Today, 6th of October, marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Sister Mary Christine Tan. Sister Mary Christine was an influential figure in the Religious of the Good Shepherd (RGS) community in the Philippines. She was the first Filipino provincial superior of the RGS and chair of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women in the Philippines during the oppressive years of the Marcos dictatorship. Her name is memorialized on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, alongside the names of other religious figures and churchmen who fought for democracy during the martial rule from 1972 to 1986. In addition to her religious duties, Sister Christine was a close friend of Ninoy and Cory Aquino and supported them during their struggle against the dictatorship. She courageously joined the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution after the fall of Marcos. Despite being a woman of few words, Sister Christine always stood up for what she believed in and fearlessly voiced her opinions, even in the face of adversity. It is important to note that the RGS, in addition to the traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, has a fourth vow of zeal which Sister Christine epitomized. Today, we honor Sister Christine’s legacy, especially in a time when the church sector seems to be lacking a strong voice on issues affecting the vulnerable. Sister Christine’s impact on my life cannot be understated. She inspired me to engage in risky human rights work and provided me with guidance and support on multiple occasions. I owe a great deal to her and two other influential women who have helped shape my vocation. Alongside the likes of Maryknoll’s Sister Helen Graham and ICM Sisters Emelina Villegas and Teresita Agustines, Sister Christine was an active member of our planning sessions for “Ichthys,” a clandestine publication aimed at fighting against a truth under siege. Sister Christine eventually shifted her focus to Asian spirituality and dedicated her life to critical issues such as nuclear arms, poverty, and livelihood for the underprivileged. Despite her delicate health and privileged upbringing, she chose to live and work among the poor for over 20 years until her passing in 2003 at the age of 73. Sister Christine’s story is just one of many incredible tales of church people’s heroic service to society, documented in my book “You Can’t Interview God: Church Women and Men in the News” (Anvil, 2013). Her face, along with others, graces the unique cover of this publication, which is available for online purchase. I cherish the memories of Sister Christine and will forever be grateful for her significant impact on my life.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
