Famous quotes from the irrepressible Cardinal Sin
Jun 22, 2005
Published on page A9 of the June 22, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ferdinand Marcos administration
"That’s because I am crucified between two thieves." -- Late 1970s, replying to Ferdinand Marcos' question on why there was a "sepulchral" 30-minute silence when Jaime Cardinal Sin joined Marcos and his wife Imelda in their limousine.
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"There was election in Jerusalem between Jesus and Barabbas. And Barabbas won," after Marcos had gloated during his inauguration that the "people still love me." -- 1981.
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"Our two good friends (Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile) have shown their idealism. I would be very happy if you would help them. I wish that bloodshed will be avoided. Pray to Our Lady that we will be able to solve our problems peacefully. I am sorry to disturb you at this late hour, but it is precisely at a time like this that we most need your support for our two good friends." -- Feb. 22, 1986, asking for the people's help through Radio Veritas, after Ramos and Enrile had asked for his assistance.
Corazon Aquino administration
"Separation of the Church and State is like a railroad track. It cannot be close to one another, neither can it be distant, because there will be derailment. We (Church) should cooperate with the government and the government should cooperate with us because we're serving the same people." -- February 1992, on the separation of Church and State, which he was often accused of ignoring.
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"She does not follow good advice." -- Feb. 12, 1992, referring to then President Corazon Aquino who endorsed Fidel Ramos for the upcoming presidential election.
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"We still have a long way to go before our electorate shall have reached maturity that is required for a properly functioning democracy." -- May 1992, saying that because of poverty, many voters are still swayed by bribes.
Fidel Ramos administration
"We believe the (government's family planning) program dehumanizes man . . . Let's leave the bedroom to the couples. I don't think the government should be there." -- November 1992, said in a homily shortly after President Ramos had endorsed artificial methods of family planning.
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"They impugn our very humanity. They mock our civil society ... Either the property system must be compelled to make the land available, or the system must be overturned." -- Dec. 5, 1992, lashing out at the Ramos administration for the “unjust demolition” of squatter shanties and for failing to house the poor.
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"If he does not listen, even God cannot force you to go to Heaven if you want to go to Hell." -- Dec. 4, 1994, when asked what would happen if Ramos did not follow Church advice.
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"We are brothers and sisters; not enemies. It is not the will of God that countrymen go to war against one another." -- May 11, 2000, upon calling for a 50-day prayer and fasting crusade as an appeal for peace in Mindanao.
Joseph Estrada administration
"May we all strike our breasts and bow our heads in shame because we have brought all this upon ourselves. We have no one to blame but ourselves for being complacent, easy-going and uncaring." -- October 2000, chiding the Filipino people in a homily for their apathy amid Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson's accusation that President Joseph Estrada had received jueteng payoffs.
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"We pray to the Lord to enlighten our President and to make him a real patriot and nationalist. May God show him the heroic value of relinquishing his post for the sake of our people." -- October 2000, calling for Estrada's resignation.
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"If Satan appears to me and gives me money, I will accept the money and spend it all for the poor. It is not the practice of the Church to ask donors where their donations come from. Our duty is to make sure all donations go to the poor. The devil remains . . . my enemy but I will use his resources to feed the poor." -- Oct. 25, 2000, defending the Catholic Church's acceptance of a total of P181 million in donations from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. since 1998.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration
"I consider everything as God's handiwork . . . I am just an instrument. I am just like the donkey the Lord rode on. I cannot boast of anything. Everything is grace!" -- August 2003, when asked by the Inquirer what his greatest handiwork as a bishop was.
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"I am retiring but I will not stop serving. You cannot stop me from loving and serving you . . . I will be here. I will stay here. Do not be afraid." -- November 2003, retirement speech.
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"Let us move the EDSA spirit from street rallies to the poor communities. Let us translate people power to common action for the poor." -- Feb. 25, 2004, in a homily celebrating the 18th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution.
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"If only for these jubilees, I am a bejeweled man. I am rich." -- April 2004, referring to his diamond year when he turned 75 and his golden year as a priest, in a piece titled "I am Rich."
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"It is the most important chapter of my life. I admit finding secret joy and pride in being called the Cardinal of the EDSA Revolution. I do not claim that as a right. It is a grace that I do not deserve at all. It is a blessing to have been the Archbishop of Manila at that moment in history." -- April 2004, on his role at the EDSA Revolution.
Famous quotes from the irrepressible Cardinal Sin