prayers. Please offer your sacrifices today for them and offer your Mass intentions for the rest of the persecuted Christians around the world. Say your Rosary prayers for the peace in the world.

(Article Source: AsiaNews) Hanoi - A Catholic from Dong Hoi was arrested yesterday by police and groups of thugs – in the service of law enforcement - shouted death threats against the faithful. The city of Dong Hoi is located about 500 km south of Hanoi and the Local Government (found in Quang Binh) has declared there are "no Catholics" in the area, even if there are at least three thousand faithful.

Fr. Vo Thanh Tam, secretary of the College of Priests of Vinh Diocese (which belongs to Dong Hoi) confirmed that several Catholics were arrested a few days ago and that yesterday “Mr. Nguyen Cong Ly was arrested. His house is frequently used by the faithful for liturgical services”. In fact there are no churches in the area, the only one being Tam Toa, which is in ruins and which the government wants to use as a "memorial" to the war against the United States. Other sources say that the area is being used to build a tourist village (see AsiaNews 21/07/09 - Beatings and arrests of priests and faithful in the historic church of Tam Toa).

According to witnesses, the police and groups of thugs are roaming the streets and attacking those who visibly wear Catholic religious symbols.

In recent weeks a group of faithful tried to repair the ruins of Tam Toa, but were stopped by police, brutally beaten and arrested. To demand their release impressive demonstrations were held by Catholics in the diocese of Vinh, in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), in Hanoi and other cities.

Immediately after the episode in Tam Toa, hundreds of Catholic families fled Dong Hoi to find refuge in Ha Tinh and Nghe An (also in the diocese of Vinh).

Meanwhile more than 600 state media began a campaign of disinformation against the Catholics of Tam Toa, demanding they be charged and inciting hatred toward Catholics.

Muslim mob targets Christians for building church

Another sad story of religious intollerance and persecution by Muslims in the Middle East while Muslims in Christian dominated countries enjoyed the hospitality and tolerance given them by other faiths. They even used democracy to air their religious rights which is not respected under the Sharia Law.

[Source: WorldNetDaily] JERUSALEM – Hundreds of Muslims over the weekend tried to set a local Egyptian Christian's home on fire after he announced he would turn the structure into a church, an Egyptian security source and local Christians told WND.

At least four Christian Copts and two Muslim policemen were wounded in the clashes that ensued this past Friday after about 500 local Muslims descended upon the small Christian village of Al-Hawasiliya, vowing to burn down the house.

Local Christians told WND the Muslim mob was provoked at local mosque services.

"The imams deliberately worked up the congregants against us," a local Christian told WND yesterday.

The Muslims accused the Christian home owner of attempting to build a church without the proper local permits. Islamic Shariah law, not explicitly accepted by the Egyptian government, forbids the construction of any new churches in a Muslim state. Existing churches are allowed to remain but cannot be expanded and cannot conduct public ceremonies or ring church bells.

Egyptian police eventually stepped in to stop the Muslim crowd, but not before they first set several nearby Christian farms on fire, a security source in Egypt told WND.

This was not the first time Egyptian Christians were targeted on suspicion they might build a church. In 2007, WND reported Muslims in Egypt attacked local Christians and set fire to their shops and homes after the Christian community was accused of attempting to build a church. The Egyptian government heavily restricts the construction or enlargement of churches, requiring permits for any Christian building.

Coptic Christians constitute between 8 and 15 percent of Egypt's population. They are regularly targeted by the country's Muslim majority.

In April, WND quoted local Christian leaders charging an Egypt government policy to slaughter the country's pigs as a stated precaution against swine flu was also aimed at targeting and weakening Egypt's long-persecuted Christian community. Almost the entire pig farming community in Egypt is run by Coptic Christians.

Egypt that month started seizing and slaughtering herds of pigs in a bid to rid the country of its swine, explaining it was a safety precaution against swine flu. The move was heavily criticized by the United Nations, which put out a statement that the mass cull of up to 400,000 pigs was "a real mistake" since the new flu strain has not been found in pigs.

Christians are effectively restricted from senior Egyptian government, military or educational positions, and any worship services require the permission of the government.

The Coptic Church, a major Christian community in Egypt, reportedly dates back to the origins of Christianity. Christians were the majority in Egypt until several centuries after the Arab conquest of the 7th century.

Let's all pray for our Coptic brethren. May God keep their faith strong.

Priest beaten into a coma by police. Catholics Protest throughout Vietnam

We have to continue pray for all persecuted Christians around the world particularly to our missionaries who are the usual targets of this intollerance. We have to hold on to Christ's promise that he will not leave us orphans. Let's strengthen our brethren in the Lord whle they face earthly tribulation at the hands of those who hate Christ and his Church.

Hanoi (Asia News)-Two priests are in serious condition after they were savagely beaten by Vietnamese olice and thugs, who tried in vain to stop the demonstrations held last July 26 in Vinh (300 km south of Hanoi) to demand justice for the violence used against the Christian community of the parish of Tam Toa (see AsiaNews 21/07/09 - Beatings and arrests of priests and faithful in the historic church of Tam Toa). As news of the priests conditions spread, a series of new demonstrations have been launched in several cities of Vietnam.

The diocesan office in Vinh issued a statement last night in condemning the attacks by police and gangs of thugs acting on police orders, on the two priests, Fr Paul Nguyen Dinh Phu and Fr. Peter Nguyen The Binh, whose conditions are very critical. Both have been admitted to hospital in Dong Hoi, the first with broken ribs and head injuries, the second was beaten into a coma and then hurled from the 2nd floor of the building.

The diocesan statement also denounces that police and gangs of thugs have been attacking anyone who dares to wear a Catholic religious symbol. In a particular episode, the thugs savagely beat a woman, Nguyen Thi Yen and her child of 9 years.

On 26 July morning, Fr. Paul Dinh Phu Nguyen, pastor of Du Loc, was attacked by a group of plainclothes policemen as he was travelling to the parish of Tam Toa, for the celebration of mass together with five other priests of the deanery of Trooc. The mass was to have started a peaceful demonstration to protest against the beating suffered by many faithful of the parish of Tam Toa, who were repairing the ruined church. Seven faithful were arrested.

The event was attended by 170 priests, 420 religious and about 500 thousand Catholics from the diocese of Vinh and other neighbouring dioceses, distributed across 19 deaneries. While making their way to Tam Toa, three women of the village of Dong Yen were beaten by a group of men. Fr. Paul Nguyen tried to intervene to save the women, but "before I could say a word - he said - they have left the women aside and they turned on me, beating me with brutality, having recognized me as a priest. There were at least 30 uniformed policemen nearby and who simply looked on with indifference while I was subjected to the attack. "

The beating left him with some broken ribs and injuries to the face and head. He was saved by a group of believers who freed him and took him to hospital. Afterwards, the gang which had beat him, surrounded the hospital building armed with clubs and other instruments of violence.

The diocesan Office of Vinh immediately issued a public complaint to the People's Committee of Quang Binh and asked a Fr. Peter Nguyen The Binh, pastor of nearby Ha Loi parish, to visit Fr Paul Nguyen, accompanied by Vice Governor Tran Cong Thuat. On arriving at the hospital, Thuat fled. An armed gang surrounded the priest left on his own, savagely beating him into a coma and throwing him from the second floor of the hospital building.

The news of the attacks to the two priests and other faithful of Dong Hoi has sparked a fresh protest. In Ho Chi Minh City, yesterday evening, more than 2 thousand Catholics attended a prayer vigil at the Redemptorist monastery, asking the Vietnamese government to immediately stop the persecution of the Church.

Almost simultaneously with the vigil in Ho Chi Minh City, other gatherings were organized by the Thai Ha Redemptorists (Hanoi), gathering thousands of faithful. In the evening, in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh thousands more Catholics came together marching through the streets, praying the rosary and asking for the release of the seven faithful arrested in Tam Toa a week before.

Fr Vo Thanh Tam, secretary of the college for priests of the diocese of Vinh, condemned police brutality in the province of Quang Binh, but praised the police in Vinh for allowing the peaceful march of the faithful last night.

Who's the real founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo?

It is not only their official magazine PASUGO that proves Iglesia ni Cristo's real founder but it's one of its own members believed too that it was Felix Manalo himself who founded this business establishment called Iglesia ni Cristo. ( Click newphilrevolution.blogspot.com for the article).

More than 10 million Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members celebrated the 95th year of God's work throughout the world yesterday. After going to Commonwealth to hear what Mrs. Arroyo has to say, my family and I went to Araneta Center.

The scenes are surreal. If you watch this video, people look like ants. This is one of the most phenomenal crowd scenes I've seen in years. The entire Araneta center was filled with people.

The INC is the only Philippine-based religious group with thousands of chapters throughout the world. It started at my birthplace, Punta Santa Ana Manila on July 27, 1914, the day when Austro-Hungarian forces invaded Serbia. INC Founder Felix Ysagun Manalo, a young preacher then, with his wife, Honorata, preached to workers of the AG&P (where my mother used to work also in the 1970's before she transferred to Malayan Insurance). A series of bible studies led to the baptism of the first INC members--fourteen workers of the AG&P.

He said it well and accurately for no one can alter historical facts.

To Jesus be the glory for fulfilling his promise keeping and protecting his Church against the powers of false prophets who would come after him. Indeed the gates of hell will not prevail. He is keeping his promise to be with his Church until the ends of times celebrating its 2,009th (our calendar shows that counting. Even the INC members use that counting anyway).

INC Sole Corporation's 95th Anniversary

(Source: The Splendor of the Church): Today almost all newspapers and our city streets are infested by paid messages or banners congratulating the Iglesia ni Manalo for the 95th anniversary of this cult. It is understandable for our politicians because they need the votes of the INC members who are famous for their block voting. Just like any cult this organization or rather this corporation is growing thanks to determined efforts of its ministers to lure Catholics into their fold and the lack of efforts on the part of the Catholic hierarchy to stop the tide of conversions to this sect.

Well, never mind. Let's just do our part.

It is very interesting that the INC considers July 27 as their most special day while they abhor the December 25 of Christmas. They are arguing that it is not written in the Bible that Jesus was born on December 25. Very interesting indeed... Why? Did they find in the Bible the verse stating that July 27 must be celebrated as the founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo? Ha, ha, ha... Of course not. Yet they rather not talk about it because it will destroy their corporation.

It is also interesting to observe the Succession of Authority in the Biblical Church founded by Jesus and that of the Iglesia founded by Felix Y. Manalo. First, the one founded by Jesus was established on Peter the Rock [Mt 16;18-19] while the Iglesia ni Cristo is founded by Felix Manalo et al by asking for the authority of the government. Ha, ha, ha... Second, the Lord Jesus didn't beget any child to be his successor but Felix Manalo left his son Eraño Manalo as the Chief Executive Minister of his self-founded sect. Very clever, isn't he? And, now that Eraño is in his old age the Vice Chief Executive is his own son, Eduardo. Amazing business acumen, these people have. Very bright. He, he, he... Read more...

Triumph? It's INC's 95th Anniversary

Today, the church of Felix Manalo is celebrating it's 95th Anniversary from its humble beginning in Sitio Punta, Sta. Ana in Manila. He registered his church in July 27, 1914 as Corporation sole.

Here's what their official magazine Pasugo is saying about their church called Iglesia ni Cristo (formerly known as Iglesia ni Kristo):

PASUGO Setyembre 1940, p. 1:
Dapat malaman ng lahat, ayon sa Bagong Tipan, ang tunay na INK ay si Cristo ang nagtatag nito."

PASUGO Nobyembre 1940, p. 23:
Iisa lamang ang tanging makapagtatayo ng Iglesiang magiging dapat sa Dios. Kung sino-- ang ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo lamang! Sino mang tao-- maging marunong o mangmang, maging dakila o hamak-- ay walang karapatang magtayo ng Iglesia"

PASUGO Mayo 1968, p. 7:
Ang tunay na INK ay iisa lamang. Ito ang Iglesiyang itinayo ni Cristo. Kung mayroon mang nagsisibangon ngayong mga Iglesia at sasabihing sila man ay Iglesia ni Cristo rin, ang mga ito ay hindi tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo kundi huwad lamang."

PASUGO Mayo 1954, p. 9:
Alin ang tunay na Iglesia? Ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo sa Jerusalem."

PASUGO Agosto-Setyembre 1964, p. 2,5:
Sino ang sinugo ng Dios upang maitatag ang Iglesia sa Pilipinas? Sa Isaias 46:11, ay ganito ang sabi: 'na tumatawag ng ibong mandaragit mula sa silanganan ang taong gumagawa ng aking payo mula sa malayong lupain" (Si Felix Manalo). Ayon sa kumakaaway sa INK sinasabi raw ng Rehistro na si Felix Manalo ang nagtatag ng INK."

PASUGO Mayo 1967, 9.14:
Sa panahong ito ng mga wakas na Lupa na nagsimula sa unang Digmaang Pandaigdig ay tatawag ang Dios ng kanyang huling sugo upang itatag ang kanyang Organisasyon. Kung gayon ang INK na lumitaw sa Pilipinas noong 1914, ay siyang Organisasyong Pinangunahan o Pinamahalaan ni Felix Manalo."

PASUGO Hulyo 1955, nasa panakip:
Iyon ang Iglesia ni Cristo na dapat pasukan ng lahat ng tao; at ang tanging sugo'y si kapatid na Felix Manalo."

PASUGO Hulyo 1952, p. 4:
Kung ang babalingan ng pag-uusapan ay ang nagtatag, dapat na siya ang may-ari ng itinatag, at sa kanya rin manggagaling ang mga aral at turo na ipinatutupad."

PASUGO Agosto-Setyembre 1964, p. 5
Kailan napatala sa Pamahalaan o narehistro ang INK sa Pilipinas? Noong Hulyo 27, 1914. Tunay nga na sinasabi sa rehistro na si Kapatid na F. Manalo ang nagtatag ng INK."

PASUGO Mayo 1952, p. 4
Kung ang babalingan ng pag-uusapan ay ang nagtatag, dapat na siya ang may-ari ng itinatag, at sa kanya rin manggagaling ang mga aral at turo na ipinatutupad."

PASUGO Nobyembre 1940, p. 23:
Iisa lamang ang tanging makapagtatayo ng Iglesiang magiging dapat sa Dios. Kung sino? -- Ang ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo lamang! Sinumang tao-- maging marunong o mangmang-- ay walang karapatang magtayo..."

PASUGO Mayo 1968, p. 7:
Ang tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo ay iisa lamang, ito ang Iglesiang itinayo ni Cristo. Kung mayroon mang nagsisibangon ngayong mga Iglesia at sasabihing sila man ay INK rin ang mga ito ay hindi tunay kundi huwad lamang!"

PASUGO Nobyembre 1960, p. 26:
Kaya't papaano makikilala ang sugo ng Dios at ang hindi sugo ng Dios: Sa aral makikilala ayon kay Jesus. Ang aral ng mga sugo ng Dios ay mula sa Dios, ang mg aral ng hindi sugo ng Dios, ay mula lamang sa kanyang sarili. (Juan 7: 16-18)

PASUGO Nobyembre 1959, p. 20:
Kaninong aral ang itinuturo ng Iglesia ni Cristo? Aral ng Dios, ni Cristo at ng mga Apostol na nasusulat sa Banal na Kasulatan. Walang aral si Kapatid na Felix Manalo na kinatha mula sa kanyang sarili."

PASUGO Mayo 1961, p. 4,
At sino nga ba ang gumagawa ng mga leksiong itinuturo ng mga ministro, maging sa mga pagsamba, mga doktrina o mga Propaganda? Ang Kapatid na Felix Manalo".

PASUGO Mayo 1963, p. 27:
Kaya't sa katuparan ng hula, ang lahat ng mga itinuturo ng mga Ministro ng INK sa mga pagsamba, sa mga doktrina, sa mga pamamahayag sa gitna ng bayan, ay si Kapatid na Felix Manalo lamang ang bumabalangkas at at nagtuturo sa kanila."

PASUGO Abril 1966, p. 46:
Ang Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay siyang Iglesia ni Cristo."

Catholics graced Iglesia ni Cristo's 95th FOUNDING Anniversary

Gracing the 95th Anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Manalo) celebration in Manila last July 27, 2009, were members of the "apostate Church" Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, Mr. Gerald Salonga and Ms. Lea Salonga had contributed their expertise in making the INC celebration really entertainining. (Their talent fee wasn't published).

According to Iglesia ni Cristo, the Catholic Church was the true Church of Christ built by Christ in Jerusalem. After the death of the last apostle, the original Church of Christ which was the Catholic Church turned its back to Christ's teachings when they taught about the Trinity. Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, Mr. Gerald Salonga and Ms. Lea Salonga are members of this apostate Church of Christ. In fact, the INC accuses the Catholic Church as the "Church of Satan", its priests as "demons" and Catholics as "sons (and daughters) of the Devil."

Pertaining to the apostate Lea Salonga, the EMCEE said "Even she's not a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, she graciously accepted on invitation for her to sing for us now."

So a "daughter of Satan" was invited by the "true" Church of Christ to sing for them. What a nice celebration indeed.!

Happy 95th Anniversary to the Iglesia ni Cristo!

Vietnam Top Leaders to visit Vatican

The President and the Government of Vietnam will visit the Vatican

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - Diplomatic relations and, perhaps, an invitation to Benedict XVI to visit Vietnam next year, where even John Paul II failed to make it. These are the hopes of Vietnamese Catholics spurred on by the news, given by Cardinal JB. Pham Minh Man and confirmed by the authorities, that in November a government delegation will visit the Vatican and the following month the President will meet the Pope.

The visit of the Vietnamese delegation has an important precedent; on 25 January 2007 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (pictured) was received at the Vatican. At that time it seemed that many of the issues which divide the two parties could have been resolved and that and that there was the possibility of establishing normal diplomatic relations on the horizon. It was not to be and Vietnamese Catholics continue to experience difficult times.

Relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, were not interrupted however and regular visits to the nation by a Holy See delegation continued. Now the government says that "a delegation of the Government of Vietnam will visit the Vatican in November 2009to discuss some issues involving relations on both sides, and on December 2009 Vietnam’s President will meet and for an exchange of views with the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the relations in a near future. "

For Catholics in Vietnam, the bishops ad limina visit in June of this year was a particularly important event. On that occasion, the chairman of the Bishops Conference, Msgr. Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, had expressed the hope that the pope might one day visit the country and recalled that the Church will celebrate a special Vietnamese jubilee year from 24 November 2009, the Solemnity of the martyrs of the country, to the Epiphany of 2011. Clearly the hope of Catholics is to see the Pope at that time, while the Vatican has said that next year, Benedict XVI will undertake a journey to Asia... Continue Reading

Traditional Anglican Seeking to be Home in Rome

Traditional Anglican Communion Still Seeking Full Communion with Rome (Article Source: Catholic Online; Photo Source: Wikipedia)

The Most Reverend John Hepworth, Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion and Ordinary to the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia, recently spoke to a gathering of the faithful at in the Queensland Synod (Australia).

We have followed the historic efforts of members of the Traditional Anglican Communion to seek full sacramental communion with the Roman Catholic Church. That is because we believe that to be Catholic is to be authentically ecumenical and to hunger for the full communion of the One Church of Jesus Christ, with legitimate diversity, in full communion with the Chair of Peter.

We present the following report from the Primate, Archbishop John Hepworth, which appeared on the website of the Traditional Anglican Communion. Clearly, the request continues and, given the horrid turn of events in the broader Anglican/Episcopal community, we invite prayers from all of our readers for a work of the Holy Spirit to open the proper doors:

“We [TAC] have grown too fast. What we have done was planned by God.”

Archbishop Hepworth said, “Our major problem has been that we have grown too fast. We have not had the infrastructure and the financial resources to cope and service the demands of new churches and missions worldwide. We are experiencing the growth of God amongst his faithful people in an Anglican Catholic way. Had we designed it, our endeavours would have been much easier to manage, but what we have done was planned by God.

“This is a time for deeper prayer. There are serious conversations. We do not seek unity with the Holy See because the local church is beautiful, not by our own experiences, but because it is right.

"We are a church which has sought unity of the wider church and in the process we have been transformed. This is a time for deeper prayer, discernment and transformation. Of learning what it is to be catholic...Read more!

Scott Saboy's Article about the Iglesia ni Cristo

"With the death of the Apostles… those who took over the reins of the Church began to espouse false doctrines (cf. Acts 20:29). Slowly but surely this organization continued to change and in 110 A.D., it adopted a new name – Catholic Church – rejecting the former name by which it was known at the time of the Apostles – Church of Christ. Hence, the members of this organization ceased to be God’s people. This is known in Church history as the apostasy of the Christian Church. (Source: Feljun B. Fuentes, “Why God Sends Messengers,” Pasugo 42 (May-June 1990)

"To re-establish the true Church of Christ, another messenger was sent from the Far East (Is. 43:5-6), to preach at the time of the “ends of the earth” (Is. 41: 9-10) which was heralded by “wars and rumors of wars” (Mt. 24:3, 33, 6-8) – World War I – that broke out on July 27, 1914, the exact date the Iglesia Ni Cristo was registered with the Philippine government. This messenger, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, sent not to found or establish a new Church but to effect the emergence of Christ’s “other sheep” (Jn. 10:16) – the Church of Christ in these last days.


"These texts illustrate the Iglesia’s method of interpretation known among students of Hermeneutics as prooftexting, or the act of stringing often unrelated Bible verses to prove a point — a tactic often used by all sectarian groups in their polemic engagements. I had used this tactic several times while preaching for another sect which also claims to be “the New Testament Church” restored in our time. Parenthetically, it is to their credit that some (Stone-Campbell) Church of Christ (CoC) preachers in the Philippines, although still insisting that the CoC is the true church, have seen the simplistic reasoning in the idea that the church died shortly after the first century and was revived in the 18th century by American preachers. Accordingly, they have modified their views on the matter. Readers who wish to pursue this may want to read an online article entitled, “Continuity or Restoration?” by Dr. Eusebio Tanicala, who I believe is the ablest apologist among all the local preachers of the CoC in the Philippines today..."

[Continue Reading The Iglesia’s Exclusivist Discourse , Scott Saboy's Article]

Pope leaves hospital after wrist surgery

Thanks to Rome Reports

Former Miss America in "Rosary Stars"

(Article and Photo Credit: CatholicTV Blog)
During the week of July 21th-26th CatholicTV will air “Rosary Stars”. “Rosary Stars” is a production which features young adult celebrities praying and reflecting upon the Rosary.

“Rosary Stars: Praying the Gospel” features champion athletes, actors, film directors, TV hosts, recording stars, authors and lecturers who emphasize the power of daily prayer of the Rosary and encourage viewers to live the Mysteries of the Rosary daily.
This uplifting series features such stars as 2006 World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan; five-time Major League All-Star Mike Sweeney; actor Matthew Marsden (Rambo and the upcoming Transformer sequel Revenge of the Fallen; actress Jessica Rey, TV host Matt Gallant (Animal Planet’s The Planet’s Funniest Animals); humanitarian, author and Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza; and Ali Landry, actress and former Miss America. Read more

For a free Catholic TV stream, visit Catholic TV

Christians Persecuted by Muslims in Pakistan

Young Christian Arrested for Blasphemy in Pakistan
Article & Photo Source: Catholic Online

FAISLABAD, Pakistan (ACN) - Bishops Joseph Coutts of Faislabad told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the charity for persecuted Christians, that a committee, made up of Christians and Muslims, was investigating a charge of burning pages from the Qur‘an against Imran Masih from ‘Hajwery, in the Punjab province.

The interfaith initiative follows an incident when a 1000-strong mob, burning tires and calling for Mr. Masih’s death, assembled outside Faisalabad district jail, where the 26-year-old Christian was being held.

On July 3rd, less than 48 hours after Mr. Masih was accused, the local Catholic Church arranged a meeting between Muslim scholars and Christians in Hajwery. Approximately 60 people from across the local community attended, including clerics, lawyers, lay people and relatives of the victim.

In a report to Bishop Coutts, local priest Fr. Yaqub Yousaf wrote: “In this meeting a committee was formed to study the case, prepare a genuine report, and inform the police and court.”

Bishop Coutts expressed his satisfaction that these channels are being used to resolve the tensions in Hajwery. He told ACN, “I am glad to know that Christian and Muslim leaders are tackling the problem together. This is the strategy I had worked out to deal with such emotionally-charged issues.”

Bishop Coutts, who has been in Germany on official business, has expressed a personal interest in the situation from the beginning, asking Fr Yousaf to keep him updated about developments and pledging to “pray that the problem will be settled.” Read More...

Other Church's News:
Malaysia: Nine Christians Arrested, accused of proselytizing
Pope Prays for Conversion of Iraqis who Persecute Christians

TUMBUKIN NATIN of Bro. Cenon Bibe Jr.

I don’t know Bro. Cenon Bibe Jr. until recently I met Bro. Ariel Vitor from Angono, Rizal who’s very active in defending the Church against the cult of Felix Manalo and the “Ang Dating Daan” by Eli Soriano. He joined the Pearl Village Choir the same day I joined. Since we lived together next door, we decided to have a “Christ-walk” after work and so we tackled religion and apologetics. He then introduced me to Bro. Cenon’s “Tumbok” tabloid’s articles.

I tried searching his name in Wikipedia but there’s no available article for this articulated Filipino apologist. Good thing is that I came across his blog at Tumbukin Natin. Here’s one of Bro. Ariel’s treasured articles of Bro. Cenon.

IGLESIA NATALIKOD? MAY BATAYAN BA?
November 29, 2007

NITO pong mga nakaraang araw ay inilabas natin ang mga PATOTOO ng ilang miyembro ng grupong "Iglesia ni Cristo" o INC at ng OPISYAL nlang MAGAZINE na NAGPAPATUNAY na ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA ang TUNAY na IGLESIA.

Ayon po sa miyembro ng INC ang TUNAY na IGLESIA ni KRISTO ay yung ITINATAG ni Kristo noong UNANG SIGLO.

Sinasabi naman po sa April 1966 issue ng PASUGO, ang MAGAZIN ng INC, ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA ang "SIYANG IGLESIA NI KRISTO" mula noon pa sa PASIMULA.

So MALINAW po na TANGGAP ng miyembro ng INC at ng MAGAZINE nila na TUNAY ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA.

Pero ang sinasabi po nila ya "NATALIKOD" daw ang KATOLIKO kaya hindi na raw iyan ang "tunay."

Sa madaling salita po ay NANINIWALA sila na TUNAY ang KATOLIKO noong UNANG SIGLO pero "NATALIKOD" daw ito.

Ngayon, PAANO kung HINDI NATALIKOD ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA o ang UNANG IGLESIA? Ibig lang po sabihin niyan ay ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA nga ang TUNAY hanggang ngayon at ang IBA PANG "IGLESIA NI CRISTO" ay HINDI TOTOO.

ALAM po natin na IGLESIA KATOLIKA ang TUNAY na IGLESIA ni KRISTO pero "for the sake of argument" ay tatalakayin po natin iyan.

So, NATALIKOD po ba ang UNANG IGLESIA?

Ang simpleng sagot po ay HINDI. WALA pong BATAYAN sa BIBLIYA ang ARAL na NATALIKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA o ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA.

Mismo pong PASUGO ng INC ay NAGPATOTOO na HINDI MAITATALIKOD o HINDI MAAAGAW nino man ang TUPA ni KRISTO.

Sabi nga po sa MAY 1968 ISSUE ng PASUGO, "Isang dakilang kapalaran ang maging Tupa o Tauhan ni Cristo sapagkat sila'y binibigyan niya nang walang hanggang buhay at HINDI SILA MALILIPOL KAILANMAN."

PURIHIN ang DIYOS!

PASUGO na ang NAGPATOTOO na HINDI NA NATALIKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA dahil ayon mismo roon ay HINDI KAILANMAN MALILIPOL ang mga TUPA o MIYEMBO ng TUNAY na IGLESIA NI KRISTO.

TAMA po na HINDI MAITATALIKOD ang IGLESIA dahil iyan ang PANGAKO ni HESUS.

Sa John 10:28 ay sinasabi ni HESUS patungkol sa mga TUPA NIYA, "BIBIGYAN ko sila ng BUHAY na WALANG HANGGAN at HINDING-HINDI SILA MALILIPOL."

WALANG MAKAKAAGAW sa KANILA mula sa AKING KAMAY."

PURIHIN ang DIYOS!

Nagsalita si Hesus noon pang UNANG SIGLO at ang tinutukoy Niya riyan ay ang mga TUPA NIYA na NAROON NA sa UNANG SIGLO.

Ibig pong sabihin niyan ay MULA pa NOONG UNANG SIGLO ay HINDI NA MAAAGAW at HINDI MALILIPOL ang mga UNANG KRISTIYANO o ang mga MIYEMBRO ng UNANG IGLESIA.

TINIYAK po ni KRISTO na HINDI MAAAGAW o MALILIPOL ang mga TUPA NIYA.

Dahil diyan ang aral po na NALIPOL o NAITALKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA ay isang aral na KOTRA sa ARAL ni KRISTO o ARAL ANTIKRISTO.

GUSTO pong PALABASIN ng nagsasabi na NATALIKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA ay "NAGSINUNGALING" si KRISTO o naging PABAYA.

HINDI po ba PAMUMUSONG kay KRISTO ang sabihin na NAAGAW sa Kanyang kamay ang mga TUPA NIYA?

Ang NAGSASABI po na NATALIKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA ay INIINSULTO at BINABASTOS si KRISTO

Sa Matthew 28:20 po ay NANGAKO rin si HESUS ng ganito sa Kanyang mga ALAGAD, "AKO ay KASAMA NINYO hanggang sa KATAPUSAN ng SANLIBUTAN."

Kung paniniwalaan po natin ang mga nagsasabi na 'NATALIKOD" ang UNANG IGLESIA ay sasabihin natin na "SINUNGALING si HESUS."

Bakit sinungaling?

Sinabi po kasi Niya na "KASAMA" natin SIYA HANGGANG SA KATAPUSAN ng SANLIBUTAN tapos palalabasin natin na INIWAN NIYA ang IGLESIA kaya "NATALIKOD."

Ano ang TAWAG natin sa NANGAKO na KASAMA pero MANG-IIWAN din pala? Hindi po ba SINUNGALING?

So ang NAGSASABI na NATALIKOD ang IGLESIA noong UNANG SIGLO ay PINAGBIBINTANGAN si HESUS na MANG-IIWAN at SINUNGALING.

Ang matindi pa riyan ay pati ESPIRITU SANTO ay PINAGBIBINTANGAN nila ng KAPABAYAAN.

Ayon sa John 16:13, ang ESPIRITU SANTO ang GAGABAY sa IGLESIA o mga ALAGAD ni KRISTO.

Ang nagsasabi na NATALIKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA ay nagsasabi na PUMALPAK ang ESPIRITU SANTO. At iyan ay KASALANANG MALAKI sa ESPIRITU SANTO.

Sabi po ni HESUS sa Mt. 12:32, ang GUMAWA ng KASALANAN sa ESPIRITU SANTO ay HINDI MAPAPATAWAD.

Ibig sabihin, ang magsasabi na NATALIKOD ang UNANG IGLESIA ay HINDI NA MAPAPATAWAD.

Kay MATAKOT po sana ang mga NAGSASABI ng GANYAN.

Catholic Athletes for Christ

Have you thought that one day, the smallest country in the world would be sending its own athlete delegates to the Olympics? If then, who would be these athletes? Priests? Nuns? Or the Pope being there to grace the Olympics?

I don't think that's possible in the near future. That's because the Vatican with it's small number of population which is composed mostly of religious people, are there particularly for running the affairs of the Universal Church, praying and helping Christians around the world and promote the Gospel values to nations and to bring hope. However those keen athletes can represent Christ in every sports they ar into. Consider the story about the Red Sox Mike Lowell who has been diagnosed with cancer and recently confesses that it was through his faith in the Lord as Catholic that saved him from this deadly desease.

For that same reason, our brother in the Lord Ray McKenna thought of spreading Christ even in sports which the late Servant of God Pope John Paul, The Great.

Here's what I've extracted from their site:

Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) serves Catholic athletes in the practice of their faith and shares the Gospel in and through sports. We work with athletes at all levels of sport in an effort to promote a Catholic sports culture. CAC was formed in response to Pope John Paul II's call to evangelize the world of sports and his establishment of the Vatican's Office of Sports.

As St. Paul's epistles teach us, Christ is God’s true athlete and we are made perfect when, and only when, we imitate Him. John Paul II advises us that, "Every Christian is called to become a strong athlete of Christ, that is a faithful and courageous witness to His Gospel." We invite you to join us as an "athlete for Christ."

Ray McKenna,
Founder of Catholic Athletes for Christ


Our Mission
The mission of Catholics Athletes for Christ (CAC) is to serve Catholic athletes and share the Gospel of Christ in and through athletics.

Our Goal
The goal of Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) is to provide an integrated network of sports oriented clergy and lay people to serve Catholic athletes, coaches and staff in the practice of their faith and to utilize the unique platform given to them to reach the world for Jesus Christ and His Church.

Our Vision
• To provide solid Catholic role models
• To work with the Church leadership and Catholic organizations
• To minister to Catholic athletes, coaches and staff
• To reverse the moral crisis in sports today
• To create a network of Catholic athletes, coaches and staff
• To organize sports conferences, pilgrimages, retreats and days of reflection

Charity in Truth by Pope Benedict XVI

ENCYCLICAL LETTER
CARITAS IN VERITATE
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
BENEDICT XVI
TO THE BISHOPS
PRIESTS AND DEACONS
MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS
THE LAY FAITHFUL
AND ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL
ON INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
IN CHARITY AND TRUTH

INTRODUCTION

1. Charity in truth, to which Jesus Christ bore witness by his earthly life and especially by his death and resurrection, is the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every person and of all humanity. Love — caritas — is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that has its origin in God, Eternal Love and Absolute Truth. Each person finds his good by adherence to God's plan for him, in order to realize it fully: in this plan, he finds his truth, and through adherence to this truth he becomes free (cf. Jn 8:22). To defend the truth, to articulate it with humility and conviction, and to bear witness to it in life are therefore exacting and indispensable forms of charity. Charity, in fact, “rejoices in the truth” (1 Cor 13:6). All people feel the interior impulse to love authentically: love and truth never abandon them completely, because these are the vocation planted by God in the heart and mind of every human person. The search for love and truth is purified and liberated by Jesus Christ from the impoverishment that our humanity brings to it, and he reveals to us in all its fullness the initiative of love and the plan for true life that God has prepared for us. In Christ, charity in truth becomes the Face of his Person, a vocation for us to love our brothers and sisters in the truth of his plan. Indeed, he himself is the Truth (cf. Jn 14:6). Read the whole Encyclical...