Monsignor Sabino Vengco, Jr., a known Filipino theologian and author, died on Monday, May 17. He was 79.
In March, the priest was brought to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Makati after contracting COVID-19. He recovered from the disease and was discharged from the hospital early this month.
On May 11, Monsignor Vengco was again admitted to the same hospital where he reportedly underwent gallbladder surgery on May 13.
Ordained priest for the Malolos diocese in 1966, his 54 years of priestly life and ministry has been focused on teaching the faith in various theological faculties and also on mass media.
Monsignor Vengco was known for his “Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation,” a ministry that looks after the welfare of elderly and sick diocesan priests.
In 2010, he was awarded the “Dangal ng Lipi (Panglilingkod sa Pampamayanan)” by the Bulacan provincial government.
The priest was also recipient of the “San Jose Award” 2009 as an outstanding alumnus of San Jose Seminary for his work for elderly priests and his commitment to the teaching ministry.
In the same year, the Komisyon sa Wikang Pilipino conferred on him the “Gawad Sagisag Quezon” for exemplary use of the Filipino language in mass media.
In 2007, the Catholic Mass Media Awards recognized Monsignor Vengco’s works in transmitting Christian values through the media.
He was 2003 “Bukas Palad” awardee of Ateneo de Manila University and “Outstanding Catholic Author” in 1989.
