Iglesia ni Cristo leader Manalo passes away

MANILA, Philippines - The politically influential Iglesia ni Cristo’s leader Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo died on Monday of cardio-pulmonary arrest. He was 84.

Manalo was executive minister of the two-million-strong Iglesia ni Cristo (INC, or Church of Christ), founded by Eraño’s father Felix Manalo in 1914.

Ka Erdy took over the administration of the church after his father’s death in 1963, serving as executive minister of INC for 46 years. The INC firmly believes that Bro. Felix was a mere instrument of God in re-establishing the Church.

The INC instructs its members to vote as a bloc and is eagerly courted by politicians seeking their endorsement during presidential and other elections.

It also owns a television network as well as other businesses, and the Manalos are regarded as among the most powerful families in modern Philippine history.

Iglesia and other indigenous Christian churches often clash with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the main religion in the Philippines that counts over 80 percent of the 92-million population as members.

Sect members believe that Felix Manalo was the last messenger of God and that the Holy Trinity does not exist.       

Thousands line up for Manalo

Thousands of INC members yesterday flocked to the central headquarters of INC to pay their last respects to their revered executive minister.

INC followers, in their desire to catch a glimpse of Bro. Erdy, were oblivious to the heat and long queues and some wept silently.

Inside the jampacked Templo Central (Central Temple) some people fainted from the heat and exhaustion. 

People started to mass up in front of the INC headquarters as early as 1 p.m. or a few hours after the announcement of Bro. Erdy’s death.

INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago made the announcement over INC- owned TV network Net 25 Tuesday morning. By 7 p.m. the remains of Manalo arrived at the Templo Central and the public viewing started. His wake will be held for a week.

At around 3 p.m., family members and relatives of Bro. Erdy, including brothers Bienvenido and Amando, left Templo Central for Bro. Erdy’s residence, located within the INC compound in Quezon City, for some private time with the INC leader. They returned to Templo Central at 5:25 p.m.

Some of the INC members, including New Era University students, had been waiting to enter the compound as early as 1 p.m.

The Quezon City Police District has deployed about 300 policemen to secure the perimeter of the INC Templo Central during Manalo’s wake, said Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego.

As of 6 p.m. yesterday, some 3,000 INC members were lined up outside the INC gates for the scheduled public viewing of Manalo’s remains, said Superintendent Alex Sintin, commander of the QCPD-Station 3.

“We expect this to be a 24/7 activity leading to the funeral so we might ask for augmentation to secure the area,” San Diego said.

INC security guards, however, allowed several government officials and VIPs to enter the Templo Central, including El Shaddai spiritual leader Mike Velarde, Sen. Manny Villar, his wife Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, Sen. Lito Lapid, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Erap leads mourners

Former President Joseph Estrada mourned Bro. Erdy’s death, saying “Ka Erdy was a man of exceptional faith under whose leadership the Iglesia ni Cristo was able to grow from a small church in Punta, Sta. Ana, to more than 800 churches internationally.”

“We will always remember him for the discipline he instilled in the followers of INC and the spirit of reconciliation he tried to impart upon the leaders of our nation,” Estrada said.

The House of Representatives, through Speaker Prospero Nograles, has also extended its condolences to the Manalo family and suspended session yesterday in deference to his passing.

Senators also condoled and paid tribute to Bro. Erdy as the Senate adjourned session yesterday. 

The senators led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile approved Senate Resolution No. 1331 citing Manalo “for his steadfast commitment and his unwavering dedication to the spreading of the message of God Almighty.” – With Jose Rodel Clapano, James Mananghaya, Evelyn Macairan Delon Porcalla, Aurea Calica, Paolo Romero, Reinir Pa-dua, Dennis Carcamo