Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Pope hails Cory's "courageous commitment to freedom"; Church gives honor of wake in Manila Cathedral

Pope Benedict XVI hails Cory

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 10:22:00 08/03/2009

MANILA—Pope Benedict XVI hailed the late President Corazon Aquino for her "courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people" and sent word to her family and the Philippine government that he would be praying for her eternal rest.

The Pope likewise invoked an outpouring of divine graces on all Filipinos on the occasion of the former President's passing.

"Invoking upon all the Filipino people an outpouring of Divine Graces, the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing to all taking part in the Mass of Christian Burial, as a pledge of consolation, strength and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ," read the telegram sent by the Vatican to the Manila archdiocese.
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Catholic Church gives Cory singular honor
ABS-CBNNEWS.com

By Lynda Jumilla, ABS-CBN News 08/03/2009 4:00 PM

MANILA - Like the multitudes that have paid tribute to former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the Catholic Church also gave a singular honor to the woman described by Pope Benedict XVI as a “woman of deep, unwavering faith” by allowing her wake in the Manila Cathedral.

Bishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas said that the holding of wakes in the cathedral is reserved only for the demise of an archbishop of Manila. He then revealed that Aquino is the first layperson to have her wake at Manila Cathedral.

Also known as the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Manila Cathedral last hosted the wake for Jaime Cardinal Sin who died in 2005.

The choice of Manila Cathedral as a temporary stop for Cory's remains is largely seen as a result of the close ties between Aquino and Sin, who joined forces in fighting the Marcos dictatorship.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 5:55 PM