Church leaders condole death of Cardinal Sin

New Delhi – Condoling the death of Cardinal Jaime Sin, retired archbishop of Manila, Philippines, several Indian church leaders have said that the late cardinal gave an Asian identity and face to the Church in Asia.

Cardinal Sin, who died on June 21, was "instrumental" in establishing a forum for Asian bishops through his "support and position as cardinal of Manila," according to retired Archbishop Henry D'Souza of Calcutta, who served nine years as secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) until 1991.

"It was during Cardinal Sin's time that Asian bishops obtained an identity as Asians. Before this they were only bishops of different countries," he said.

Recalling how the concept of the FABC emerged after the Second Vatican Council and crystallized in 1970, when Asian bishops gathered in Manila for Pope Paul VI's visit, the prelate said that Cardinal Sin played an “instrumental role” in the development of the FABC and in formulating policies of the federation and its various bishops' institutes.

"From the first plenary meeting of the FABC, in Taiwan in 1974, at which Cardinal Sin was present, until his death, he was helpful in the growth of FABC," Archbishop D'Souza said.

Archbishop D’Souza also credited Cardinal Sin with bringing Asian reflections and perspectives to several bishops' synods in Rome, particularly the synods on justice and on evangelization.

Another Indian prelate who described the Philippine cardinal as an Asian Church leader is retired Archbishop Alphonse Mathias of Bangalore, former president of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and former chairperson of the FABC Office of Social Communications.

"He was a man who spent most of his energy and time for the Church in the Philippines and largely for Asia. He showed great leadership skills both in the Philippine Church and the Asian Church," Archbishop Mathias said.

According to the prelate, the cardinal's greatest contribution to the Church in Asia was to make Radio Veritas the voice of Asia. “Cardinal Sin promoted the social communications office and helped the FABC manage Radio Veritas, which is based outside Manila,” he said.

The cardinal "showed great interest in the power of media," the archbishop continued. "He used radio to bring the Church's message to the Church in China and bring about great social changes there. This helped Christian faith grow there."

Archbishop Mathias added that though Cardinal Sin had no direct influence on the Indian Church, the Indian bishops viewed the Philippine Church leader as an example of how to present the Church in politics.

"In India, the Church is still backward when it comes to direct involvement in politics. The way Cardinal Sin led the people's revolution in the Philippines impressed the Indian bishops. Cardinal Sin showed them that they have a role to play in influencing policies in the country," he said.

Echoing the same opinion, Cardinal Simon I. Pimenta, retired archbishop of Bombay, said that Cardinal Sin "put Christ in politics."

“This helped the Philippines’ transition to democracy, a success that has been both trendsetter and revolutionary," he said.

Describing the late cardinal as "one of most dynamic leaders the Church has seen," the Indian prelate said his relationship with Cardinal Sin was one of "junior and senior" which allowed them to “discuss many things during the synods."

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, president, CBCI and the archbishop of Ranchi hailed the late Philippine prelate as “one of the most leading and influential cardinals.”

“He was a real father and pastor," he said.