Retiring Cardinal Sin hands over

(21 Nov 2003)
1. Retiring Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin being assisted by aides
2. Procession
3. Priests at processional
4. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former President Corazon Aquino, and Senate President Franklin Drilon
5. Incoming Manila Archbishop, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales welcomed by people
6. Manila Cathedral altar
7. Priests
8. Cardinal Sin walking for turnover
9. Arroyo, Guingona and Aquino
10. Rosales getting staff from Sin
11. Priests' procession
12. Rosales being embraced by fellow bishops and priests
13. Manila street scene
14. SOUNDBITE (Tagalog) Boy Serrano, 42-year old Catholic
"For me, he should not meddle in government."
15. Fruit vendor
16. SOUNDBITE (Tagalog) Vox pop
"I hope that the new cardinal will not meddle anymore into politics because politics should not be included in one's religion. If you're with the church, you should just stick within the church."
17. Rosales being embraced by priests
18. Rosales being embraced by priest

STORYLINE:

Manila's influential Roman Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Sin, who helped rally Filipinos to topple two presidents, formally stepped down on Friday, turning over the position to Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, during ceremonies held at the Manila Cathedral.

Sin reached the retirement age of 75 last August, forcing him to submit a compulsory resignation letter to the Vatican as head of the Manila Archdiocese, that he has served for nearly three decades.

The Vatican accepted his resignation and named Archbishop Rosales as his successor.

Sin played a key role in the peaceful "people power" revolt that ousted the 20-year dictatorial rule of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, and installed Corazon Aquino to the presidency.

In January 2001, Sin was again with hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who rallied to force out then-President Joseph Estrada amid corruption charges.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was then Vice President, took over.

Although revered by many Filipinos, Sin has come under criticism.

Estrada supporters, mostly from among the poor, have denounced Sin and other members of the Philippine "elite" for ousting the former president.

After tens of thousands of Estrada's supporters tried to storm the presidential palace on May 1, 2001, the cardinal issued an unprecedented apology to the poor.

He acknowledged that the church had neglected them, making them easy prey for selfish, powerful people. He offered reconciliation and assurances that the church is not "anti-Estrada, but pro-morality."

Afflicted with kidney problems and diabetes, Sin has cut back on public appearances but remains a steadfast democracy activist.

Hours before hundreds of soldiers and officers staged the failed July 27 mutiny against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Sin called on Filipinos to be vigilant against groups plotting to violently overturn the country's democratic institutions. The mutinous troops surrendered after a 19-hour standoff.

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