Pope confers highest papal award on ex-chief justice Panganiban

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis has conferred the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award, the highest distinction of the Vatican given to a lay person, on former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.

Currently the president of the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica Foundation, Panganiban “was cited for leading the strengthening, retrofitting, restoration and renovation” of the Manila Cathedral, according to a statement from the church.

He was also cited for leading various lay organizations in various capacities from 1991 to 2021.

From 1996 to 2001, Panganiban was appointed by Pope Saint John Paul II as member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Laity.

He also served as national vice chairman and chief legal counsel of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting from 1993 to 1995, secretary of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines from 1991 to 1993, servant leader of Bukas Loob sa Diyos from 1994 to 1995 and member of the board of trustees of the Aid to the Church in Need Philippines from 2019 to 2021.

He also took part in the second Plenary Council of the Philippines as a delegate for the laity in 1991.

Upon learning about the award, Panganiban was quoted by the cathedral as saying, “I do not know what miracles the angels brought to unworthy and underserving me to qualify for such an award. I am just an ordinary worker in the Vineyard of the Lord.”