Vidal’s family: Thank you, Cebu
The family of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has nothing but deep gratitude for the Cebuanos for showering him with their love until the moment he was laid to his final resting place yesterday.
Vidal’s niece Karen VidalRafanan said she could not help but be struck by the hordes of people who showed up to pay their last reverences to Cebu’s archbishop of 29 years.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong pakikiramay. Damang-dama po namin ang pagmamahal ninyo. Salamat po sa pagmamahal ninyo sa aking tiyo,” she told reporters.
Rafanan also thanked those who visited her uncle’s wake, especially those who travelled all the way from other regions just to show their love.
Juanito Vidal, the cardinal’s younger brother, said the family will be forever indebted to the Cebuanos for treating Vidal like he was a Cebuano himself.
“Labis kaming nagpapasalamat sa magandang pagtingin ninyo sa aking kapatid at habang buhay namin itong tatanawin na utang na loob,” Juanito said.
Vidal was laid to rest inside the mausoleum of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, more than an hour after his remains were paraded around downtown Cebu City.
Yet for Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Vidal’s death does not signify end to his story. Rather, he said accounts of Vidal’s goodness will continue to live on among the people whose lives had been touched by his fatherly care.
Tagle, in his eulogy during the Requiem Mass at the cathedral before the funeral procession, urged the faithful to keep spreading the good stories about Vidal.
“I am sure many of you would want to grab the microphone and share your story. If that happens, we will be able to bury him in two years from today,” he quipped, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
He said it is part of being human to share about the life of someone who died, and this affirms the basic insight of the Christian faith.
“Death is not the end. Death is not the annihilation of life… In death, life becomes complete. And so in our stories, we add to the completion of that life. (Because) that’s what Jesus did. He had to assume dying as the culmination of his life and mission and he became the source of life for many in His death and eternal life,” Tagle said.
“So please continue telling your stories as a celebration of the completion of life of this good and great servant of the Church,” he continued.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo, in his homily, recalled the lessons he learned from the cardinal after serving as his private secretary for 13 years. He enumerated three life lessons: to avoid quarrels; to learn self-control; and to take care of one’s fellow beings.
But he was quick to say Vidal needed to rest now since he had offered many things to the people since he was still alive.
“I have so many things to say to you, Your Eminence, but I cannot hold you for long… The burdens you carried in this world have worn out your body. Thank you for carrying us all in your shoulders and sorry for having been too much of a burden at times… You are truly a child of God,” he said.
The Catholic Church hierarchy also acknowledged Vidal’s work of dedicating his life for the cause of the Church.
“We join the Holy Father, Pope Francis, in recognizing the many contributions the late Cardinal Vidal has given to the universal and local Church, especially in the promotion of dialogue in peace,” said Msgr. Gabriel Viola, the secretary of the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican ambassador) to the Philippines.
In his speech during the funeral Mass, Viola said the previous apostolic nuncio in Manila also had fond memories of the late cardinal. “He will always be remembered and appreciated for his wise counsel and invaluable collaboration he extended to the apostolic nuncios during the time of his active service,” he said.
Vidal was appointed coadjutor (assistant) of the Archbishop of Cebu in April 1981 and was formally named as archbishop in August 1982, replacing the late Julio Cardinal Rosales.
Vidal tendered his resignation to the pope in 2006 and was given a nod on October 15, 2010. After his resignation, he had been staying at his retirement house in Cebu City.
Vidal died on October 18, a week into his confinement at a hospital in Cebu City. On the same day, his nine-day wake at the cathedral opened.
Msgr. Ruben Labajo, team moderator of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, said there are no plans yet to open the mausoleum for public viewing. He said such proposals will have to be decided by top church officials in a meeting.
However, Labajo said the place is open every Monday, 6 p.m., for the Mass of the Dead.