IN the face of the most recent allegations being hurled against the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), particularly those coming from expelled INC member Lolita Hemedez and her group, the INC released an official statement on Friday to shed light on these claims.
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo administration vehemently denies the malicious allegations being hurled against us. The INC leadership will never do anything that can ruin the reputation of the Church,” INC Spokesman Edwil Zabala said, citing the INC’s official statement in reaction to the cases of estafa and falsification of public documents filed by Hemedez.
“We have firm belief in our country’s justice system, and since we have taken legal measures, let us allow justice to take its course in accordance with the law. We have complete trust that just like in the previous lawsuits against us, the truth will eventually come out and it will be revealed who are telling the truth,” he said.
The INC also said that it would proceed with the proper legal proceedings for the ejectment of Hemedez and sibling Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo from the INC housing at 36 Tandang Sora Avenue in Quezon City.
“In the event that Lottie and company will refuse to vacate peacefully and voluntarily, the leadership will have to push through with its eviction case against her,” Zabala said.
Zabala added that the INC administration also reiterated its position that obedience to God’s teachings in the Bible takes precedence over everything else, and that “obedience is thicker than blood” citing a verse in the Bible.
He added that the INC administration’s position that the Church was not a “family corporation” and that Lottie and Angel were not exempt from following the INC doctrines, all of which are based on the Bible.
Hemedez had claimed that it was her brother’s responsibility to take care of them, referring to INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
Zabala said Hemedez and her group should be reminded of the primary responsibility of any INC member, which was to follow the Church’s teachings, including submission to the Church administration which is also based on the Bible.
“We wish to reiterate that the INC is not a family corporation. It is a religion that stands firm in obeying God’s teachings in the Bible. Hence, even the regulations implemented within the Church are based on the Bible,” he said.
7 comments
INC is in deep SHT today.
Napakasamang halimbawa ang ginagawa ngayon ng mga nagpapalakad sa INC. Minahal ni Kristo ang kaniyang kaaway pero ang INC pinagmamalupitan ang mga kaanib na tiwalag.
Itiniwalag sila last July pa. Pasalamat nga sila di pa sila pinalayas nung time na yun. Pinayagan pa silang makatira dun kahit wala na silang karapatan. Ano iginanti nila? Lalong nanira sa INC, tapos nagpapapasok pa ng mga armadong lalaki sa loob ng compound. Di kaya umaabuso na silang masyado para pagpasensyahan pa?
I assume that you will do the same to your brother, sister or parent. Give it some thought because as I mentioned, Christ preached to love thy enemy. The way I see it, INC members promote hate and never forgive contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Nah, if this is only between Ka Eduardo and his family and Ka Eduardo is not the executive minister then that Christ’s teaching may apply. But this concerns the whole church. Sinisira nila ang Iglesia at ibinibilad sa kahihiyan. Nakasulat din sa Biblia ang ganito (II John 1:10-11 Amplified Bible):
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings.”
Anyway, I assume that you are an INC. I admire your church then but after what your leader did to her Mother and siblings, I can only assume that all of you will do the same and it is for this reason that I have lost the admiration to the once respectable INC members. I mean no bad intent to you and thanks for the exchange of ideas.
I understand your opinion because you can only see what’s in the news and you don’t know yet what’s behind the scenes. Mas lalong masakit sa aming mga INC ang mga nangyari (I remember my parents said they weren’t able to sleep all night the day Tenny, Marco, Lottie, and Angel Manalo were expelled). Pero napakaraming dahilan kung bakit ngayon wala na kaming pinaniniwalaan pa sa mga sinasabi ng kampo nina Angel and Lottie. This is one of them and I highly suggest you read this:
https://theiglesianicristo.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-letter-from-sister-cristina-jurado.html?m=1