Pope’s condolence for death of Filipino Cardinal José Sanchez

(March 09, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his sadness over the death of Filipino Cardinal José Sanchez, the former prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy, who passed away on Friday in the Philippines at the age of 91. In a condolence message sent to Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, retired archbishop of Cebu, Pope Benedict recalled with gratitude the Cardinal Sanchez’ dedicated service to the Lord as a priest and bishop in his native country, as well as their our service together in Roman Curia during the Pontificate of Blessed John Paul II. The Holy Father prayed that his witness may inspire others to dedicate their lives to the service of the Lord and his Holy Church, especially in the priesthood. Cardinal Sanchez was born in 1920 in Pandan and was ordained priest in 1946. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres in 1968 and in 1971 was made Coadjutor Bishop of Lucena, of which he became bishop in 1976. In 1982 he was appointed Archbishop of Nueva Segovia and three years later was appointed secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1991 and appointed him prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. He retired in 1996.