Pope expresses sadness on passing of Cardinal Vidal
The Holy Father Pope Francis has expressed sadness over the passing of retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal Oct. 18, at the age of 86.
In a letter sent to Vidal’s successor Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, the Pontiff said he was “deeply saddened” to learn the death of the Filipino cardinal, who shepherd the Cebuano
Catholics for 29 years.
“I extend my sincere condolences to you, and to the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Cebu,” Pope Francis said.
"Joining with you in expressing profound gratitude for the late Cardinal’s untiring and devoted service to the Church, and for his constant advocacy of dialogue and peace for all the people in the Philippines, I commend his soul to the infinite love and mercy of our heavenly Father," Pope Francis said in his letter.
“As a pledge of consolation and hope in the Lord, to all who mourn his passing in the certain hope of the Resurrection, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing,” the Pope said.
Msgr. Joseph Tan, the archdiocese’s spokesperson said, Vidal passed away at 7:26 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, “due to infection leading to septic shock.” The cardinal was rushed to the Perpetual Succor Hospital in Cebu on October 11 due to fever and difficulty in breathing.
Vidal was the oldest living cardinal. He was a colleague of Pope Francis in the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal’s wake The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said the Cardinal’s wake is at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It will be held for eight days except on Saturday, October 21, when his body will be transferred to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Pedro Calungsod at the Archbishop’s Palace compound on D. Jakosalem Street. October 21 marks the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod.
Funeral on Oct. 26
Cardinal Vidal’s funeral will be on Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. at the cathedral. He will be buried at the mausoleum at the back of the sacristy.
Public viewing The public has until today to view the archbishop’s remains at the cathedral.
Msgr. Ruben Labajo, team moderator of the CMC, said the cathedral will stay open for 24 hours Thursday and Friday.
“His body is placed at the left side of the church, in front of the altar of St. Vitalis, the patron of the cathedral,” Labajo said.
Vidal’s remains arrived at the cathedral on Wednesday afternoon.
Hundreds of people braved a downpour to visit the cathedral on the first night of Vidal’s wake. Transfer to Calungsod shrine The prelate’s remains will be brought back to the mother parish of the Archdiocese of Cebu at 8 p.m. on Saturday, where a requiem mass will be said.
In deep sorrow In his homily Wednesday night, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that while the church is in deep sorrow, it is also a time to “thank the Lord for giving his eminence to (lead his flock) in Cebu… We have experienced how fatherly he is, as a prelate.”
Palma described Vidal as “gentle and fatherly” and a person who “walks his talk.”
“How self-sacrificing he is... He’s a blessing to us. Even if he passed away, his advice, his example, will continue to be a guide to our faith,” he said.
Palma thanked the people who had been part of the prelate’s meaningful stay in Cebu.
Closed to traffic
City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who is also the deputy mayor for police matters, said that during wake, the streets around the cathedral will be closed to traffic and law enforcers were also deployed.
“Each corner surrounding the cathedral has traffic enforcers… The police force is ready, emergency response teams, and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines will augment a team today (October 19). All this, to ensure a peaceful wake of our cardinal,” Tumulak said.
VP Leni mourns
Meanwhile, Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo, joined the Filipino people in mourning the death of Cardinal Vidal, saying that she will miss the beloved cardinal.
Cardinal Vidal was a “true shepherd of his flock, providing guidance and calm assurance to our people during some of the most turbulent periods in our nation’s history,” she said in a statement.
The Vice President said he was a “peacemaker in times of conflict, and a beacon of courage in times we Filipinos were called upon to stand up for what was just and right.”
“He was a leader of faith who embodied some of the finest qualities of that commitment – serenity in the face of turmoil, perseverance in the face of adversity, conviction in the face of oppression,” she added.
“His life shall continue to inspire us in our efforts to forge the just, peaceful, and compassionate society he worked tirelessly for,” the Vice President said. (With a report from Raymund F. Antonio)