Fr. Bernas, one of framers of 1987 Constitution, passes away
FR. Joaquin Bernas,SJ, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution died on Saturday morning, the Ateneo de Manila University announced. He was 88 years old.
“It is with a heavy heart that Ateneo de Manila University announces the demise of priest, lawyer, and educator Fr Joaquin G Bernas SJ,” the university said in a statement.
Ateneo president Fr. Roberto Yap requested the Ateneo community to keep Fr. Bernas, his family and the Jesuit community in their prayers.
“We take solace in the knowledge that his was an earthly life filled with meaning and purpose. An earthly life dedicated to service, to standards of excellence, to the greater glory of God,” Ateneo Law School Dean Jose Maria Hofileña said in a separate memo.
Born in Baao, Camarines Sur on July 8, 1932, Bernas entered the Society of Jesus in 1950 and was later ordained in 1965.
Bernas served as the 28th president of the Ateneo de Manila University, serving from 1984 to 1993. In that time, Bernas served as one of the members of the 1986 constitutional commission, which led to the drafting of the present 1987 Philippine Constitution.
He had also served as the dean of the Ateneo School of Law, from 1972 to 1976 and from 2000 to 2004.