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.