Key facts about Jaime Cardinal Sin
Jun 25, 2005
Following are some key facts about Jaime Cardinal Sin, the driving force behind two Philippine "people power" revolts who died yesterday morning.
(Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 22, 2005) Jaime Lachica Sin was born on Aug. 31, 1928 in New Washington town, Aklan province, on Panay Island. Jim or Amie as was fondly called was the 14th of 16 children.
Sin's father Sin Puat Co (Juan), from Xiamen, settled in the Philippines and became a prosperous businessman. His mother Maxima Lachica was from landed gentry in Kalibo town, Aklan. His father was Buddhist who converted to Catholicism upon his marriage to Maxima but became as devout a Catholic as his wife.
Ordained in 1954, he became the youngest member of the Vatican's College of Cardinals when he was made a prince of the Church at the age of 47.
Became archbishop of Manila in March 1974
Elected president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in January 1977. He was reelected to the post in July 1979.
Sounded the clarion call on Feb. 22, 1986 for people to come to EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) to defend the military faction led by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos, which had broken away from Ferdinand Marcos.
Spearheaded with Corazon “Cory” Aquino on Sept. 21, 1997 a huge rally at the Rizal Park in Manila that opposed the lifting of the constitutionally imposed term limits of elected officials led by then President Fidel Ramos.
Teamed up once again with Cory Aquino on Aug. 20, 1999 to lead a massive rally on Ayala Avenue in Makati against moves by then President Joseph Estrada to amend the Constitution.
Rallied thousands to EDSA on Jan. 16, 2001 to force Estrada, who was accused of massive corruption, out of office.
Apart from orchestrating the people power uprisings, Sin was a staunch opponent of artificial birth control. In August 1994, he mobilized hundreds of thousands of people in a rally denouncing a state policy encouraging use of condoms and pills to curb rapid population growth.
Among his published works are "The Revolution of Love" (1972), "The Church Above Political Systems" (1973), "A Song of Salvation" (1974), "Unity in Diversity" (1974), "The Future of Catholicism in Asia" (1978), "Christian Basis of Human Rights" (1978), "Separation, Not Isolation" (1978) and "Slaughter of Innocents" (1979).
His health had suffered in recent years because of impaired kidneys which required him to undergo dialysis.
Rumors of his imminent death had swept the country several times.
Key facts about Jaime Cardinal Sin