Gains of Philippine Revolution Being Lost, Prelate Says
Cardinal Jaime Sin, in his first criticism of the six-month-old government of President Corazon Aquino, said Friday the gains of the revolution that ousted the regime of Ferdinand E. Marcos are “little by little being lost.”
Sin, the powerful archbishop of Manila who played a key role in the “people-powered” military revolt that toppled Marcos last Feb. 25, warned against “losing the hard-earned freedom and of the return of the worst kind of evil.”
Sin made his comments at a Mass launching 100 days of prayer and fasting called by the influential Catholic Bishops Conference to preserve peace and freedom in this largely Roman Catholic nation.
Aquino attended the Mass at the Manila Cathedral but did not respond in her remarks to the first broadside leveled at her government by Sin since she assumed the presidency.
A source close to Sin said the prelate is disenchanted by the apparent discord in Aquino’s Cabinet and intended his homily to serve as a warning to the “macho ministers” that the church is closely watching.
“Disunity shows its very ugly head. There is great reason to appeal once more for prayer and sacrifice, for the gains of the revolution are little by little being lost.
“The rich are starting to give in to the temptation of greed once more. The number of the poor are increasing.”
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