INC hits Arroyo presence at rally

The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) expressed its disappointment yesterday that Sunday’s Prayer for World Peace rally at the Luneta’s Quirino Grandstand was "politicized."

In a statement, the INC said it joined the prayer rally at the invitation of El Shaddai’s Mike Velarde.

"The INC agreed to participate in what was supposed to be a non-partisan event. But, as it turned out, politicians and government officials, headed by no less than President (Arroyo) herself, came uninvited to the prayer rally. The President even delivered her own political speech written in the guise of a prayer expressing support for the US military action on Iraq," the INC statement said.

"What was supposed to be an occasion for prayer turned out to be a political circus," Brother Eraño Manalo, INC executive minister, said.

Manalo said "the unwelcome participation of politicians and their uncalled-for speeches made a parody of prayer" and while delegates to the rally prayed for peace and eschewed war as the only option to resolve the US-Iraq conflict, Mrs. Arroyo’s prayer focused on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his country’s alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction.

Manalo also said the President’s prayer justified a preventive strike on Iraq by the US military in case Saddam fails to cooperate fully with UN arms inspectors.

Manalo added that contrary to earlier news reports, INC members did not attend the event, with the exception of Bro. Isaias Samson Jr. and the INC Tabernacle Choir. Samson had been sent there to read the INC prayer for peace and the choir rendered a hymn.

The INC executive minister said no other INC members were present at the event because of apprehension that the rally would be used for partisan purposes.

"We do not regret having very little participation in the peace rally, in view of what it turned out to be," Manalo said. He added that the INC is seriously considering the possibility of withdrawing its participation in the Bangon Pilipino Movement, as the BPM could be used by politicians and businessmen for their own vested interests.