MANILA, Philippines - The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) congregation is now almost back to normal after the recent crisis that rocked the religious sect.
Executive minister Eduardo Manalo initiated a “tanging pagtitipon” – a special worship service – Wednesday night in select churches.
He has denied corruption and other allegations hounding the INC and urged members not to listen to those who are fomenting discord.
“Ka Eduardo said not to believe detractors because they have no proof,” an insider told The STAR in Filipino. “He said that they are just creating divisions within INC.”
Eduardo urged them to strengthen their faith and to ignore those trying to malign their religion, the insider said.
”He was calling on us to be obedient and to adhere to the administration,” the insider said in Filipino.
The INC was rocked with criticisms a few days after Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, younger brother of Eduardo, and their mother, Cristina “Tenny,” posted a one-minute video asking help from their supporters as their lives were allegedly in danger.
A few minutes after the video was posted, Eduardo expelled Angel and Tenny, along with his other siblings Lottie and Marco.
The special worship service started at 7:15 p.m. and ended at 8:15 p.m., the insider said.
Eduardo read a lot of biblical verses and gave pieces of advice after every verse, the source added.
The special service started with the INC’s hymn, prayers and the reading of biblical verses.
A lot of ministers became emotional when Eduardo uttered: “Magtatagumpay ang kalaban kung mamatay na ako (The enemy will be victorious if I die),” the source added.