Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eraño Manalo died

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eraño G. Manalo passed away at age 84 yesterday, August 31. The death was confirmed by his doctor, Rey Melchor Santos.

The INC head died of cardiopulmonary arrest.

Ka Erdy to Iglesia ni Cristo members, was the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo. He took over the administration of the church after the death of his father, then current executive minister Felix Manalo on April 12, 1963. He was instrumental in the propagation and expansion of the church internationally.

Trivia about Eraño G. Manalo:

His name is the reversal and elision of “new era,” which his father used to describe what he felt was “a new Christian era” as the Iglesia ni Cristo was established.

INC spokesperson Bienvenido Santiago said that Manalo’s remains would lie in state at INC’s Central Temple in Quezon City. Further details would be announced, Santiago added.

My thoughts are with the Manalo family and the Iglesia ni Cristo Church.

Iglesia ni Cristo mourns death of chief minister Eraño Manalo

IGLESIA NI Cristo (INC) executive minister Eraño "Ka Erdy" G. Manalo died on Monday at the age of 84, the church announced yesterday.

An official statement from the INC said Mr. Manalo died of cardiopulmonary arrest at his residence.

The INC, which has about two million members, is considered a political force with politicians seeking its endorsement during elections as the group practices bloc voting.

Proof of this influence was the Senate and House of Representatives’ decision to suspend sessions yesterday in deference to Mr. Manalo, even as many lawmakers are expected to extend their condolences or attend the wake at the INC headquarters along Don Mariano Marcos (Commonwealth) Ave. in Diliman, Quezon City. The INC has yet to announce interment plans.

The church had endorsed the candidacies of presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos, Joseph E. Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

There is no official announcement yet on Mr. Manalo’s successor, although his son Eduardo is current deputy executive minister. Eraño took over the church’s leadership from his father, Felix, who founded the organization in 1914.

"We request the ministers and evangelical workers, church officers and members of the INC to pray to God for his continued guidance for the whole church and to give us strength to enable us to bear this terrible loss and grief," Bienvenido Santos, INC spokesman, said in the statement yesterday.

The INC, which recently celebrated its 95^th anniversary, owns a television network as well as other businesses, and the Manalos are regarded as among the most powerful families in modern Philippine history.

The INC and other indigenous churches often clash with the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, the main religion in the Philippines that counts over 80% of the 92 million population as members. Sect members believe that Felix was the last messenger of God, and that the Holy Trinity does not exist.

Meanwhile, Jesus is Lord (JIL) church founder Eduardo C. Villanueva extended his condolences to the INC. "His quiet but commanding presence in many social and national affairs will be particularly missed. Bro. Eddie, however, trusts that Ka Erdy has left a ministry that will carry on his legacy of contributing to no-nonsense nation building," a JIL statement read.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Angel N. Lagdameo told reporters he "would like to express my prayerful condolences to his bereaved family and the INC community. May he rest in peace." — Emilia Narni J. David and AFP

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.