Jaime Sin - Priesthood and Episcopacy

Priesthood and Episcopacy

Sin was born in New Washington, Aklan, Philippines to Juan Sin (of Chinese ancestry) and Máxima Lachica (of Aklanon ancestry). He was the seventh of sixteen children. He eventually left his childhood home and his family to study in St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Jaro on 3 April 1954. He was the first rector of St. Pius X Seminary in Lawaan Hills, Roxas City, Capiz, serving from 1957 to 1967. On February 29, 1960, he was named Domestic Prelate (present-day, honorary prelate with the title of Monsignor. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of Jaro on February 10, 1967, and was ordained as bishop of the titular see of Obba on 18 March of that year. On 15 March 1972, Sin was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Jaro, taking on administrative roles in the archdiocese, while holding the titular see of Massa Lubrense. On 8 October 1972, Sin was appointed Archbishop of Jaro, taking full supervision of the archdiocese.

Sin's service as Archbishop of Jaro ended with his appointment on 21 January 1974 to the larger archdiocese seated in the nation's capital of Manila. Sin was officially installed as Archbishop of Manila at the Manila Cathedral on 19 March 1974. On 24 May 1976, Pope Paul VI made him a member of the College of Cardinals, creating him Cardinal Priest of the titular church of Santa Maria ai Monti. He remained the youngest member of the College until 1983.