MANILA - After days of silence, the Iglesia Ni Cristo hierarchy on Tuesday finally faced the media amid accusations of corruption hurled by its former members.

However, instead of responding to questions about the crisis that has hit the organization, the church's leaders subjected newsmen to a 30-minute Bible study, and declined to answer questions.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo invited members of the media to attend its Bible exposition on Tuesday.

The Bible study was held at the INC's central temple along Commonwealth Avenue, which is normally off-limits to non-members.

The Bible exposition is a regular event organized by Iglesia Ni Cristo to encourage non-INC members to join the religious organization.

Hundred others of non-INC members, or those from other religious groups, attended the gathering.

According to Virafel Saberon of the INC Media Group, they invited media members not only to encourage them to join INC but to help media outfits understand the principles of the religious sect.

In the sermon, however, INC ministers led by Maximo Bularan Sr. concentrated only in answering two things: why some members of the Roman Catholic Church left their religion, and why they chose to transfer to INC.

The ministers cited various verses in the Bible to justify their answers. According to the ministers, the purpose of the Bible exposition was to encourage non-INC members to join them.

The Bible exposition lasted for about 45 minutes.

There was no question and answer held with the audience, including journalists. - report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News