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Jose Tomas SanchezPhilippine and Curial Cardinal, Titular Bishop of Leswi
Date of Birth: 17.03.1920
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Content:
- Biography of Jose Tomas Sanchez
- Early Life and Education
- Pastoral Work and Teaching
- Episcopal Ministry
- Roles in the Roman Curia
- Cardinalate and Death
Biography of Jose Tomas Sanchez
Jose Tomas Sanchez was a Filipino and curial cardinal, titular bishop of Lesvi, and auxiliary bishop of Caceres from February 5, 1968, to December 12, 1972. He served as the coadjutor with the right of succession of the Diocese of Lucena from December 12, 1972, to January 12, 1982. He then became the Archbishop of Nueva Segovia from January 12, 1982, to March 22, 1986. Sanchez also held various positions in the Roman Curia, including Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

Early Life and Education
Jose Tomas Sanchez was born on March 17, 1920, in Pandan, a city in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. He attended the Holy Rosary Seminary in Naga City and the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where he earned a doctorate in theology. Sanchez was ordained a priest on May 12, 1946.
Pastoral Work and Teaching
As a priest, Sanchez was actively involved in pastoral work in the dioceses of Sorsogon and Legazpi, where he served as a vicar general. He also taught at various educational institutions, including the Sorsogon Minor Seminary, St. Agnes Academy, Elbe High School, and Aquinas University in Legazpi. Additionally, he taught at the main seminary of the Holy Rosary in Naga City.
Episcopal Ministry
On February 5, 1968, Sanchez was appointed titular bishop of Lesvi and auxiliary bishop of Caceres. He received his episcopal ordination on May 12, 1968, at the San Jorge Cathedral in Legazpi. In December 1972, he was named coadjutor bishop of Lucena and later succeeded as bishop on September 25, 1976. Sanchez actively participated in the administrative council of the Philippine bishops' conference and held various leadership positions in different committees and commissions.
Roles in the Roman Curia
From October 30, 1985, to July 1, 1991, Sanchez served as the Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Roman Curia. During his tenure, he played a significant role in the drafting and interpretation of the encyclical Redemptoris Missio, which focused on the evangelization mission of the Church. On July 1, 1991, he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, a position he held until June 15, 1996. He also served as the Chairman of the Pontifical Commission for the Preservation of the Church's Artistic and Cultural Heritage from July 1, 1991, to May 4, 1993.
Cardinalate and Death
Sanchez was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope John Paul II on June 28, 1991, with the title of cardinal deacon of San Pio V a Villa Carpegna. On February 26, 2002, he was promoted to the rank of cardinal priest with the same titular church. He reached the age of 80 on March 17, 2000, and thereby lost the right to participate in future papal conclaves.
Cardinal Jose Tomas Sanchez passed away on March 9, 2012, in Manila, Philippines, just eight days shy of his 92nd birthday. His funeral took place on March 12, with a requiem Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vidal. He was laid to rest in a specially prepared tomb in the sanctuary of the Good Shepherd Cathedral.