Eraño “Ka Erdy” de Guzman Manalo, head of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), passed away Monday due to cardiopulmonary arrest. He was 84 years old.

INC spokesperson Bienvenido Santiago made the official announcement of the Executive Minister’s death Tuesday.

“We are sad to announce to the Iglesia and to the whole nation that the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, our brother Eraño G. Manalo, has been laid to rest,” he said.

“He passed away at his home 3:53 p.m. on August 31, 2009. He was 84 years old,” said Santiago, citing the cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest.

The INC official requested the 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 lie in state at the INC Central Temple in Quezon City. The group has yet to announce the date of burial.

Manalo was officially the Executive Minister of the INC, but was also its supreme, charismatic leader.

Born on Jan. 17, 1925, Erano took over the church upon the death in 1963 of his father, INC founder Felix Manalo.

Leaders of other churches in the country expressed condolences with the family of Manalo and members of the INC.

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

Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) National Director Bishop Efraim Tendero also expressed his sympathy for the INC for losing its 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.”

Jesus is Lord (JIL) leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva was also deeply saddened by the passing of Ka Erdy whom he held in high esteem.

“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 only last July,” Villanueva said.

Senators and local officials also expressed sadness over Manalo’s death.

Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas immediately introduced a Senate resolution honoring Manalo, a pillar of faith for the Iglesia Ni Cristo, and extending the Senate’s condolences to the INC family as they grieve for the loss of their leader.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of the late Eraño ‘Ka Erdy’ Manalo and to the Iglesia ni Cristo for his untimely demise on Monday afternoon,” Roxas said in a press statement.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also paid tribute to the late INC head.

“Ka Erdy was a man of great vision and an inspiration not only to his brothers and sisters in the Iglesia Ni Cristo but also to the rest of the nation. His dedication to bring the ministry of the Iglesia Ni Cristo around the world made Filipinos proud. And that Filipino faith is being practiced and preached in over 90 countries through the INC,” he said.

Sen. Francis Escudero said the Iglesia ni Cristo would not be where it is today were it not for the tireless efforts of Ka Erdy to build upon what his father started in 1914.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will adopt security arrangements for the wake of Manalo, particularly the Quezon City Police District which has jurisdiction over the Iglesia Central Temple along Commonwealth Avenue.

PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa said the entire uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the national police are likewise extending their condolences for the death of Manalo.

“We are all one in unity in expressing our condolences to the whole Iglesia Ni Cristo,” Verzosa said. (With reports from Rolly Carandang, Mario Casayuran, Aaron Recuenco and Jeffrey Damicog)