CBCP to Catholics: Don't fan flames against INC
MANILA, Philippines — The head of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines advised Filipino Catholics to refrain from making inflammatory statements and spreading rumors on the Iglesia ni Cristo crisis.
In a statement, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said the faithful should be "charitable at all times" as the INC, a Christian sect, staged protests to decry what they consider as "unfair" government handling of cases against its leaders.
"No Catholic should fan the flames of dissension by rumor-mongering and by inflammatory statements," Villegas said. "Let all be kind in disposition, respectful in speech and prudent in action."
He also urged Catholics to resort to ceaseless prayer for a just resolution of the INC issue.
Caloocan Bishop Emeritus Deogracias Iñiguez said, meanwhile, that while the INC cries for separation of church and state, there are exemptions under the doctrine.
"We should consider that because they are also citizens, whatever takes place in their organization as a community, has an effect on others. The State, on that effect, has the right to interfere," Iñiguez said.
Villegas also requested Catholic lawyers, jurists and law professors to contribute to the ongoing discourse in a constructive manner and without condemnation.
"We seek to be enlightened on what the fundamental law of the land provides, the boundaries of the freedom of religion and the rights and the prerogatives of state," he said.
Iñiguez advised INC leaders to examine the roots of disunity it their church.
"This event, which seems to indicate that they are disunited, is something for them to look into and examine. For the sake of their religion, they should work towards unity and not disunity," the prelate added.
Holy Mass disrupted
Last night, a Catholic Mass at the EDSA Shrine was disrupted when a small group of INC members gathered outside the church where the mass was being broadcast.
The protesters were initially quiet, but started chanting, “INC, INC!” as rain started pouring at around 7 p.m., according to a Philippine STAR report.
Most of the protesters had gathered at the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard intersection, where they were allowed to hold a program. But they started marching toward the EDSA Shrine at 5 p.m.
Earlier that day, Villegas appealed to INC members to show respect to the EDSA Shrine as Filipino Catholics expressed fear online that the Marian shrine would be subject to desecration in the event the rally goes out of control.
"Respect holy sites. The EDSA shrine is a Catholic center of worship. It is a church. There is a Catholic priest assigned to it. We ask that all respect the sacred character of the EDSA shrine," he said.
On Monday morning, the INC leadership announced the end of the five-day mass action, saying the church has met with government.
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