Cardinal Sin sick but in good spirits

Cardinal Sin sick but in good spirits

MANILA (DPA): Outspoken Philippine Roman Catholic Cardinal
Jaime Sin has been hospitalized since late last month due to a
stomach infection, church officials said in a statement on
Wednesday.

The 70-year-old clergyman was rushed to Cardinal Santos
Medical Center on Sept. 28 when he complained of stomach pains
and fever. Physicians said the infection was due to a tube
surgically inserted into his peritoneum, the membrane lining the
abdomen.

"His heart condition is stable," said Monsignour Socrates
Villegas, a vicar general of the archdiocese of Manila. "His
appetite is normal. He is very much alert and cracks jokes with
his doctors when they come to visit."

Sin was instrumental in shoring up support from millions of
Filipinos during the four-day popular uprising in February 1986
which toppled the 20-year regime of late dictator Ferdinand
Marcos.