Iglesia ni Cristo minister in California quits post

A minister of Iglesia ni Cristo has announced that he is quitting his position during a gathering of members in Fremont, California on Saturday morning.

 

As he announces his resignation from his position, Louie Cayabyab said that he refuses to read the circular informing that Cristina Manalo, wife of the late Iglesia ni Cristo executive minister Eraño Manalo, and her son, Felix Nathaniel "Angel" Manalo, have been expelled from the religious group.

 

A footage of Cayabyab reading his resignation was posted on YouTube on Saturday.

 

Several female members were heard crying from the video's background as Cayabyab announces his resignation.

 

“Beloved brethren, there are two circulars that are supposed to be read this morning. The first circular is about the expulsion from the Church of the wife and children of Bro. Erano G. Manalo. And another circular is the expulsion from the Church of Bro. Isaias T. Samson Jr., former editor-in-chief of The Pasugo. I decided, brethren, that I won’t read those circulars. You might be asking, 'why?' Because in my heart, in my heart of hearts, I can’t take it. It is, it is just so so difficult to betray one’s heart,” he said.

 

Cayabyab said there was a big possibility that he would also be expelled from Iglesia ni Cristo for his action.

 

Despite this, he implored that the members remain in church no matter what happens.

 

“I know the repercussion of this and I know what will be the consequence... but I will take it brothers and sisters. We admonish you to remain in the Church no matter what happens,” he said.

 

Iglesia ni Cristo on Thursday expelled the Cristina and Angel for allegedly sowing disharmony among its members following the online publication of their video on Wednesday  night, where they said their lives are in danger.

 

Meanwhile, Samson and his family were expelled from the Iglesia ni Cristo on Friday due to his refusal to submit to the authority of the religious group. 

 

In a Facebook video, Samson urged members of the religious organization to side with the truth amid all the controversy being faced by their leaders.

“Ito ay hindi labanan ng mga salita. Ito ay labanan ng kasamaan at kabutihan, ng katotohanan at kamalian. Gusto ko lamang pong sabihin sa inyo na sundin natin ang tama. Marami na kayong narinig. Timbangin ninyong mabuti,” he said in the video.

 

He appealed directly to Iglesia's spokespersons Bien Santiago and Edwil Joy Zabala to reveal the alleged irregularities that have been happening inside the organization, allegedly led by its general auditor Glicerio Santos, Jr. and his family.

 

In a report on GMA News TV's "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho" on Thursday, Samson claimed that there are anomalies involving Iglesia's socio-civic program "Lingap sa Mamamayan."

 

The former minister said, “Mga kapatid, magkakaibigan tayo at matagal tayong nagkasama at alam ko at alam ninyo kung ano ang nangyayari sa Iglesia. Hindi ko lamang maintindihan kung bakit ang katulad ninyo na mga ministro ay hindi masabi ang tunay ninyong niloloob at tunay ninyong nakikita. Alam ninyo na sa ating pag-uusap kahit pa noon ay kayoo rin ang nagbabanggit ng mga katiwalian na ginagawa ni kapatid na Glicerio Santos, Jr.”

 

Samson also shared a particular conversation with Santiago where the latter supposedly said "wala tayong magagawa sapagkat siya ang apple of the eye ng mga namamahala."

 

“Sana, kung kayo man ay magsasalita pa, maging Spokesperson kayo ng Diyos at hindi ng mga taong inyong ipinagtatanggol. Marami nang pruweba, at ang mga pruwebang 'yan ay kayo mismo ang nakakaalam, ang mga kapatid nakikita nila ang mga katiwaliang pinangungunahan ni Glicerio Santos, Jr. at ng kaniyang pamilya,” the former “Pasugo” editor added.

 

In a phone interview on Sunday, Zabala said that they are not aware of the resignation of Cayabyab and the video of Samson as they were busy with the 101st anniversary celebration of the religious organization.

 

“I am not aware of that (both Cayabyab's resignation and Samson's statement). We have been busy with the activities connected to our anniversary. I haven't had the time to focus on anything but our ongoing celebrations,” he said.

 

Members of the Iglesia ni Cristo on Sunday flocked to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan to mark the religious group's 101st anniversary, causing heavy traffic on parts of the North Luzon Expressway on Saturday night to Sunday morning. 

 

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino said in a dzBB radio interview that at least 2 million people attended the anniversary at the arena. — ALG, GMA News