Sin: Retired but not resigned

Former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who helped topple two presidents, said yesterday that he will continue his activist role in retirement.

"I am retiring, but I am not keeping quiet. You cannot stop me from speaking," said Sin, a longtime influential force in the predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines. "I will continue to be a prophet for you in my retirement."

Sin spoke at ceremonies honoring him at the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, landmark to the 1986 people power revolt that ousted late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Hundreds of thousands rallied at the same site in January 2001 to force then President Joseph Estrada out of office amid corruption charges against him.

The ailing, 75-year-old Sin, who has been Manila’s Archbishop since the 1970s, read a speech while seated between former President Corazon Aquino and her successor, Fidel Ramos.

Aquino was swept into power by the 1986 uprising triggered by a military mutiny partly led by Ramos. She thanked Sin for backing her as she quelled seven coup attempts through her six-year term.

"How truly blessed the Filipinos are that God sent us His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal Sin, to help us and to guide us through all our difficult times," Aquino said.

Ramos, a Protestant, added, "I hope, in a democracy guided by divine providence, that (Sin will) continue to be the conscience of the nation even after his retirement."

Former Senate president Jovito Salonga also attended the ceremonies and he said that as "a practicing Protestant in a predominantly Catholic country, I consider it a great honor and distinct privilege to be invited here. I bear witness to the enormous influence of Cardinal Sin, who, over the years, wielded his ecclesiastical and moral authority for the good of the entire nation."

"I do not deserve this tribute," Sin said in response, thanking the three statesmen for their tribute. "Nevertheless, I accept your love and gratitude for the glory of god."

"The Holy Father has accepted my retirement as your Archbishop," Sin said. "I will continue to live at Villa San Miguel, only a few kilometers away from here. You can count on me."

He also said he will "visit you more often because I have more time. I have less office work. In accepting my retirement, the Holy See has given me more time, lots of free time, to spend talking with God and chatting leisurely with you. I will be here. I will stay here. Do not be afraid. I love you all very dearly, cross my heart!"

Although revered by many Filipinos, Sin has come under criticism.

Estrada supporters, mostly from the poor, have denounced Sin and other members of the Philippine "elite" for ousting the former president.

After tens of thousands of Estrada’s supporters tried to storm Malacañang Palace on May 1, 2001, the cardinal issued an unprecedented apology to the poor.

He acknowledged that the church had neglected them, making them easy prey for selfish, powerful people. He offered reconciliation and assurances that the church is not "anti-Estrada, but pro-morality." — With AP