Filipino Cardinal Sanchez dead at 91
March 09, 2012
Cardinal Jose Sanchez, the former prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, died on March 9 in Manila, just short of his 92nd birthday.
Born in the Philippines and ordained to the priesthood in the Sorsogon diocese, the future cardinal was named auxiliary bishop of Caceres in 1968. He became coadjutor Bishop of Lucena in 1971, becoming head of that diocese in 1976, and then Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in 1982.
In 1985 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as secretary of the Congregation for Evangelization. In 1991 he was elevated to the College of Cardinals and appointed prefect of the Congregation for Clergy. He retired from that post in 1996 at the age of 76.
Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute to the deceased cardinal, noting his “dedicated service to the Lord as a priest and bishop in his native country, as well as our service together in the Roman Curia during the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II.”
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