Iglesia ni Cristo to Stage Huge Bible Exposition in Luneta Today

Watch out for riddles when Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) gathers its flock for a grand prayer rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila this afternoon.

Billed as a purely “religious activity,” the expected gathering is taking place on the 25th day of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, raising questions from a key figure of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz said he was invited to attend the rally - expected to officially start at 5 p.m. - but he declined because he did not want his actions to be misinterpreted, owing to what he said was the still unclear nature of the event.

“Many people might misinterpret my presence there since it is also not yet clear if the occasion will really be a Bible exposition or there is sociopolitical significance to it,” Cruz said in a phone interview.

INC said in a statement that Tuesday’s assembly was part of the group’s campaign for “the intensive propagation of God’s words, led by INC’s executive minister Eduardo Manalo.”

But an INC insider indicated the affair would be more than just a “Grand Evangelical Mission.” He said it was also meant to serve as a message to President Benigno Aquino and his allies that INC is “not happy” with how Aquino had been running the government.

Asked how the gathering would send its message to the President, the source said: “We speak in riddles. It’s up to those concerned to read between the lines.”

He asked not to be identified, saying he had no authority to speak to the media about Tuesday’s event.

- Source