Tighter security leading to burial
VIDAL WILL BE LAID TO REST ON OCTOBER 26
Security at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral is expected to be heightened in the next three days leading to the burial of the late Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on October 26.
Church officials anticipate more and more people to flock the church where Vidal’s remains are placed for public viewing. More personalities from government are also expected to visit.
Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Cebu archdiocese, said some police personnel have already been deployed within the church’s premises to ensure peace and order. Members of the Parish Security Group are also standing guard.
"Given the size of the crowd that will be present, the (Cebu) City government already alerted us that we should go through the standard security precaution, proceedings and procedures to ensure public safety," Tan told reporters yesterday.
Vidal's wake and the 24-hour public viewing will end officially on Wednesday midnight.
"Daghan na gyud ang mga tawo nga niabot. Gani, ang linya sa motan-aw sa haya sa cardinal taas na kaayo," said Fr. Joseph Larida of the committee on safety and security. Earlier, the roads near or leading to the cathedral were closed to public utility vehicles.
At the cathedral, police may conduct random inspection of bags but Larida said the past few days of the wake have been peaceful and visitors have been cooperative.
"People visiting had been respectful by following the guidelines. They have been cooperative that is why there is no major problem so far," he said.
Vidal will be buried at the mausoleum adjacent to the cathedral.
Those who wish to attend the funeral on Thursday are reminded of refraining from bringing bags and balloons.
Private vehicles will also be prohibited from entering the cathedral vicinity.
Tan said a VIP area inside the church will be reserved for government officials, benefactor, and friends of the cardinal who will attend the funeral. After a week of confinement at a hospital in Cebu City, Vidal succumbed to septic shock on October 18 after battling pneumonia for years.
PEACEKEEPER
Years ago, Congress honored Vidal for the latter's service as a peacekeeper. Vidal personally received his citations from the Senate and House of Representatives.
On December 7, 2010, the Senate adopted Resolution No. 306 filed by then Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile in recognition of the contributions made by Vidal, not only to Cebu, but to the entire nation.
The Senate lauded Vidal for his intercession in military coups, labor disputes, evictions of squatters and vendors, clashes of political camps and threats of injustices, which led the opposing sides to consider peaceful options and alternatives.
“Under his able leadership, he creatively tapped resources of the Archdiocese to help the poor and the oppressed, thus living out the principle of stewardship not only among priests and bishops but also among parishioners and faithful followers of the church,” the resolution stated.
Vidal was also credited for his efforts to preserve churches, rectories and other edifices of the Archdiocese and for protecting relics and artifacts of the faith, teaching bishops, priests and their flocks of the value of preserving culture and religious traditions.
The Senate commended Vidal for his “reputation of being an exceptional leader whose acts of charity and compassion and pleas for peace and moderation have made him a man of the faith highly respected by those around him.
“He deserves the recognition from the Philippine Senate to encourage leaders of other faiths to shepherd their respective congregations in helping achieve the development goals of their local communities and of the whole nation as well,” the resolution stated.
“Cardinal Vidal has ably represented the role of spiritual leaders in nation-building without compromising the principle of the separation of church and state and without stoking the fires of intolerance and prejudice,” it added.
Ahead of the Senate, the House of Representatives on December 1, 2010 also adopted Resolution No. 53 lauding Vidal for almost three decades of service to the people of Cebu.
The Resolution was sponsored by then Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel del Mar, the daughter of incumbent Rep. Raul del Mar.
The House lauded Vidal for providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community avert or survive several crises and conflicts, often acting as a peacemaker and giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views and interests in local and national issues.
“Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal has stood out as spiritual leader in community and country, not only providing comfort and inspiration in times of distress and affliction but also mediating in conflicts that threatened to divide us as people,” read the resolution.
The older Del Mar said earlier that if a man's greatness is measured by the loss that he leaves, Vidal was a great man indeed. He said Cebuanos who had watched and heard Vidal led his flock for several decades feel that loss more deeply.
“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.