(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo reiterated its official statement regarding the latest allegations made by expelled INC members, particularly Lolita “Lottie” Hemedez, who had accused the INC of falsifying documents pertaining to its ownership of the two-hectare lot at no. 36 Tandang Sora Avenue.
In this video of the INC’s official stand on the matter, INC spokesperson minister Edwil Zabala vehemently denied these malicious allegations and expressed the INC’s “firm belief” in the country’s justice system where, he said, the truth will eventually come out.
He also reiterated the INC administration’s position that the Church was “not a family corporation,” but a religion that “stands firm in obeying God’s teachings in the Bible.”
The INC statement also cited the biblical verses Matthew 12:47-50, emphasizing that “obedience is thicker than blood,” and that the INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo’s “supreme expression” of caring for his family, siblings and mother is “by teaching and leading them in obedience to the will of our Lord God.”
Here is the INC’s official statement:
The Iglesia Ni Cristo Administration vehemently denies the malicious allegations being hurled against us. The INC leadership will never do anything that can ruin the reputation of the Church. We have firm belief in our country’s justice system, and since legal measures have already been taken, let us allow justice to take its course in accordance with the law. We have complete trust that just like in the previous lawsuits against us, the truth will eventually come out and it will be revealed who are telling the truth.
In the event that Lottie and company will refuse to vacate peacefully and voluntarily, the leadership will have to push through with its eviction case against her.
We wish to reiterate that the INC is not a family corporation. It is a religion that stands firm in obeying God’s teachings in the Bible. Hence, even the regulations implemented within the Church are based on the Bible. Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, being the Church’s Executive Minister, has sworn to uphold these principles, even in matters pertaining to his caring for his relatives, siblings and mother. As the Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 12:47-50 (The Message): While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you.” Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Thus, the supreme expression of caring for them is by teaching and leading them in obedience to the will of our Lord God. The other relatives and siblings of Brother Eduardo Manalo can attest that he has been upholding this duty along with the provision of their material needs. However, if and when any of them refuses to obey the teachings, he also must and will enforce the disciplinary actions as decreed in the Bible.