Number 0008
Series of 2012
TO: ALL PRIESTS AND FAITHFUL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CACERES RE: DEATH OF JOSE TOMAS CARDINAL SANCHEZ
“Now, Lord, you have kept Your promise, And you may let yourServant go in peace.”( Luke 2:29)
With sadness we inform you of the passing away of + Jose T. Cardinal Sanchez –Cardinal Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy- this morning, March 9, 2012. He was 91 years old.
His remains lie in state at the Convent of the Dominican Sisters in Mary Immaculate School along Commonwealth, Quezon City and will be transferred tomorrow ( March 10) to the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd in Novaliches, Quezon City. Funeral mass will be on_Monday, March 12, 2012. The exact time of the funeral mass will just be announced later.
+ Cardinal Sanchez was born on March 17, 1920 in Pandan, Catanduanes. He attended the seminary of the Holy Rosary in Naga City. He obtained a doctorate in Theology at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila.
He was ordained priest on May 12, 1946 as a priest from Sorsogon. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Caceres on May 12, 1968. He was given the title Titual Bishop of Lesvi.
On December 13, 1971 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Lucena, Philippines with the right to succeed as Bishop of Lucena upon vacancy. On September 25, 1976 he succeeded as Bishop of Lucena at age 56
On June 12, 1982 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as Archbishop of Nueva Segovia succeeding Nueve Segovia Archbishop Juan C. Sison. He resigned from the seat on March 22, 1986 due to his appointment to the Roma Curia as Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
On June 28, 1991 he was elevated by Pope John Paul II to the College of Cardinals as Cardinal-Deacon of San Pio V at Villa Carpegna. On July 1, 1991 he was also appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy and President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. On June 1996 he retired as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. He was elevated to Cardinal-priest after 10 years on February 26, 2002
May we request Your Reverences to offer masses and prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of + Cardinal Sanchez
Given at our Chancery, City of Naga, Republic of the Philippines, this 9th day of March, in the Year of our Lord, 2012.
+LEONARDO Z. LEGASPI, O.P, D.D.
Archbishop of Caceres