|
|
Church remembers Cardinal Sin
|
Manila, June 22, 2007—The late Archbishop of Manila, Jaime L. Cardinal Sin was remembered during a memorial Mass on his second death anniversary.
|
Described as the country’s conscience and moral touchtone Cardinal Sin was remembered with fondness by the Catholic community he served. During the Mass at the Manila Cathedral, Balanga (Bataan) Bishop Socrates Villegas, a protégé of Cardinal Sin, recalled his mentor’s final days of suffering. “I miss the strong guiding hands of our prophet to lead us from darkness to light,” he said as he recalled Sin’s contribution to bring down then strongman Ferdinand Marcos and restore democracy after years of Martial rule.
He added “those hands shielded us from harm, drove away our anxieties and pointed us the way to the ‘promised land’ beyond EDSA 1986.”
The historical Manila Cathedral was filled with the Catholic faithful last June 21 who they prayed for the repose of soul of their beloved “priest, prophet and shepherd”.
A somber mood prevailed during the Mass. It will be recalled a year ago that people fell to their knees and prayed upon learning of Cardinal Sin’s death.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Bishops Guillermo Afable and Rolando Tirona were Bishop Villegas’ concelebrants.
Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino was also in attendance.
Former President Aquino lauded Sin for helping restore freedom and democracy in the Philippines. “If we didn’t have Cardinal Sin, we wouldn’t have had People Power,” she said. "I wish there would be another Cardinal Sin ... but I pray that the Lord send not just one but many people like him,” she added.
Current Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Leonida Vera and former Ambassador Francisco Alba, together with the late Cardinal’s brother, Dr. Ramon L. Sin, were also in attendance. Sin died on June 21, 2005 due to a long ailment. He retired as archbishop of Manila in September 2003, a month after his 75th birthday.
He was archbishop of Manila for 29 years and throughout a turbulent period in the nation's history. He's also hailed as “a hero” of EDSA I and II, the People Power peaceful uprisings that brought to an end the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada’s presidency in 2001. (CBCP News-Roy Lagarde)
|
|
|
| JOIN MAILING LIST |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| Letters to the Editor |
|
|
|
|
| Letters by Sr. Pilar |
|
|
|
|
| Love Life TV |
|
|
|
| MAGAZINE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| HOT TOPICS |
|
|
|
|
|
| ANTI LIFE ISSUES |
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
