Vidal: Humble, gentle, faithful
From institutions to individuals, leaders to followers, government offices to civic groups, prayers and words of condolences poured in after yesterday's passing of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
“If a man's greatness is measured by the loss that he leaves us, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal was a great man indeed,” said Cebu City North District Representative Raul del Mar.
Del Mar said Cebuanos who had watched and heard Vidal lead his flock for several decades feel the loss more deeply.
He said Vidal was known as a peaceseeker and in many occasions – in the partisan and class conflict that sometimes besets and divides people – he was there as arbiter and mediator.
“During the times I was given the chance to work with him on social initiatives of the Church, he inspired and taught me that helping lessen poverty and injustice in our midst cannot be more rewarding,” del Mar said.
“A huge tree has fallen. And we heard its sound and we are immediately saddened. There's an aching void in our hearts,” he added.
NEVER PUSHY
At the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Tomas Osmeña has ordered the flag to be on half-mast in unity with the mourning Catholic flock.
Osmeña said Vidal, a native of Marinduque province in what is now known as Mimaropa region, is a classic example of a “Cebuano by choice.”
“Every part of his body is Cebuano. He's part of us. Of course, we will miss him. He's one of the most pleasant, if not the most pleasant, priest I've ever met,” the mayor said.
Osmeña said he shared many struggles with Vidal when the former was still in his early years in politics, such as when typhoon Ruping battered the city in the early ‘90s.
Vidal's greatest contribution, the mayor added, was the sense of stability that he gave to the community.
“He was not a dominating character. He's not forcing you on anyone. But he had his subtle way of advocacy but he did not push his way around… Many public servants can learn from him,” Osmeña said.
City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña recalled that Vidal once visited her husband in his hospital room when the mayor was suffering aneurysm.
“I'm sad that he has left us but he's now at peace. He came in soft and gentle. I cannot claim to have known him very well but what I knew of him was good enough,” Margot said.
A POLICE ALLY
Police Director-General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who was in Cebu yesterday, described Vidal as an ally of the police who was practical, down-to-earth, and knew the prevailing situation on the ground.
“Mao toy cardinal nga tinuod nga nakaapak sa ground, nga kahibaw sa tinuod nga sitwasyon,” dela Rosa told reporters.
The PNP and the Church often clashed when it came to the bloody crackdown against all forms of illegal drugs but dela Rosa was thankful that Vidal sympathized with the police.
“Magpasalamat ta nga naa tay mga cardinal na pareha sa iya, mga views nga very, very practical,” dela Rosa said.
Malacañang, in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, also expressed its sympathies to Vidal's family, friends, and the Catholics.
It said it recognized the “friendly, cordial relationship” between Vidal and President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The good cardinal paid a courtesy call to Malacañan shortly after (Duterte) assumed office and assured the Chief Executive of his fervent prayers for him and his administration,” the statement read.
ICON OF SOLIDARITY
In a resolution approved in mass motion, the Cebu Provincial Board also extended its condolences.
“He became indeed an icon of solidarity between the church and the government and has faithfully and devoutly shepherded his faithful in the Archdiocese of Cebu,” the resolution read.
The board acknowledged Vidal's contribution as one of the major proponents and initiators for the cause of the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino saint.
Governor Hilario Davide III, for his part, said: “We have lost a great and inspiring church leader and faithful and devoted servant of God. A true shepherd of the Lord's flock in Cebu, he will be missed and will forever remain in the hearts of those whose lives he had touched.”
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, urged the people to emulate Vidal's virtues and values.
“His wisdom and his humility, his love for priests, and his devotion to the Virgin Mary must live on in us whom he has left behind,” Villegas said.
Vidal served as Cebu archbishop for at least 28 years.