MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo extended her condolences and prayers to the family and members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) following the death of executive minister Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President and her family joins the Filipino nation in mourning Manalo’s death, claiming that both the country and the world lost another great leader with his passing.

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Manalo has touched a lot of people with his life and teachings.

“Ka Erdy’s mortality was planned perfectly if only to underscore his lasting legacy -- an institution of religion and faith that is stronger than ever today and an advocate of spiritual formation and nation-building for which he will always be fondly remembered,” Ermita said.

"We are sad to announce to the Iglesia and to the whole nation that the executive minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, our brother Erano G. Manalo joined our creator," Beinvenido Santiago, INC spokesman, said in announcing the death of the 84-year-old church leader Tuesday.

He urged all INC members to be strong following Manalo’s death on Monday due to cardio pulmonary arrest.

Santiago said Manalo died at his home at 3:53 p.m. Monday, August 31.

The group has yet to announce the date of Manalo’s burial.

Manalo took over INC, or Church of Christ, after the death of his father and the church's founder, Felix Manalo, in 1963. The church is believed to have millions of members but does not disclose the figure.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said the President would like to attend the wake of Manalo “if the time would permit” as she is still in Libya and is expected to return to the country on September 3.

Despite Manalo’s death, Golez said he expects the INC’s political influence to continue, adding that the group is in existence in every corners of the country.

Terrible loss and grief

With the death of their leader, Santiago called on all INC ministers, evangelical workers, church officers, and their members to pray to God for his continued guidance for the whole church and “to give us strength to enable us to bear this terrible loss and grief.”

Manalo’s remains now lie in state at the INC Central Temple in Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Seen at the wake of Manalo on Tuesday afternoon were El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Senator Manny Villar, former Environment Secretary Mike Defensor, and former Interior Secretary Joey Lina.

Supporters of Manalo also trooped to the INC headquarters to pay their last respects to the religious leader.

Manalo was officially the executive minister of the INC, but was also its supreme charismatic leader.

Born on January 17, 1925, Erano took over the church upon the death of his father in 1963.

Religious groups

“I would like to express my prayerful condolences to his bereaved family and the INC community. May he rest in peace,” said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) national director Bishop Efraim Tendero also mourned with the INC group for losing a gifted leader.

“They lost a beloved and gifted leader,” he said. “His death challenges us to yield to the sovereignty of God who alone can give life and he alone can take it away.”

Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Ka Erdy.

“At 84, the distinguished leader has lived a full life, the most noteworthy of which was his steadfast shepherding of the INC members. It was under his leadership that the INC reached its 95th anniversary, celebrated last July,” Villanueva said.

“His quiet but commanding presence in many social and national affairs will be particularly missed,” he added.

Mel Robles, El Shaddai spokesman, said both Bro. Mike Velarde and Manalo became friends and close allies especially during the time when former President Joseph Estrada was facing ouster in 2001 due to charges of plunder and corruption.

“They've built good relationship and also issued several joint statements on many issues,” Robles said in a telephone interview.

Velare said: “I am saddened by the demise of Ka Erdy. I will miss his wise counsel, particularly on national issues. In almost eight years of personal contact with this great and respected leader of the nation and the INC, I have learned lessons in leadership which I will continue.”

House members

Lawmakers also expressed their grief.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles considered Manalo a “true leader,” a “man of God,” and a “true Filipino.”

“The collective leadership and full membership of the House of Representatives salute a true leader. We extend our sympathies to our brothers in Christ as Ka Ernie journeys beyond the life of mortals. His memories, his legacies, will forever be enshrined in the hearts of Filipinos and the conscience of the world. He lived a meaningful life. He made the difference and touched the lives of others for God’s sake,” Nograles said.

Representative Monico Puentevella (Bacolod City) said the country weeps for the INC founder and “brother” Eraño.

“His spirit lives on...long live INC,” Puentevella said.

Negros Representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo was saddened with the passing of Manalo.

The President's brother-in-law pointed out that the INC is one of the “most respected” religious denominations in the third-world country that has spread to Protestant West and Catholic Europe, largely to Ka Erdy's great leadership.”

“His legacy as their (the INC's) leader will always be an inspiration and guiding light,” Arroyo said.

For Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, and Neri Colmenares, Ka Erdy as the INC's longest-serving executive minister, “was an inspiration to millions of Filipinos and instrumental in expanding this distinct church institution in the Philippines.”

Representative Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (Ilocos Norte, second district) said the death of Manalo was a big loss as he was a big part of the people's lives in spreading the word of God. “Our family continues to pray that the Word of God which Manalo taught will continue to spread.” (MSN/JMR/Justine Paredes/AP/Sunnex)