Last Friday, I had the privilege of interviewing one of the highest-ranking yet 
probably one of the least known Filipino bishops of the 20th and 21st centuries, His Eminence Jose Cardinal Sanchez. Let me qualify why I said he may be one of the least known Filipino bishops: he hasn't lived and worked in the Philippines for 22 years! To people my age, that's practically a lifetime. So let me take this opportunity to introduce His Eminence to you.
Cardinal Who?
As I wrote in my script for Bandila last Friday, "Hindi matunog sa maraming Pinoy ang pangalang Jose Cardinal Sanchez.("To many Filipinos, the name Jose Cardinal Sanchez doesn't ring a bell.") Before even writing this sentence as my story's hook, I put the statement to the test. I asked around the newsroom who they thought Cardinal Sanchez was. One supervisor answered, "Hindi ba siya yung bagong Archbishop of Manila? (Isn't he the new Archbishop of Manila?)" Another co-worker retorted, "Aba ewan! (I don't know!)" A third officemate said, "Siya yung taga-Vatican, di ba? (He's the one from the Vatican, right?)" Well, the last answer is partly true. He worked at the Vatican and has been a resident of Rome for the last 22 years. But he is certainly not from the Vatican. Jose Cardinal Sanchez is from the Philippines. To be more specific, he is Bicolano.
The Making of a Cardinal
Much of what is known about Cardinal Sanchez is written in a handful of Catholic websites. This is what we know thus far: He was born in Catanduanes, became a priest in 1946, a bishop in 1968 and the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia (geographically Vigan, Ilocos Sur) from 1982-1986. In 1985, he was called to the Vatican by Pope John Paul II to become Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, enabling him to travel and spread the Gospel to people in Africa, Europe, etc. (Note: A Vatican "Congregation" is similar to a Cabinet Department in a presidential form of government. Being a secretary thereof is like being an Undersecretary of the Department.) In 1991, he was made a Cardinal (see a related post on the importance of being a Cardinal or go to this website: http://www.catholic-pages.com/hierarchy/cardinals.asp) and was made Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican department in charge of all priestly concerns. (Note: Prefect is similar to a Cabinet Secretary.)
The Inside Story
One of the first questions I asked His Eminence during the interview was, "What is the
story behind your appointment to the Vatican?" His Eminence let out a chuckle and told me that his appointment would not have materialized had he decided not to go to the Vatican in 1985, as he originally intended to. Church law dictates that a bishop visit the Vatican every 5 years and call on the Pope to present a report on the affairs and progress in that bishop's diocese. His Eminence had initially decided not to fly to the Vatican and thought of using the money he would have used as airfare to finance some worthy pastoral project. He also thought of sending his report to the Pope via the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican ambassador to Manila). But upon learning that he was the only Filipino bishop who had not yet visited the Pope, he hurriedly packed his suitcase and left for Rome. During his meeting with the Pope, then Archbishop Jose Sanchez was asked if he could stay in Rome and immediately assume the secretariat of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He was a bit reluctant but priests and bishops are duty-bound to obey the Pope so he could not refuse. At the Colegio Filippino where Filipino bishops stayed while in Rome, Archbishop Sanchez kept mum about his appointment. But a few days into their Roman sojourn, his fellow bishops noticed that he paid unusually frequent visits to the Apostolic Palace on his own. Despite being questioned by his colleagues about it, Archbishop Sanchez was keen on withholding the information until after they have returned to the Philippines. But during one meeting with Vatican officials, the Cardinal-Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples decided to announce Archbishop Sanchez's appointment as secretary. Three months after his appointment, Archbishop Jose Sanchez finally packed his bags and left Ilocos Sur to officially become a member of the Roman Curia (the government of the Universal Church).
Six years of experience as secretary of a major curial department made Archbishop Sanchez ready to become a Prefect. Thus, in 1991, after Cardinal Innocenti, then Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, reached retirement age, Sanchez was appointed by John Paul II to that post. And, as was traditional to bishops holding that curial rank, Archbishop Sanchez was elevated into the College of Cardinals in June 1991, becoming the 5th Filipino to be given that distinction.
His Eminence says he is clueless why John Paul II chose to call him to work at the Vatican. The only thing that came to mind with regard to being "noticed by the Pope," was his work as a speech writer and translator for John Paul II, during His Holiness' 1981 visit to the Philippines. But in humility, His Eminence attributed his appointment to the Vatican as being part of God's will for him and quoted this scriptural passage many times during the interview to refer to God's will as to how one becomes a priest, "You did not choose me, I chose you."
The Only Filipino at the Curia
To this day, Jose Cardinal Sanchez remains to be the only Filipino Cardinal to have held a secretarial and a prefectorial position at the Roman Curia. His Eminence says he hopes the present pope will bring more Filipinos to work at the Vatican because Filipinos have a lot of experience to offer in terms of pastoral and administrative work in the Church. In fact, His Eminence is happy to report that Filipinos residing in Italy are leading their Asian counterparts in evangelizing children and their non-Catholics peers.
The Popes and the Philippines
As Cardinal-Prefect, His Eminence had the chance to work closely with the Pope. Having an audience with His Holiness was not very difficult, especially since His Eminence brought forth reports concerning the priests of the world before the Pope. During his many conversations with the Pope, Cardinal Sanchez got a clear sense of His Holiness' affection for the Philippines. To John Paul II, the Philippines had an important role to play in evangelizing Asia. John Paul's successor, Benedict XVI, also holds this opinion, Cardinal Sanchez says.
The Cordial Cardinal
Over a snack consisting of C2 iced tea and chocolate whammos, I went on to ask His Eminence about a myriad of things, ranging from suicide, the Orthodox Church, ecumenism, the College of Cardinals, to what he eats for lunch in Rome. His Eminence was very cordial and very casual, unlike many Catholic bishops and prelates I have encountered so far. To think this man, by civil protocol, is ranked among princes of reigning royal houses during ceremonial functions.
At 87, His Eminence is still in very good shape. As a matter of fact, he is very eager to do pastoral work again. Though he is living comfortably in Rome with other retired cardinals, His Eminence says he can still contribute a lot for his country. If plans push through, he will be coming back to the Philippines permanently by the end of the year and will be lending a hand to one of the bishops here in Metro Manila (the exact diocese of which I will keep secret, as His Eminence's handlers requested.)
So until that time comes, I wish His Eminence the best of health and thank him for representing us well in the Universal Church.
God speed Your Eminence!
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