Paradigm shift needed for INC

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is wounded not by the hand of its enemies outside but by the hand of its friends inside. In recent weeks, the public was surprised to see on YouTube the desperate plea for help coming from the mother and brother of the incumbent head of INC, Ka Eduardo Manalo. Both claimed that their lives were in danger. This was followed by the news that a few ministers of INC had been kidnapped. INC has so far denied the accusation of intimidation and corruption by ranking leaders of INC.

The wound that INC has sustained does not threaten the life of this powerfully connected religious institution. But the fact is, it is wounded and it is bleeding. This bleeding can’t be stopped by band-aid solution like denials, obfuscation, silence and threats of excommunication but by a paradigm shift in the overall perspective and orientation of INC.

This paradigm shift should include a radical change in its policies and attitudes toward its members—not as herds to be threatened and manipulated but as trusted companions in the search for salvation. Likewise, financial transparency should be a critical component of this paradigm shift.

In the spirit of ecumenism, INC should abandon its rampart mentality and adopt a more welcoming and tolerant perspective toward other religions by actively participating in interfaith dialogues. The Iglesia is not the sole depository of God’s words. It would enhance the respect of people if INC ended its preoccupation with useless and unproductive debates, criticism and innuendos against other religions and focused more on the search for genuine message of God in these troubled times.

Finally, the testimony of another minister accusing INC of pandering to and demanding money from politicians in exchange for votes diminishes the image of INC as an institution that is untouched by corruption. Thousands of INC’s followers are poor people struggling to make do with the little they have in order to survive. What happens to these poor followers if the very people tasked to lead them to the daang matuwid are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing themselves?

Let it never be said by any INC ministers to its followers: “Sundin ang aral, ipikit ang mga mata sa asal (Follow the lessons, ignore the actions)!”

—CARLOS ISLES [email protected]