Jaime Cardinal Sin Gomburza of our times

Contrary to popular belief, the revolution against Spain was not against the church. On the contrary, it was three priests that inspired Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio to start their activities against the Spanish administration. We are, of course, referring to Fathers Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora. Rizal acknowledged this when he wrote this dedication in his El Filibusterismo:

"The Church, by refusing to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime that has been imputed to you; the Government, by surrounding your trials with mystery and shadows, causes the belief that there was some error, committed in the fatal moments; and all the Philippines, by worshipping your memory and calling you martyrs, in no sense recognizes your culpability. In so far, therefore, as your complicity in the Cavite mutiny is not clearly proved, as you may not have been patriots, and as you may or may not have cherished sentiments for justice and for liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil which I undertake to combat… Let these pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves over your unknown tombs, and let it be understood that every one who without clear proofs attacks your memory stains his hands with your blood!"

And, of course, when Bonifacio organized the Katipunan, the secret code word was Gomburza. Last Tuesday, Cardinal Sin died and we are proud to say that he was a worthy heir of the church contribution to freedom that was started by Gomburza. Cardinal Sin played a key role in the ouster of two heads of state — dictator Ferdinand Marcos and President Joseph Estrada. We can never forget how he reacted when AFP Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile disassociated themselves from the Marcos government. That was in February 1986. Cardinal Sin lose no time in asking the faithful to support the move against Marcos. That was the first People Power Revolution and we know of no precedent in world history when a dictatorship was toppled without a single loss of life or damage to property.

It was also Cardinal Sin that led the street protests against the corrupt Joseph Estrada administration. How many cardinals can make the claim that they peacefully toppled two administrations?

He had a sense of humor. When asked why there was a "sepulchral 30-minute silence" when he rode with Marcos and Imelda in their limousine, he answered, "Because I was crucified between two thieves." I had the occasion to once attend a meeting at the Archbishop’s Palace, he greeted me by saying, "Welcome to the House of Sin." I took him literally so I immediately felt at home.

Indeed, Cardinal Sin was the Gomburza of our times. He should be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The good thing about his dying is that now, we have one sin less.