Fr. JOAQUIN Bernas, SJ, known as one of the pillars of constitutional law not only in the Ateneo Law School but also in the country, passed away early morning on March 6, 2021. He was 88 years old.
On June 10, 1965, Bernas was ordained as a priest.
The Jesuit priest, lawyer, college professor, and writer then served as a Dean in the College of Arts and sciences from 1970 to 1971.
He began teaching in 1966 and served as a dean in 1974-1976 and 2000-2004.
He was a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Bernas also served as Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines in 1976-1982, President of Ateneo de Manila University in 1984-1993, and Rector of the Jesuit Residence in 1994-2000.
He was conferred the title Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo Law School when he retired in 2004.
The Ateneo de Manila University community requested the public to keep Bernas, his family, and his Jesuit brothers in their prayers. (RSR)