Vidal ‘left an example that is difficult to follow’

The country’s highest-ranking Catholic official on Thursday night said the late Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal “left us an example that is difficult to follow.”

During his eulogy to Vidal at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Socrates Villegas had to pause briefly to hold back tears.

“Eminence, you have left us an example that is difficult to follow, but we will keep on trying because you have left us more than sufficient inspiration to carry,” Villegas continued, his voice quivering.

Villegas, who is the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, said Vidal embraced the three C’s: Christ, Church and courtesy.

“Christ and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal were always one, that is why, seeing him was seeing Jesus… It was easy to look for Jesus if you found him,” he said.

He described Vidal as a man deeply devoted to the Church’s teachings and beliefs

“He was a man of the Church, who was always respectful to the hierarchy, a man of the Church who was always in love with the people of God… Cardinal Vidal was always that reverential pastor,” Villegas said.

The archbishop said the late prelate had a deep sense of courtesy.

“Like a true child of Marinduque, his favorite word was “po.” He never missed a chance to be polite, to be courteous, to be respectful… Cardinal Vidal, like God, was like that,” he said.

Vidal, who was born on February 6, 1931, died in Cebu City last Wednesday.

Today, his remains will be brought to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Pedro Calungsod at the Archbishop’s Palace. They will returned to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in the evening for the daily novena that will continue until his burial on Thursday at the cathedral’s mausoleum.

Among the government personalities who paid their last respects to Vidal were Senator JV Ejercito, Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Cebu Rep. Raul del Mar and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.

Catholic dioceses around the country offered Masses for the cardinal, among them the Archdiocese of Manila and the Diocese of Balanga in Bataan.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said Pope Francis will send a representative at Vidal’s funeral.

"We are expecting the announcement of the Papal legate, who will represent the Holy Father, during the funeral," Palma told the church-run Radio Veritas.

Also attending the funeral Mass for Vidal are the three living Filipino prelates: Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo and retired Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said Cardinal Vidal "was a uniting force during a dark period in the country's history," alluding to the role Vidal played during the days leading to the 1986 People Power revolt.

Vidal, who was CBCP president at the time, issued a letter denouncing the results of the fraud-ridden February 7, 1986 snap elections in which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed winner over Corazon Aquino.

Vidal was also among the influential people who urged President Joseph Estrada to step down during the second EDSA revolt or EDSA Dos in January 2001.

It is said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pardoned Estrada in October 2007 after Vidal convinced her to do so. (With Leslie Ann G. Aquino, and Ellson A. Quismorio)