MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, once hailed as “the divine commander-in-chief” by former President Fidel Ramos, has passed away at the age of 76. Over the past several decades Cardinal Sin repeatedly stepped into the international spotlight as a consequence of his central role in planning the massive peaceful protests which led to the downfall of two corrupt regimes, one in 1986 and another in 2001.
Pro-lifers, however, have their own especial reasons to mourn his loss, recognizing Cardinal Sin’s unrelenting and faithful promotion of the sanctity of life from birth to natural death.
President Arroyo of the Philippines spoke movingly about the deceased cardinal, calling him “a blessed man who never failed to unite Filipinos during the most crucial battles against tyranny and evil.”
Although the most visible of these battles were the political battles in which Sin pioneered the legendary “People Power” movement, uniting millions and peacefully introducing democracy to the Philippines, many remember him for his firm stand in the cultural and spiritual battles.
“Cardinal Jaime Sin has left a big void in our national life, specifically in the pro-life and pro-family movement,” said Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.
He continued, “In a world overwhelmed by secular concerns and materialistic lifestyles, the voice of the cardinal remained firm, loud, and unerring: we all must uphold the sanctity of life, above all, and preserve the family as the vanguard of society. Whatever material progress we strive to attain, we can only do so with the purest intention of applying such progress to bettering the quality of life of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable ones.”
In August of 1994 Sin organized a rally of hundreds of thousands of people which denounced a state policy encouraging the use of condoms and pills.
“As I enter a new chapter in my twilight years, I can say with gratitude that I have given my very best to God and country,” Sin was reported saying shortly after he submitted his resignation to Pope John Paul II in 2003. He was also famous for his sense of humor, often referring to his residence as “the house of Sin.”
The president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines lamented his loss: “We are saddened that he left us. But we rejoice that he has entered into real life — one that never ends.”
(This update courtesy of LifeSiteNews.com.)
