Msgr. Vengco, theologian and author, dies at 79

Monsignor Sabino Vengco, Jr., a known theologian and author, died on Monday, the Diocese of Malolos announced.

The priest passed away at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center where he was confined since last week.

He was 79.

As of this posting, it is not clear what exactly caused his death.

In March, the priest was brought to Cardinal Santos Medical Center after contracting Covid-19. He recovered from the disease and was discharged from the hospital early this month.

On May 11, 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.

Msgr. Vengco was also 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 the recipient of the “San Jose Award” 2009 as an outstanding alumnus of San Jose Seminary for his work for the 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, Msgr. Vengco was Catholic Mass Media Awards’s “Serviam” awardee, a recognition given to groups and individuals who transmit Christian values through the media.

He was also the 2003 “Bukas Palad” awardee of Ateneo de Manila University and “Outstanding Catholic Author” in 1989. (CBCP News)

A version of this article was first published on CBCP News.