DOJ’s Guevarra on late Fr. Joaquin Bernas: ‘The epitome of the classic Jesuit scholastic’

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Saturday remembered the late veteran constitutionalist and lawyer Fr. Joaquin Bernas as the “epitome of the classic Jesuit scholastic.”

“Father Bernas was the epitome of the classic Jesuit scholastic,” Guevarra, an alumnus of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), said of Bernas in a text message to reporters. Bernas passed away early Saturday. He was 88.

“His masterful work on constitutional law is a must-read for all Ateneo law students,” he added. “To this day Fr. Bernas continues to mentor me through his masterpiece.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief also described Bernas as “like many Jesuits, he was a man of the world.”

“He did not live in an ivory tower. He was accessible and accommodating to everyone, could engage in a lively discussion on any topic (especially over a glass of scotch), and with a great sense of humor,” Guevarra said.

“As a lawyer, he was St. Thomas More reborn.”

And although he was not a student of Bernas, Guevarra said he had the opportunity to work with him after becoming a faculty member of the Ateneo Law School.

Aside from being one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, Bernas also served as ADMU president from 1984 to 1993 and was dean emeritus of the Ateneo School of Law.

/MUF