MARCH 2015 ARTICLE 4

MDS NEWSLETTER

Date Issued: March 2015

50TH IGLESIA NI CRISTO

       The 2015 Iglesia ni Cristo leadership controversy is a dispute between senior members of the Christian denomination Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). In July 2015, it was reported that the INC has expelled some of its ministers, along with high-profile members Felix Nathaniel "Angel" and Cristina "Tenny" Manalo. Angel is the brother of current INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo and Tenny is the mother of Eduardo, and widow of former Executive Minister Eraño Manalo.

     Angel and Tenny were expelled from the INC for "sowing disunity" in the church. The INC administration released a statement claiming that Eduardo agreed to the expulsion of his brother and mother from the INC, as decided upon by its overall leadership. However, both Angel and Tenny claimed their lives were threatened by the Iglesia's administration. Angel and Tenny are reportedly being illegally detained at the Iglesia's Central Office Complex in Tandang Sora, Queson City and that at least ten ministers of the church are missing and alleged to have been abducted.

      Former INC ministers Roel Rosal and Isaias Samson, Jr., claim the Sanggunián (the highest administrative council of the INC) had unlawfully abducted and detained ministers, along with members of the Manalo family, in order to cover up corruption surrounding the Iglesia's chief auditor, Glicerio "Jun" Santos, Jr. On July 24, 2015, the Iglesia ni Cristo, represented by Glicerio B. Santos, IV, head counsel of the INC and son of Santos, Jr. filed a libel complaint against Samson.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Iglesia_ni_Cristo_leadership_controversy