Ex-CJ Panganiban to get top papal honor for service

Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban Jr. is set to receive the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice,” the highest award lay people can get from the Pope.

In a post on its official social media accounts, the Manila Cathedral said Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula, by virtue of the authority granted by the Holy See, will confer the papal award on Panganiban during a Mass on Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila.

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is Latin for “For Church and Pope.” It is a medal bestowed by the Holy Father on people who have rendered exemplary service to the Catholic Church.

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“I do not know what miracles the angels brought to unworthy and undeserving me to qualify for such an award. I am just an ordinary worker in the Vineyard of the Lord,” Panganiban said upon learning of the papal award, as quoted by the Manila Cathedral.

Panganiban writes a column, “With Due Respect,” for the Inquirer every Monday. He is the current president of the Manila Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica Foundation.

Manila Cathedral renovation

Panganiban was cited for leading the strengthening, retrofitting, restoration, and renovation of the Manila Cathedral.

He was also recognized for leading various lay organizations in various capacities in the past decades.

Panganiban was appointed by then-Pope John Paul II as a member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Laity from 1996 to 2001.

During his five-year term, he was the only Filipino in this Council, which was composed of 30 Catholic leaders chosen by the Pope from various countries to advise him on “all matters involving the Christian life of the faithful.”

He also served as national vice chair and chief legal counsel of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting from 1993 to 1995.

He also served as secretary of the Council of the Laity of the Philippines from 1991 to 1993. He was also a retired special minister of the Holy Communion at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Makati City.