That Iglesia rift
I HAVE many friends who are with the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), that’s why I find unfortunate the factional strife that surfaced within its rank. That peaked the other day with the expulsion from the religious group of four members of the family of the late Eraño Manalo, the long-time former INC executive director, by another member of the clan. Interestingly, the INC will celebrate the 101st anniversary of its founding on Monday.
Traditional media only caught wind of the internal INC rift the other day although it had probably been simmering for months, even years. Members of one INC faction used social media to air their grievances weeks before but it was when Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, son of Eraño, posted a video of his and his mother Tenny’s (Cristina) appeal to INC followers that the conflict was brought into the open.
Angel’s appeal sparked worries because it included claims of threats to their lives and of some INC ministers having gone missing. INC executive director Eduardo Manalo, Angel’s brother, promptly expelled Angel, Tenny and two other members of the family. (Eduardo, together with the socalled “Sanggunian,” leads the INC).
Angel reacted by alleging rampant corruption within the religious group.
We don’t know where this rift will bring the INC. What authorities can do in the meantime, however, is to follow up allegations about some INC ministers being held against their will, even suffering physical abuse, and of some police elements helping the supposed perpetrators. These are serious accusations not encompassed by religious freedom.
Police elements did look into the allegations, though. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to also do some checking. Officers of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) have visited the Manalo compound in Quezon City. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista also went there.
What makes this conflict damaging to the INC is that it involves descendants of its founder, Felix Manalo. Also, one of the sources of the conflict seems to be the handling of the church’s finances, which are largely sourced from tithes and monetary contributions of members. Add to that the differences in views on where the church is headed.
The swiftness with which Eduardo expelled from the INC four members of his own family could mean: one, the conflict has been simmering for too long already; two, this is the start of a purge meant to consolidate Eduardo’s hold on the INC. Indeed, Angel’s call for INC members to gather for a vigil at the Manalo compound is like a signal for a coup.
This is the problem with an organization that is run like a family corporation. Battles for control eventually surface especially after the patriarch passes away. It looks like the personalities battling for control here are the four members of the clan headed by Angel on one side and Eduardo and the INC’s “Sanggunian” on the other. This early, it seems like Eduardo’s stint as INC executive director is secure. Those who are sympathetic to the Angel faction seem to have lost the courage to go against the INC’s established leaders. This is not surprising because Eduardo’s faction acted swiftly and decisively. Besides, INC members are not known to rebel against “authority.” But I don’t think the wounds caused by this rift will heal as swiftly. Eduardo Manalo and his “Sanggunian” have to be honest and transparent in addressing the complaints and allegations or the conflict will fester and erupt again in the future.