(Eagle News) — Philippine ambassador to New Zealand Jesus Domingo visited Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo on Tuesday, April 10, at the INC Central Office in Quezon City and also toured the Church’s museum for the first time.
The Ambassador also emphasized how the appointment of the INC Executive Minister as the Philippine envoy for overseas Filipino concerns would help the Department of Foreign Affairs in its work of addressing the needs of overseas Filipino workers.
“First, I congratulated him on his appointment as special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns. It really cements the actual long-standing partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Iglesia Ni Cristo,” Domingo said after his talk with Brother Eduardo at the INC Central Office.
The Ambassador said he had been invited to several worship services of the INC in New Zealand, including the inauguration of the Church’s house of worship in Christchurch where he first met the INC Executive Minister.
Domingo said that he also extended the greetings of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Brother Eduardo’s appointment.
He also said he is interested in exploring ways on “how we can really maximize this beautiful opportunity of partnership with the Executive Minister as now the special envoy” of overseas Filipino concerns.
“That will imply we have the mandate to work together and to have a closer partnership between our embassies and consulates and the Iglesia (Ni Cristo) all over the world,” he said.
He said that the DFA is also looking at ways on “how to operationalize” this partnership.
“That is one of the challenges but also one the things I’m really looking forward to in working closely with the Iglesia,” he said.
Ambassador Domingo also observed that the INC’s various international humanitarian work was truly commendable and is a source of pride for every Filipino.
“I’m so impressed with the international humanitarian work of the Iglesia – from Japan, to South Africa to the Middle East, the Philippines. The work of the Iglesia is a positive reflection on the Filipino nation as a whole,” he said.
Ambassador Domingo said he was also fascinated with the features and the things that he learned during his visit on Tuesday of the INC Museum in Quezon City, that he is recommending for Filipinos, and tourists from all over the world, to include this in their itinerary.
He said that it was something that would surely make Filipinos proud.
“We’re also promoting tourism, so for our friends all over the world, please come to the Philippines. It’s more fun in the Philippines. And also do make it a point to come to the Central (office of the Iglesia Ni Cristo) and visit the Museum. It is something that is not just for the Iglesia, but also for all Filipinos. It also showcases (what) I think is the special role of the Filipino people as laid out in the Bible and in the Christian faith,” Ambassador Domingo said. (with a release from the INC Public Information Office)