Iglesia Ni Cristo head dies

MANILA, Philippines— (UPDATE 5) Eraño Manalo, religious leader of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, passed away in his home Monday, an official of one of the country’s largest religious groups said Tuesday.

Manalo, INC executive minister, passed away at 3:53 p.m. of August 31, said INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago in a statement aired over the INC-owned television network Net 25 Tuesday morning.

Manalo was 84.

“Ikinalulungkot naming ipabatid sa buong Iglesia at sa buong sambayanan na ang tagapamahalang pangkalahatan ng Iglesia ni Cristo, ang kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo, ay pinagpahinga na ng Diyos. Pumanaw siya sa kanyang tahanan sa ganap na 3:53 kahapon Agosto 31, 2009, sa gulang na 84 taon (We are sad to let the entire Church and the entire country that the overall administrator of the Church of Christ, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, has been called to rest by God. He died in his home at exactly 3:53 yesterday, August 31, 2009, at the age of 84),” Santiago said.

Quoting Manalo's doctor Rey Melchor Santos, Santiago said the religious leader died of cardiopulmonary arrest.

“Hinihiling namin na patnubayan ang buong Iglesia sa panahon ng matinding dalamhati (We request that the entire Church be guided during this time of severe grief),” Santiago said in a brief statement on television.

The wake will be open to the public later this Tuesday.

The remains of Manalo will be interred at the Templo Sentral of the INC in Quezon City, Santiago said.

The Iglesia, which has ministries around the world, is a known political force, voting as a bloc during elections.

It celebrated its 95th founding anniversary last July.

Under Manalo, the INC became global.

Its first local congregation outside the Philippines was organized in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA on July 27, 1968.

INC has over 5,400 local congregations (roughly equivalent to parishes) in 90 countries and territories, with a membership composed of 102 nationalities.