Jaime Cardinal Sin

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Jaime Cardinal Sin, also Jaime Lachica Sin (August 31, 1928–June 21, 2005) (Chinese name: 辛海梅; 辛海棉), was a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. He led the Archdiocese of Manila as its archbishop and was later elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Paul VI. He concurrently served as Primate of the Philippines. He retired as the Archbishop of Manila on September 15, 2003 and was succeeded by Gaudencio Borbon Rosales. He was only the third native Filipino (although his ethinicity was purely Chinese) Archbishop of Manila — following centuries of Spanish, American and Irish episcopacy. He died at the age of 76 on June 21, 2005.

Not to be confused with "cardinal sin," which is a synonym for the seven deadly sins.

Priesthood and episcopacy

Sin was born in New Washington, Aklan, Philippines to Juan Sin (of overseas Chinese ancestry) and Maxima Lachica. He was the seventh of sixteen children. He eventually left his boyhood home and his family to study in seminary. On April 3, 1954, he was ordained to the presbyterium and became a priest of the Archdiocese of Jaro. He was appointed its auxiliary bishop on February 10, 1967. Following his appointment, he was ordained as bishop of the titular see of Obba on March 18 of that year. On March 15, 1972, Sin was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Jaro, taking on administrative roles in the archdiocese. Concurrently, he was created archbishop of the titular see of Massa Lubrense. On October 8, 1972, Sin assumed the office of Archbishop of Jaro, taking full control of the archdiocese.

Sin's service as Archbishop of Jaro ended with his appointment on January 21, 1974 to the larger archdiocese seated in the nation's capital of Manila. Sin was officially installed as Archbishop of Manila at Manila Cathedral on March 19, 1974. On May 24 of 1976, Pope Paul VI summoned Sin to the Holy See to be elevated into membership of the College of Cardinals, created Cardinal Priest of the titular church of Santa Maria ai Monti. He remained the youngest member of the College until 1983.

People Power Movement

Events in the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos forced Sin, the spiritual leader of all Filipino Catholics, to become involved in the politics of the region. He became witness to corruption, fraud and even murder at the hands of the regime — events that pushed Filipinos on the brink of civil unrest and even war. Sin appealed to Filipinos of all religions to follow the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels and use peaceful means to change the political situation in the Philippines.

At the same time, President Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos, appealed to Sin to side with the regime. Sin respectfully pleaded with the president and first lady to refrain from unleashing the armed forces against Filipinos marching in the streets of Manila. President Marcos ordered his generals to deploy against the marchers, however, tanks and troops were stopped in the streets with people on their knees praying the Rosary and singing English language translations of sacred hymns. Some soldiers decided to join the marchers. Cardinal Sin was convinced it was a miracle granted by the faith of his followers in God and nonviolence.

What later became known as the People Power Movement or the EDSA Revolution, President Marcos, his family and close advisors were forced to flee the Philippines — taking up residence in Honolulu, Hawaii upon the invitation of President of the United States Ronald Reagan. Cardinal Sin, along with Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, became known to Filipinos as the architects of the People Power Movement.

Sin was called upon again in 2001 to become the spiritual leader of another People Power Movement. Filipinos alleged that President Joseph Estrada was guilty of widespread corruption and graft. Marches in the streets, with the support of Sin, succeeded in toppling President Estrada from power and elevating Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as his successor.

Sin was decorated three times by the Philippine government. The first was by President Corazon C. Aquino, who conferred him with the Philippine Legion of Honor, rank of Chief Commander; the second, by President Joseph Estrada, who conferred on him the Order of Sikatuna, rank of Rajah; the final time was shortly after his retirement, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred on him the Order of Lakandula, rank of Bayani (Grand Cross).

His name prompted many jokes – a cardinal sin is one of the seven deadly sins – and Sin himself made light of it. He often referred to his residence as "the house of Sin."[1]

Retirement and death

He retired as the Archbishop of Manila on September 15, 2003 and was succeeded by Gaudencio Borbon Rosales. He was too ill to travel to the conclave which elected Pope Benedict XVI.

The prelate — for years afflicted with a kidney ailment brought on by diabetes — was taken on June 19, 2005 to the Rufino Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila because of a slight but lingering fever. He died of renal failure on June 21, 2005 at 6:15 a.m. at the age of 76. His cause of death is the same as Pope John Paul II.

Preceded by: Rufino Cardinal Santos

Archbishop of Manila 1978–2003

Succeeded by: Gaudencio Borbon Rosales