Sin remembered as a man of many paradoxes

MANILA, Philippines – He was willing to talk to the devil if it would bring peace to the land, recalled Balanga, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Villegas, a protégé of Sin, said in his homily marking Sin’s third death anniversary that the late Cardinal was a man of many paradoxes, and at times it was difficult to understand him.

“He (Sin) was unbending, rigid but all embracing. He said he would talk to the devil if it would bring peace,” said Villegas.

The late Cardinal was also a man of many contradictions because he followed the teachings of Jesus Christ and was therefore concerned with the many inconsistencies in life that are created by human sin.

“The paradoxes created by God are salvation, but the paradoxes created by human sin needs salvation. The paradox brought by human sin – making the poor suffer and making the good suffer – should not be faced with faith but with courage. May the memory of Cardinal Sin give us courage to correct the wrong paradoxes around us, so the paradox of Jesus reigns supreme,” he said.

In his impromptu homily, Villegas said Sin would sometimes ask why evil is succeeding while good men and women are ridiculed; why are the dishonest popular and the honest threatened; why do economists say that we are making progress and yet we are hungry; and why is it that the good suffer and the evil seem to be blessed and enjoying life. 

The 7:30 a.m. mass at the Manila Cathedral yesterday was celebrated by Sin’s successor, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, and concelebrated by almost 40 priests and four bishops namely Villegas, Lipa Batangas Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Pasig Bishop Francisco San Diego, and Bangued, Abra Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian.

Cardinal Rosales said that it was only proper that Sin be remembered.

“We are praying for his soul. We pray that he is at peace and happy in the company of our Lord.”

Villegas also said that the faithful should also remember Sin not only as a loyal and faithful official of the church but also as a politician.

It was during the reign of Sin when the question of “separation of Church and State” was raised.

Sin played a pivotal role in the country’s history and was a key player in two bloodless EDSA revolutions. In 1986, he was instrumental in ousting the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, which resulted in the return of democracy.

In 2001, he helped remove former President Joseph Estrada from Malacañang. Estrada was replaced by President Arroyo.

Former President Corazon Aquino, who is suffering from colon cancer, attended the morning mass.

“I am here today because I cherish all the good that Cardinal Sin has done for our country and for me in particular, so I hope we will never forget him,” she said.

Sin was officially installed as Archbishop of Manila at the Manila Cathedral on March 19, 1974.

On May 24, 1976, Pope Paul VI summoned Sin to the Holy See to join the College of Cardinals. He was the youngest member of the College until 1983.