Cardinal Vidal celebrates 37th Episcopal anniversary
Dec 05, 2008
Looking back across the years since his consecration as archbishop of Cebu on November 30, 1971, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal expressed gratitude beyond words can describe to God and to all who have continued to walk with God along with him.
Yesterday, Vidal celebrated his 37th Episcopal Anniversary, the day when he was consecrated as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
During the mass participated by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Adams, the ambassador of the Vatican Holy See, Vidal asked the followers of the Catholic Church to do more than just pray for him by accompanying his eminence in his pilgrimage along the “way of truth,” which he said the path he has chosen when he accepted the honor to be the Archbishop of Cebu.
Vidal said he was always inspired with how he sees the people grow in love with Christ as they go to church and pray “Lord, make us grow in love together with Benedict our Pope.”
Vidal, at 77, as he called to mind the circumstances that has brought him to where he is right now still humbled himself to everyone imitating how Christ has humbled himself when He gave up all his rights as God to save the human race from sin.
Vidal reminisced, “With no less than St. Pius X at the beginning of my Episcopal Succession, I must confess, I am at the same time highly honored and deeply humbled. I would like to thank you all or joining me in calling to mind that date when although unworthy, I was made a bishop.”
Vidal, above all thanked the Lord for the favor He bestowed on him in Christ Jesus such as the gift of speech and knowledge and the spiritual gift of witnessing to Christ to mention few.
Being always inspired with the principal objectives of popes which, Vidal said, he will always put in mind and practice with the help from the Holy Spirit, the restoring of all things in Christ and the defense of Christian truth and law.
Vidal said he will always acknowledge that only God can make the church and each individual grow.
“I believe that it is only the pulling grace of God from above that we grow together in love from below.”
Archbishop Adams during the Pontifical Mass also delivered his prayers for the cardinal. Adams prayed for the cardinal’s guidance and more blessings from the Lord.
Adams said that the Vatican community is with its deepest gratitude to Vidal for walking along with fellow believers in Christ. Adams thanked the cardinal for uniting and taking part in the protection of the people and their faith.
“To be a bishop is not easy because you have to do something that exceeds human possibilities. Cardinal Vidal has been entrusted to take build and strengthen the church and carried the burden. He was asked to do the same thing as Jesus did like pronouncing the gospel,” said Adams.
“May God repay him for his dedication and generosity and for giving himself entirely to God in service for the people,” Adams said.
Board defends Cardinal Vidal
Mar 27, 2008
The Cebu Provincial Board condemned the “disrespectful statement” of Senate witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. who described Cebu as the “Archdiocese of Malacañang.”
(Cebu Daily News, 03/26/2008) CEBU CITY, Philippines – In a resolution passed on Monday, the Board came to the defense of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
The Board said Vidal did not prevent any priest in the Archdiocese of Cebu from saying Mass for Lozada’s gatherings during his visit to Cebu on March 17.
Lawyer Rex Fernandez of Bayan yesterday criticized the resolution.
Fernandez explained that what Lozada said against the Cardinal was a personal opinion.
“He has the right to say that. Kay ngano man? Abi kay Cardinal man dili na lang ta kasaway (Why? Just because he’s a Cardinal we can’t say anything bad about him)?” Fernandez said.
Lozada called the Archdiocese of Cebu the “Archdiocese of Malacañang” after the organizer failed to get a priest to preside a Mass for him during his visit.
The Archdiocese, through the Presbyteral Council, denied that the Cardinal prohibited any priest to preside a Mass for the Lozada’s gathering.
Fernandez said the resolution of the provincial legislature did not foster democracy.
Fernandez, who said he is a friend of the resolution sponsor Board Member Victor Maambong, stated, “I’m sorry for Vic, but we part ways with this issue.”
Cardinal asks clergy: Be flexible, deal with modern ills
Dec 11, 2007
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal urged priests and the laity to respond to the changes of the times as they continue to reflect on who Jesus is in their lives.
(Sun Star, December 10, 2007) “There are many new things today, especially in the aspect of modern communications. It will be useless if the priests and the laity won’t be flexible in responding to them,” said Cardinal Vidal in yesterday’s homily at the Virgen de los Remedios Parish in Labangon, Cebu City.
The parish celebrated its feast yesterday, the second Sunday of Advent, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
“We can’t deny that we are experiencing hard times. It is difficult to live a Christ-like life because of the demands of civil society. But as devotees of the Virgin Mary, we must call on her so that she will pray for us always,” the prelate said.
During his celebration of the 16th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination last month, Cardinal Vidal cited “bomb blasts, passing storms, killings, fires and stand-offs” as concrete examples of these hard times, which have made him “very sad.”
Call for change
He then asked the Catholic flock to follow Mary who “listened and obeyed God’s word” and to make her an example in “the call for change.”
“As woman, mother and wife, Mary is very close to Jesus. I hope that we, too, will make the effort to be close to Jesus through the sacred sacraments He left in the church,” he said.
One of these sacraments is baptism, which the archbishop mentioned should be the start of renewal for priests and the laity. He added that Catholics should demonstrate proof of this renewal in their lives.
“This is why we need to go back to the Bible and renew our interest in studying it, because the Bible contains the teachings for us,” he said. The Archdiocese will celebrate next year its 75th anniversary, with the theme “Contemplating the Face of Jesus in the Bible.”
Cardinal urges: Know more than inmates’ dances
Oct 07, 2007
Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal visited the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Barangay Kalunasan for the first time yesterday, much to the delight of the inmates.
(Sun Star, October 07, 2007) CEBU - It was a visit the prisoners thought would never happen, said inmate Leo Suico, chairman of the council of leaders.
The detainees entertained the archbishop with the dances the CPDRC has become known for not just in Cebu but for regulars on the YouTube video-sharing website.
“It was a marvelous show of discipline,” said Cardinal Vidal of the inmates’ show, consisting of six dances.
“If only they had practiced that (discipline) in their lives, they wouldn’t be here.”
Discipline was exactly what it took to execute the numerous dance steps of different presentations, said Suico.
But even better than the popularity they’ve gained, the inmates were touched by the cardinal’s visit.
“We have always been judged as evil...we never thought that we would be visited by the cardinal,” Suico said in Cebuano.
Also among the spectators was Cebu Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez, who made the inmates laugh when, in his inspirational message, he said: “Nagtan-aw ko sa inyong sayaw, pagkabuotan man ninyo, nganong dia man kamo? (I noticed you were so disciplined when you danced. So why are you here?)”
Cardinal Vidal said it was a good thing that through the dances, the inmates will have the opportunity to live better lives.
“I hope their stay here will not be a kind of punishment in hell but a form of correction. They are here merely to rehabilitate their lives,” Cardinal Vidal said.
“They have shown in their dances that they gave it all. It shows an opportunity for them to change.”
The archbishop visited CPDRC as part of the celebration of the Prison Awareness Month. He officiated a mass at 3 p.m., with detainees taking part in the Scripture readings and the choir.
In his homily, the prelate lauded the inmates for their ability to dance, which the Internet has enabled audiences abroad to view.
However, the cardinal also wondered aloud why the daily lives of the inmates were not televised as well, such as the condition of their cells or food.
“Gikinahanglan pa unta na magpakabana kita sa panghitabo didto sa ilang mga pribadong selda nga wala naapil sa video... nagsinardinas, kulang sa kalimpyo ug ang pagkaon, kulang sa quantity og sa quality (We need to be made aware of the conditions they live in, the lack of cleanliness and food).”
He also acknowledged that some of the inmates may have been victims of injustice, because they did not have influential connections.
Immediately after the mass, the cardinal sat with some foreign guests to see the inmates perform.
The inmates first simulated an army formation to the beat of “Do the Hustle,” which they ended with a dance. They then formed a cross while “Gregorian Chant” played, followed by dances to the tunes of “I will Follow You” and “Rico Mambo.”
The CPDRC inmates capped the presentation with their Algorithm and Thriller dances, which have drawn millions of viewers on YouTube. That brought the audience to its feet.
After the presentations, the prisoners waved to the cardinal, who repeatedly congratulated them for their performance. (JGA)
Estrada seeks comfort from Cardinal Vidal
Aug 14, 2007
Former president Joseph Estrada, who is facing charges of plunder and perjury, has talked about his fears of getting an unfavorable decision from the Sandiganbayan with a priest whom he considers a friend and spiritual adviser.
(abs-cbnnews.com, August 14, 2007) Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said Estrada has sought for his advice about what he should do if ever he is found guilty or absolved in the plunder charges.
Vidal said to console the former president, he gave him advice on possible scenarios if ever he is released from jail or found guilty.
The priest said Estrada has promised not to run for any public office again if ever he is released. The former president also promised to spend more time with his family and provide more help to the poor.
Vidal said he is hoping that his friend, Estrada, would accept whatever the decision of the Sandiganbayan may be.
The Sandiganbayan heard the final arguments of the prosecution and Estrada's camp last June 15. The anti-graft court is expected to release the verdict this month.
Estrada served only half of his six-year term after he was ousted by a popular revolt in 2001. The former president was ousted due to allegations of pocketing millions in tobacco excise tax and jueteng kickbacks.
There are allegations coming from Estrada's camp that the administration of President Arroyo is pulling strings for a guilty verdict.
Suspicions of a guilty verdict came after full page ads were published in newspapers telling the people to accept the Sandiganbayan's decision on the case.
Even if there were no mention of a guilty verdict, Estrada's camp claimed the ads were published to condition the minds of the public for a guilty verdict.
Estrada is the first Philippine president tried by the anti-graft court.
Former president Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled for over 20 years with a strong hand and also accused of amassing the country's wealth, went into exile in Hawaii in the United States after the first People's Power revolution in 1986.
His Eminence, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal celebrates 51 years of service to the Lord as a priest
Mar 15, 2007
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Jamin Cardinal Vidal is celebrating 51st anniversary of his sacerdotal ordination.
(Tempo, March 16, 2007) Born on February 6, 1931, in Mogpog, Marinduque, Cardinal Vidal completed his early studies at the Minor Seminary of the Most Holy Rosary (now Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) in Sariaya, Quezon. He studied Philosophy at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Lipa City and then Theology at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City.
He was ordained as a deacon on September 24, 1955, and as a priest on March 17, 1956, at the St. Ferdinand Cathedral, Lucena City. He was named the assistant parish priest of Mogpog and, at the same time, formator and professor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary in Lucena City. From 1957 to 1965, he was spiritual director at the Major and Minor Seminaries in the Diocese of Lucena. From 1965 to 1971, he served as rector of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Seminary.
He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos in September, 1971, then Archbishop of Lipa during the Feast of the Queenship of Mary on August 22, 1973. In 1981, he was appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Cebu, with the position of Vicar General of the Archdiocese and parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. He was installed Archbishop of Cebu on September 18, 1982, and was proclaimed as the fifth Filipino Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the Consistory on May 25, 1985.
Cardinal Vidal has held several religious positions, including president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Clergy, and convenor of the Standing Committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. In the Roman Curia, he is a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Congregation for Catholic Education, and the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.
He has been conferred honorary doctorates by the University of Santo Tomas, the Manuel S. Enverga Foundation University, Ateneo de Manila University, and San Carlos University. Among his awards are Ecclesiastical Papal Chaplain in 1969, Outstanding Filipino Award in 1998, Rizal Peace Award in 2002, and the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion in 2002. Since 2000, he has been President of the Pontifico Colegio Filipino, a home in Rome for Filipino diocesan priests sent abroad by their bishops to pursue higher ecclesiastical studies.
In 2005, Cardinal Vidal participated in the papal conclave which selected Pope Benedict XVI as the successor of Pope John Paul II. In 2006, upon reaching retirement age, he tendered his resignation as Archbishop of Cebu but it was declined by Pope Benedict XVI, who personally invited Cardinal Vidal to continue his apostolic work.
We congratulate His Eminence, Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of his priesthood and pray for many more years of good health so he can carry on his pastoral service and continue to share his spiritual gifts with the people of the whole Philippines.
Cardinal Vidal pleads with clergy to change erring ways
Dec 30, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, facing a series of cases of priests accused of child abuse and of enriching themselves, on Thursday appealed to members of the clergy under him to change their ways.
(The Balita, December 29 2006) The 75-year-old prelate, who has been under pressure to act on cases of misconduct, spoke at the end of the annual Christmas reunion of diocesan and religious priests in Cebu.
"Please, my brother priests, what is it that you lack? How much more material things do we need before we say: I have enough? When we stop to face our own poverty, when do we tell ourselves, No more?" Vidal said.
About 500 priests in the gathering at the San Carlos Minor Seminary in Mabolo, Cebu City listened quietly when the cardinal, who suffers a heart ailment, spoke of the need to remember their roles as trusted stewards and the need to "renew" themselves.
He said they should reform and "do it for the sake of you peace of mind, your own good and your own redemption."
Vidal did not mention specific cases of wrongdoing, but was clearly affected by recent publicized complaints against a few diocesan priests linked to alleged misuse of parish funds or some who acquired land and valuable property in their names.
Last November, 20 high school girls complained that a priest intimately touched their shoulders and chests during confession in a religious seminar organized by the Abellana National High School.
"You have seen how I have suffered in these past week," said Vidal.
As archbishop, he has absorbed a lot of the flak for reports of misconduct being the direct superior and moral leader of more than 2,000 diocesan priests in Cebu.
A running dispute in the St. Thomas de Villanueva parish of Pardo, Cebu City has ripened into a libel case filed by Fr. Domingo Tapic against a group of parishioners who accused him of misusing church funds and enriching himself.
The group wrote Cardinal Vidal last July complaining that church collections went to the pockets of parish priests Fr. Tapic and Fr. Constantino Diotay, and that several properties were now in the names of the clergymen.
Diocesan priests take a vow of chastity and are supposed to live a "spirit of poverty," but it's not uncommon to see priests owning expensive cars and real estate, or parish priests forgoing any public accounting of money collected from churchgoers during mass or donors or charity projects.
"We deny ourselves of materials things but we do not know what to let go and what to let be," said Vidal in his closing remarks.
"My message is too long. All I want to say is, "please remind yourselves that you are priests," Vidal said in conclusion. (PNA)
‘Ask about Cha-cha’
Dec 16, 2006
In opening his traditional celebration of the dawn masses, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal gave importance to what he described as “the social concern of these days”: Charter change.
(Sun.Star, December 17, 2006) In his homily during the 4:30 a.m. concelebrated mass at the chapel of the Archbishop’s Palace, Vidal told the faithful that in deciding to support a cause, a person should tap one’s willingness to tell the truth, care for justice, act with integrity, shared love and show respect for each other’s freedom.
“Let us precisely be aware of the several social concerns that we have to face, and fight, and finish one at a time. There is no denying it. One social concern of these days is the Charter change. If you want to decide as to its need or no need, always be honest and be humble to ask questions in order to be clarified and to become committed to a cause,” the prelate said.
Cardinal Vidal said widespread discussion about the matter is essential “in prayer meetings, in Bible studies, in seminars and even retreats. And even a brief sermon at a mass may start off the discussion to be continued outside.”
In an interview after the mass, Vidal explained that he included the issue on constitutional change in his sermon because Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo wants an information campaign about it.
The CBCP is leading a “thanksgiving rally” today, after President Arroyo and her allies in the House of Representatives backed off from Charter change through a constituent assembly.
Administration allies in the House have sought a change in the form of government from presidential-bicameral to parliamentary-unicameral. One of the controversial provisos is the extension of the proponents’ terms of office.
Vidal said the Cebu Citizens Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel) is coming out with a module about Changer change.
But the prelate stood firm on his earlier statement that he will not take part in the church-led prayer rally today.
“They want to rally but I do not like prayer-rallies. I do not like it because I have experienced it many, many times. It’s not prayer. What we want is to pray for peace and order, reconciliation,” the prelate said.
As to Speaker Jose de Venecia’s plan to ask Vidal to mediate between the House of Representatives and the Senate, Vidal said he is not the right person to do it because the issue is political.
“When it is religious matters, I know. But when it is political, how do I know? How can I react? What they do in Congress, I am not a party to it. In the first place, I do not know what they do. I have so many things to do,” Vidal said, adding that he will just pray for both the House and the Senate.
With this year’s Misa de Gallo theme of “Living the spirituality of stewardship in this year of social concerns”, Vidal thanked the faithful for waking up early to hear the mass, despite exposing themselves to danger while walking on the roads.
The prelate said it is faith that moves the people to get together “as one, big, happy family in order to hear the word of God, all about Christmas.”
It is in hearing mass that the faithful learn some lessons to live by that will guide them on how to behave and make peace, especially at home and at work, Vidal said.
He hopes that the faithful will be present in the next eight dawn masses, as some only attend the first and the last dawn masses.
“I know, and you know, it demands from all of us a lot of sacrifices and of prayers and even headaches and backaches,” he said.
Cardinal Vidal marks today 35th year of his ordination
Nov 29, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, one of the most influential Catholic Church leaders in the country, is celebrating today the 35th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.
(The Manila Bulletin, November 30, 2006) Vidal, who became bishop in 1971, is expected to be greeted by thousands of his parishioners and guests at the centuries-old Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City.
Among the Cardinal’s expected guests are Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Fernando Filoni and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo.
Aside from Filoni and Lagdameo, bishops from other dioceses, priests from the Cebu archdiocese, lay representatives from all Cebu parishes, and contingents from the archdiocese’s religious brothers and sisters and lay associates are also expected to greet the Cardinal.
The highlight of the celebration is a pontifical concelebrated mass at 5 p.m. today, to be officiated by the honoree himself with all the visiting bishops and priests of the archdiocese.
Also part of the celebration is the launching of his book "Cardinal Vidal Speaks to his Priests", a collection of his homilies and speeches.
Ordained priest in 1956, the 75-year-old prelate first served as a parish priest in his hometown in Mogpog, Marinduque.
After being appointed as bishop in 1971, he was later installed as archbishop of Lipa City in Batangas.
In 1981, he was named coadjutor archbishop of Cebu. He was formally installed as archbishop of Cebu City on Sept. 18, 1982.
It was in 1985 when Pope John Paul II appointed Vidal the fifth Filipino cardinal. He also became the president of the CBCP from 1986 to 1987 and served as chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on the Clergy (ECC) in 1989.
Vidal also serves as the president of the Pontificio Colegio Filipino (PCF), a home in Rome of Filipino diocesan priests who have been sent abroad by their bishops to pursue higher ecclesiastical studies.
Among the many awards that he received are: The Outstanding Filipino Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1998, and the Rizal Peace Award in 2002.
Vidal silences priest, asks him to leave town for now
Aug 09, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal told Santander parish priest Fr. Jovencio Rabusa to no longer issue comments regarding the allegations made against him by some altar boys.
(Sun Star, August 09, 2006) Rabusa was also asked not to return to the southern town while some parishioners are still stirred up.
The cardinal’s gag order came on the same day former members of the Parish Pastoral Council took turns narrating abuses the priest allegedly committed, aside from the altar boys’ accusations that he hit and molested them.
At least 12 former members of the parish’s core group called for a press conference yesterday at a house in Barangay Bunlan in Santander.
Eugenia Culanag, 51, disclosed that 74 parishioners have either changed religion or stopped hearing mass because of the alleged abuses of Rabusa.
Seventeen altar boys also have grievances against Rabusa, who has been the parish priest of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish for nearly six years.
Culanag also clarified that Rabusa did not twist but only pinched her leg for her failure to attend one core group meeting. The incident happened last May 5.
However, that pinch resulted in bruise or hematoma, according to a medical certificate she got from the Oslob District Hospital.
Culanag had the incident recorded in the police blotter because it was a requirement to get a medical certificate.
In an earlier interview, Rabusa denied any inappropriate behavior in dealing with the parishioners and the altar boys. He said he only wanted to “instill discipline with love.”
He is willing to be transferred as long as the family of the altar boy he allegedly punched for giving him the wrong booklet during a Sunday mass will not press charges.
The priest is now in Cebu City after he met with Cardinal Vidal yesterday morning.
Outside the church in Santander, some supporters of Rabusa said they are hurt by the allegations hurled against their parish priest.
One woman who refused to be named said those who have accused the priest of verbal and physical abuse are “anti-Church.”
Another defended Rabusa’s actions, saying the priest only wants to instill discipline just as a parent would to a child.
They said some may have only misinterpreted Rabusa’s “discipline of love” as abusive.
But for Culanag, her absence in the core group meeting was because of a previous incident where she said the priest hurt her emotionally.
Eugenia recalled that last April, she wanted to have her grandchild baptized but only to be badmouthed by Rabusa since her daughter does not have a husband.
“Nganong nibilangkad man ka (Why did you open your legs)?” she recalled Rabusa’s question for her daughter during the pre-Jordan seminar.
Eugenia just wanted to keep the matter quiet but it was her husband Pedro who was more irked.
Eugenia and Pedro sought the help of Msgr. Cayetano Gelbolingo, parish priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, to bring the matter up to Cardinal Vidal.
But Pedro said they have not received an answer yet.
Laura Caro also alleged that Rabusa curses and enforces a specific donation every collection.
Rabusa’s alleged tantrums also caused Adolfa Culanag, 51, to change religion.
She said she tried informing Rabusa of the death of her mother in June 2003 so a mass could be scheduled. However, she could not get hold of the priest for three days since he was either out of the convent or resting.
When Adolfa finally talked with Rabusa, the latter allegedly got mad for informing him too late.
She buried her mother in a Catholic cemetery but left the Catholic faith immediately after that.
She is now a protestant, a member of the Church of Christ. She has no complaints, so far, of her new Church.
For her part, Vitaliana Serencio narrated that she and Rabusa had an altercation over a procession that she suggested to pray for the rising dengue cases in Santander.
In one homily, Serencio said the priest berated her indirectly.
She approached the priest after the mass to clear the air, but it resulted in an exchange.
Hermosa Lozano also said Rabusa slapped an acolyte at the nape that almost caused the latter to fall from the stairs.
The reason for the slapping was that the acolyte failed to wake up early, said Lozano.
A Sun.Star news team visited Rabusa’s convent to get his side on the issue but an aide said it was the priest’s day off.
A man who wouldn’t bid goodbye
Jul 31, 2006
He is known for his simplicity. He is popular even without trying. He makes solid convictions; he could oppose a whole nation as long as he stands by the truth. He is gentle yet strong, balance and firm. For more than half a decade he served the Filipinos as a worker of God. He has helped keep our religious foundations steady amidst years of political instability and social turmoil. All these he did with love, sincerity and compassion.
(Manila Standard Today, July 15 - 16, 2006) Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, now the most senior active prelate in the Philippines, is an icon to many Filipinos. His witty and fun-loving nature endeared him to people. The people closest to him would reveal the Cardinal’s one weakness—food. “Mahilig talaga siyang kumain, kahit anong ihain mo kakainin niya, di ka mapapahiya sa kanya,” a friend shares about him.
Cardinal Vidal’s graciousness to his hosts has taken its toll on him. In 1987, he was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, considered the most common type of heart disease. Excess fats and cholesterol buildup formed in his coronary arteries and blocked the pathway of oxygen-rich blood to his heart, causing him to frequently experience extreme pain in the chest.
At first, Cardinal Vidal, didn’t know what to do. He felt helpless, not because he was afraid to die but because he deemed there are still a lot of things that he needed to do for his people. He read a lot about CAD and found out that it can be treated. He was presented with two options: heart bypass or angioplasty. The cardinal opted to undergo the less invasive angioplasty on the same year. He was doing well for a couple of years but because angioplasty was still making use of bare stents, there was a recurrence of his blockage. His chest pains came back and his condition got worse in 1995. “I experienced difficulty in breathing,” the cardinal recounts. It was there that he underwent quintriple bypass.
For some time, the cardinal recovered fully and went back to his many pastoral activities. In 2004, however, it was determined that he needed a new procedure. The cardinal suffered restenosis or renarrowing of the artery. Restenosis happens when the artery wall forms keloid-like scars as it tries to heal itself after getting stretched in an angioplasty. The scar will proliferate until it clogs the artery again.
Fortunately, the latest development in treating CAD was already introduced in the Philippines that year. The Sirolimus-Eluting Stent from Johnson & Johnson, often described as the turning point in interventional cardiology, was especially developed to address the problem of restenosis. On Nov. 30, 2004, Cardinal Vidal underwent coronary stenting using Sirolimus-eluting stents.
The stent, a tiny cylindrical wire mesh, was mounted on a small inflatable balloon and inserted in the Cardinal’s blocked artery through a tiny incision on his limb. The balloon when inflated will expand the stent and will press the fatty deposits (plaques) to the artery wall, leaving a wider opening to facilitate regular blood flow. The stent will be left in place to hold the artery open. The drug Sirolimus, incorporated in the polymer coating of the stent will be eluted in about 30 days to inhibit the growth of scars along the artery wall and prevent restenosis. The procedure took less than one hour, and being minimally invasive, Cardinal Vidal was released from the hospital the following day.
After his successful procedure, Cardinal Vidal was very thankful that he could go back to his sworn duty again. “The procedure has proven to be a savior. Coronary stenting provided me with something special, which is a new lease in my life. And with that I promise the people of Cebu to serve them well,” the cardinal said.
Much as he wanted to continue his service to the Cebuanos, on Feb. 6, his 75th birthday, Cardinal Vidal has already reached his mandatory retirement age. Merely three days after his birthday, the cardinal submitted his retirement paper to the Vatican, giving himself to the full disposition of the Holy Father. Good thing, the Pope denied his resignation.
Cardinal Vidal’s birthday wish was to see all Filipinos unite and hand in hand work toward a better Philippines. For almost two decades, he fought his heart disease in silence, and though alone, he was able to triumph over it. This is a clear indication of how much he wanted to stay with us, share our pain and suffering, until we are able to stand again and learn from our mistakes.
Cardinal opposes moves to amend constitution
Jul 24, 2006
Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has joined a coalition opposing moves to amend the Constitution and adopt a parliamentary system, according to a convenor of the group.
(Independent Catholic News, 14 July 2006) Former Commission on Elections chairman Christian Monsod of "One Voice" said Vidal had signed up for the "non-partisan" movement, which is seeking social reforms, the holding of a constitutional convention if needed, and the rebuilding of Filipinos' trust in democratic institutions.
"The very encouraging response from individual Filipinos and organizations demonstrate that people are looking for a better way to address the political impasse so that the country can move on," Monsod said.
Other religious leaders who have signed up with One Voice against a people's initiative being pushed by many local officials and the group "Sigaw ng Bayan" include Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias and Cainta Catholic College president Monsignor Arnel Legarejos.
Monsod said four trustees of the Foundation for Worldwide People Power had also signed up. They are Inquirer founder Eugenia D Apostol, former energy secretary Delfin Lazaro, Edilberto de Jesus, and Panfilo Domingo.
"One Voice's position is that there is a need for unity around peaceful and constitutional processes that would strengthen, rather than endanger, the country's democratic institutions," Monsod added.
The group's five-point agenda calls for the discontinuation of the present "people's initiative;" a social reform program now; elections in 2007 as scheduled, as an indirect referendum on the current administration; a constitutional convention after next year's elections, if necessary, and a collective effort to rebuild the trustworthiness of democratic institutions.
"We appeal to the proponents of the people's initiative, especially the President [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo], to please rethink this move. Not only is it questionable as a genuine people's initiative but in the context of our current political culture and structure, the kind of parliamentary system being proposed will tend to worsen the concentration of political power in the country," One Voice said in its position paper
Solicitation letter to mines chamber surprises cardinal
Jul 24, 2006
Without admitting or denying the reported solicitation, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said yesterday he doesn’t know who wrote the letter asking for P500,000 from the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines.
(Sun Star, July 17, 2006) The letter, dated April 10 of this year, bears the prelate’s name and signature, as well as the official seal and letterhead of the Archdiocese of Cebu.
In an interview yesterday, Cardinal Vidal said he does not know anything about the letter yet since he just arrived from Valencia, Spain last Friday.
He also mentioned having solicitations for the foundation he is putting up, but he did not clarify any connection between the foundation and the mining chamber.
“What is that? I have just arrived. No, I don’t know who did that,” Vidal said after being shown a copy of the letter he supposedly sent to Chamber of Mines of the Philippines President Philip Romualdez.
In pain
The cardinal was reported to have written the letter asking the chamber for a donation of P500,000 for a foundation his friends are putting up.
“Yes, it’s for the foundation but I don’t know yet what is that. Please do not ask me anything because I have just arrived and I am in pain,” he told Sun.Star Cebu after his mass.
Cardinal Vidal celebrated mass at the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel yesterday morning.
In his homily, he thanked the Blessed Virgin Mary for the protection and guidance, which he personally experienced during his trip to Spain earlier this month.
He urged the faithful to accept the presence of Mother Mary in their homes and to strengthen their devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
“As men and women of hope, let us be devotedly clothed with the brown scapular, which as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel promised, is a badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger and a pledge of peace and special protection until the end of time,” Vidal said.
According to an article published in this week’s issue of the news magazine Newsbreak, Cardinal Vidal was reported to have written Romualdez a letter asking for a P500,000 donation to a foundation his friends were putting up in his behalf.
Sun.Star Cebu obtained a copy of the letter, where the cardinal supposedly sought the chamber’s help to fund his food-sharing program in the archdiocese.
The letter, however, did not state other details about the foundation.
It also mentioned the jubilee celebrations of the cardinal this year and his wish “to be able to further reach out to the poor and underprivileged so I may be able to share with them the many gifts that our Lord has bestowed upon me.”
The author also requested the chamber to be one of the few members of the foundation’s council of advisers.
“Bearing in mind the basic objectives of the foundation, may I also appeal for your financial support. A donation of P500,000 will greatly provide the seed money to keep my projects ongoing even after my retirement,” the letter read.
Earlier this month, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) cautioned the Arroyo administration when it began promoting mining to investors.
The CBCP called on the stakeholders of the mining industry to ensure the environment is protected and that nearby communities could benefit from mining operations in the country.
Devotees brave drizzle for coronation of Cebu’s patroness in Guadalupe
Jul 24, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal led thousands of devotees in the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu at 3 p.m. yesterday.
(Sun Star, July 17, 2006) Vidal, in his homily, said the coronation symbolized the official and formal recognition of Our Lady of Guadalupe as the patroness of the archdiocese of Cebu.
The coronation, held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu Parish in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, took place by virtue of a pontifical decree dated May 9, 2006, issued by the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
In 2003, Vidal also officiated the enthronement ceremony of the Our Lady of Guadalupe as the patroness of the archdiocese.
No confusion
Rev. Fr. Carlito Pono, the parish priest, explained to reporters that there should be no confusion between the feast of the blessed image as a parish and its celebration as the patroness of the archdiocese of Cebu, as well as the Feast of Señor Sto. Niño.
Officially, Pono said the Catholic faithful celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe as the patroness of the archdiocese of Cebu every July 16, while the one being celebrated every Dec. 12 is its feast as a parish.
The Pontifical Mass was also participated by bishops Emilio Bataclan, Christian Noel and Vicente Manuel and at least 25 priests.
In his homily, Vidal recalled how the devotion to the patroness helped stop the outbreak of cholera in Cebu City in 1902.
Wrong values
He, however, lamented that people are still struggling to fight off not cholera but another “disease” that is slowly destroying the children and the youth.
“Bisan dili na kolera ang nagsakit sa atong katilingban, sakit lang gihapon ang gibati sa daghang mga bata ug batan-on nga nagmakulang sa maayong pamatasan ug natudloan na hinuon nga makakat-on sa mga hiwi nga gawi,” the prelate said (Cholera may no longer be afflicting our youth but they lack good values and have learned wrong ways).
Vidal prayed that the patroness of the archdiocese would protect and save the youth, with the guidance of parents and teachers.
The prelate said the crowning of Our Lady of Guadalupe also indicated that good triumphed over the forces of evil.
The celebration yesterday ended with a procession that started at 6 p.m.
Cebu archdiocesan denies Vidal signed "One Voice" Manifesto on Charter Change
Jul 03, 2006
Cebu Archdiocesan spokesman on Saturday denied reports that Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal signed the "One Voice Manifesto" against Charter Change.
(Cebu News, July 01 2006) Monsignor Achilles Dakay, Cebu archdiocesan media liaison officer, in a radio interview, said Cardinal Vidal had never signed the manifesto.
He said former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman and One Voice convenor Christian Monsod furnished him a copy of the manifesto but Cardinal Vidal did not sign it.
Organizers of One Voice, a non-partisan group calling for social reforms and the discontinuance of the Charter change (Cha-Cha) initiative, earlier announced that more groups and individuals, including Cardinal Vidal, have declared their support for the movement.
One Voice, Monsod said, offers a five-point proposal to break the current political impasse -- discontinue the present people's initiative to amend the Charter; launching of a social reform program; elections in 2007 as scheduled as an indirect referendum on the current administration; if necessary, a Constitutional Convention after the election; and a collective effort to rebuild the trustworthiness of democratic institutions.
The former Comelec chief reiterated One Voice's position for unity around peaceful and constitutional process that would strengthen, rather than endanger, the country's democratic institutions. (PNA)
Benedict XVI extends term of Cardinal Vidal
Mar 19, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday announced that he will continue serving as Archbishop of Cebu following the personal invitation of Pope Benedict XVI for him to continue his apostolic work even as he reached the retirement age for cardinals.
(The Manila Bulletin Online, Mar 15, 2006) CEBU CITY — Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco, in a letter addressed to Cardinal Vidal, said that the Holy Father had received Vidal’s resignation as Archbishop of Cebu but the Pope was inviting him to continue his ministry.
"Giovannie Battista Cardinal Re has informed me that the Holy Father is inviting you to continue your ministry. I am giving you this information so that you can bring it to the knowledge of the entire archdiocese and continue in your pastoral service in the local church, giving to the Holy Father the decision when to appoint a new pastor for the archdiocese of Cebu," the nuncio said in a letter that was read during a mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vidal’s ordination as priest yesterday afternoon.
Cardinal Re is the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican.
The crowd was surprised by the announcement of Vidal’s extension as Archbishop of Cebu because most of those who attended yesterday’s mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral were expecting that the Cardinal would give his farewell message.
In response, Cardinal Vidal said he will continue what he has been doing as Archbishop of Cebu and urged the Cebuanos to continue praying for him.
"Unworthy as I am, it is only in God’s presence that I found the strength to serve Him in the priesthood this past 50 years and the years to come," Vidal said.
Pope Benedict XVI, in another letter also read at the mass yesterday, praised Cardinal Vidal for the many good works he has done for the church. The Pope also extended his prayers for Vidal to be strengthened by the grace of God as the Cebu Archbishop recalled the happy and abundant memories of his life as a priest.
"We wish to praise in a special way your orthodox doctrine and adherence to Christ and His Church. We cannot be silent about your good work for the universal church, hence for these and for very many other reasons to rejoice, we greet you on this happy anniversary celebration of your priesthood as well as of the many good works you’ve done for the whole church," said the Pope in the letter.
On his 75th birth anniversary last Feb. 6, 2006, Vidal submitted a letter of resignation as required by the Code of Canon Law but expressed his readiness to continue his apostolic work.
The Code of Canon Law requires that Catholic bishops must tender their resignation on their 75th birth anniversary.
Vidal earned his degree in theology at San Carlos Seminary in Makati after graduating with a degree of bachelor of arts in philosophy from St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Lipa City.
He was ordained priest on March 14, 1956, and appointed bishop 15 years later during the time of Archbishop Carmine Rocco, then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
Vidal has led the Cebu archdiocese since September, 1982.
Cardinal Vidal backs bail for Erap
Mar 04, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday announced his support for Malacañang’s initiative for detained President Joseph Estrada’s temporary liberty and offered himself as a guarantor should the Sandiganbayan choose to grant Estrada bail on recognizance.
(Tribune, 02/17/2006) Vidal made the announcement during a surprise visit to Estrada in the ousted leader’s resthouse in Tanay, Rizal, to personally check on the health of the jailed president and to congratulate him for his anti-hunger advocacy program, the “Rebolusyon Kontra Gutom.”
Estrada seemed overwhelmed by the archbishop’s show of support for his long quest for freedom but while he thanked Vidal for his concern, Estrada also informed Vidal he would be happier if the Filipino masses were to be set free from the bondage of poverty and would have the freedom to pursue the truth.
At the same time, he said he cannot accept freedom without a permanent closure to what he called as trumped-up plunder charges against him.
“Liberty would be meaningless if my family’s honor and good name are not restored,” Estrada told the cardinal.
He thanked his visitor for offering to be a guarantor in his bail bid as he pointed out that his petition for bail was with merit because, Estrada said, of the weak evidence presented against him by the 76 witnesses of the prosecution.
Estrada said he had suffered tremendous emotional pain in his more than five years of incarceration.
Vidal gave his blessings to Estrada at the end of his two-hour visit.
08 - Cardinal Vidal's birthday wish ....
Feb 12, 2006
08 - Cardinal Vidal's birthday wish: Attain peace, prosperity and live in unity
(news.balita.ph, February 08 2006) President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday attended the 75th birthday celebration of His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal in Wack-wack, Mandaluyong City.
In his birthday message during a breakfast which was also attended by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Benjamin Abalos and other government officials, he said, he only had one wish -- "that we can finally move on as a nation, attain peace and prosperity, live in unity and cooperation with each other."
"It is said that one is entitled to make a wish on one's birthday. Everybody seems to have the same wish, but without a corresponding concern for each other, we can only push each other aside and precipitate a stampede of catastrophic proportions," he said.
The Cardinal said that what happened last February 4 where some 74 people died and more than 300 others wounded in a stampede in Philsports Complex, formerly Ultra, "was a mirror-image of our struggle -- in the heart of every individual was the same dream, the same goal, but unregulated and unguided by due concern for others, we can only end up hurting ourselves."
"Our lifetime is not enough to make all dreams come true. But as long as we make one small step everyday to make personal sacrifices, our nation's destiny may yet be forged before our time is up," he added.
Cardinal Vidal thanked the President for gracing his birthday breakfast celebration. "I am very much honored by your (President Arroyo) presence and I thank you for your good wishes on my birthday.
Cardinal Vidal hopes to stay
Feb 10, 2006
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said yesterday he has already submitted his retirement paper to Pope Benedict XVI but stressed that, if given the chance by the Pope, he still wants to continue serving as Archbishop of Cebu.
(tempo.com.ph, February 07, 2006) CEBU CITY – Vidal, who celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday, said his tenure as Cebu Archbishop now lies in the hands of the Pope but expressed his willingness to continue his apostolic works.
“If the Holy Father will allow me to stay and if the Cebuanos would want me to stay, I will stay (as Archbishop of Cebu),” the Cardinal said, before he formally opened the The Code of Canon Law requires that Catholic bishops are required to tender their resignation on their 75th birthday.
Vidal will remain as the bishop of the ecclesiastical area until the Pope accepts his resignation.
A source inside the Cebu Archbishop’s Palace, however, revealed that there is a big possibility that the Pope will not accept Vidal's retirement “because he is still very strong and able”.
Should the Pope accept his resignation, Vidal said he will stay in Cebu and continue serving the Cebuanos that have become “so dear to me.”
During the early morning mass he officiated on the day of his birthday, the Cardinal expressed his gratitude to the people of Cebu for continuously supporting him in all his endeavors and thanked God “for giving me strength and good health to continue serving the people”.
“I hope the Lord will grant me some more years to serve the people,” he said, when asked about his birthday wish.
Among the special guests who joined Cardinal Vidal yesterday was Papal Nuncio in the Philippines Archbishop Antonio Franco and several other bishops.
Cardinal Vidal and Archbishop Franco led the formal opening and blessing of the room that contains the Cardinal’s memorabilia located at the second floor of the Archbishop’s residence.
Cardinal Vidal was ordained on March 17, 1956 and 15 years later he was elected bishop.
Vidal earned his degree in Theology from San Carlos Seminary in Makati City after graduating with a degree of bachelor of arts in philosophy from St. Francis de Sales seminary in Lipa City in Batangas.
He was ordained priest on Mar. 17, 1956 and appointed bishop 15 years later during the time of Archbishop Carmien Rocco, then Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.
Vidal has led the Cebu archdiocese since September 1982.
Before leading the Cebu archdiocese, Vidal was assigned to different dioceses and seminaries and handled key positions, among them being the rector of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel seminary in Lucena City, spiritual director of seminaries in Lucena diocese, coadjutor bishop of Malolos, and archbishop of Lipa City.
Vidal also became the president of CBCP from 1986 to 1987, and then chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on the Clergy in 1989. From 1985 to 1994, he was convener of the standing committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
It was during his term as Cebu Archbishop that Pope John Paul II elevated him to the College of Cardinals during the Consistory of May 25, 1985.
Stop vigilante killings, and keep families together
Jan 30, 2006
Family unity and a stop to vigilante killings were at the core of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s challenge during the 440th celebration of the feast of the Señor Sto. Niño yesterday.
(Sun Star, January 16, 2006) “Pit Senyor! Rejoice and be glad as Filipinos celebrate with great pride the 440th feast of the Sto. Niño. Labaw nga magsadya ang mga Sugbuanon kay ang Cebu mao ang (Cebu has more reason to celebrate as the) cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, which in turn is the cradle of Christianity in the Far East,” he greeted the thousands of devotees gathered at the Basilica del Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center.
“Magduol na unta ug dili na magkalagyoay, mag-hinigugmaay ug dili mag-away ang mga pamilya (May there be unity and love in the family),” he said.
Driving home his point, Cardinal Vidal congratulated 10-year-old Grant Dosdos, winner of the 26th Cebu Popular Music Festival held last Friday, for an uplifting rendition of the song “Tatay, Pauli Na (Father, Come Home).”
The song, a composition of Dennis Gregory Sugarol, talks about a child’s longing for his father who is working abroad.
Criticizing once again the continued killings of suspected criminals in Cebu, Vidal said, “It’s a big sin...pagpusil patay bisan kinsa pa ang nag-inspire (killing a person, regardless of who inspired it), even if it’s meant for peace and order,” he said.
After hearing about Cardinal Vidal’s message from reporters, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña admitted he may have inspired the vigilante killings in the city, but that it was unintentional.
“I think you inspire it not by intention. It’s on hindsight that somebody got inspired. So does it mean that Clint Eastwood also committed a sin when he inspired some people by doing all those action movies?” he said.
“I’m just being candid but there was no intention to inspire (the vigilantes) when I had all the policemen go on the offensive,” he added.
In December 2004, Osmeña announced he would give a cash reward to any individual who could “neutralize” anyone caught committing a crime.
The vigilante-style killings, which claimed 108 lives at the end of last year, began soon after the mayor’s pronouncement.
He later admitted that his statements may have inspired the executions of suspected criminals, but stressed that he does not support it. But Osmeña has also said in interviews with reporters that he wants criminals shot.
Osmeña said yesterday that it is upsetting that there seems to be the promotion of a culture where the policemen have to face a legal battle for doing their job, as in the case of PO1 Jerome Java, since this can result in the lack of professionalism among law enforcers.
He added that policemen should not be sanctioned for responding to alarms, especially if it’s a legitimate operation.
Thanks in part to police preparedness, the weeklong Sinulog celebrations were not marred by any major crimes and crowds felt safe enough to wander the streets.
As early as 3 a.m. yesterday, people were already inching their way inside the Sto. Niño Pilgrim Center for the 4 a.m. mass. The crowd swelled for Cardinal Vidal’s mass at 6 a.m. Some devotees had spent the night around the basilica.
The entrance gates of the basilica were shut thrice as the crowd became unruly, though. Devotees pushed and shoved to get in.
Yet there were festive notes too. Thousands of balloons were released as the song “Bato Balani” was sang, and people waved their hands in praise.
Before the end of the mass, Vidal gave devotees his apostolic blessing, as endorsed by Pope Benedict XVI, in honor of the cardinal’s jubilee celebrations in 2006.
“I hope and pray that our joy for the Sinulog celebration will continue throughout the days of 2006,” said Vidal.
The archbishop described yesterday’s gathering of devotees, who had to wake up extra early to hear the mass, as an “act of faith.”
If estrada is freed on recognizance: Vidal won't say no as Erap custodian
Jan 21, 2006
If the Sandiganbayan rules in favor of former president Joseph Estrada, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has no qualms about having his long-time friend under his custody.
(The Freeman, 01/18/2006) This does not however mean that Estrada will be flown to Cebu to be with the cardinal if the request of his lawyers that the former president be released on recognizance either to Vidal or to his wife Senator Luisa 'Loi' Ejercito (Estrada) will be granted.
What worries Vidal is that this might also set a precedent and other people who are in jail would also ask for the same privilege.
Msgr. Achilles Dakay, media liaison officer of the Cebu Archdiocese, yesterday said that while Vidal did not categorically affirm the matter, the cardinal reportedly did not have any objections to being chosen as one of Estrada's possible custodians.
However, Vidal wanted to clarify and correct interpretations that Estrada will literally have to be under his care should the former president be released on recognizance.
Estrada has argued at the anti-graft court that he be given the same legal option given to the four American servicemen accused of raping a Filipina in Subic.
"He did not show any objections...understandably, there are many misconceptions but definitely, Erap will not be brought to Cebu," Dakay said.
The Monsignor added that he believes the act is "morally right" for the sake of peacemaking.
The idea, Dakay said, is that Estrada will remain in Manila and Vidal would be responsible to produce him when directed by the court.
As of yesterday, Vidal reportedly has not communicated with the Estradas and reportedly has not been informed why Estrada chose him to be custodian.
But, Dakay said, friendship is the most obvious reason considering that Erap and Vidal have been friends for a long time.
"That's obvious...they've been open to each other," Dakay said.
In fact, Dakay added, the idea to have Erap placed under house arrest was reportedly that of Vidal. Dakay said Vidal also told him he had talked to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and requested to "put an end" to the controversies in government, among which are Estrada's continuing trial and the "Hello Garci" issue.
Putting an end, Dakay said, may not necessarily mean to curtail, but expedite the process of the trial against Estrada. However, Arroyo reportedly told Vidal she could not dip her finger into a matter that is with the judiciary. Then again, Vidal reportedly commented the president could still use her influence.
But, while the cardinal talked to Arroyo about something that may be considered political, Vidal ironically refused the invitation to be part of the Council of State, describing the council as too political.
As inscribed in the official website of the Philippine government, the Council of State is a forum for the exchange of ideas fostering of national cooperation, proposing meaningful reforms in government, and advising the president on matters of public policy.
Dakay said, the cardinal's supposed conversation with the president is not tantamount to the church dipping its finger into political affairs, because even priests can talk about issues in their sermons. Dakay said it could be that Vidal was asked for advice, something that is requested of people who are credible enough to give such.
Anniversary Special: Cardinal Vidal
Dec 20, 2005
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, archbishop of Cebu, wields tremendous influence on the Cebuano community. Next year, as he celebrates his 75th birthday, he will also celebrate his ordination as a priest 50 years ago, his episcopacy 35 years ago and his 25th year in Cebu.
(Sun Star, December 15, 2005) Vidal, 74, was born in Mogpog, Marinduque. He held various positions as parish priest and seminary professor in Lucena until he was ordained bishop on Nov. 30, 1971. In 1973, He was appointed archbishop of Lipa.
Vidal’s first assignment in Cebu was as coadjutor archbishop in 1981. On Sept. 18, 1982, he was installed Cebu archbishop, after the death of Julio Cardinal Rosales. As bishop, Vidal is a member of various agencies in the Roman Curia, an administrative body that assists the Pope in governing the Church.
He has been responsible for the success and growth of the Archdiocese in spreading the gospel, strengthening the church, and helping the poor and the sick.
The prelate is soft-spoken but outspoken. He has been a staunch critic of proposals to legalize gambling and to manage the growth of the population through sterilization and contraception. He has slammed corruption in government as well as proposals to carve three provinces out of Cebu. His repeated condemnation of summary killings in Cebu City has made it clear that he believes human life is precious and that the murders are legally and morally indefensible.
But Vidal has also been conciliatory, calling for an end to hostilities between two rival fraternities, as well as between Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Rep. Eduardo Gullas over ownership of part of the South Reclamation Project.
The cardinal was named an adopted son of Cebu City in 1985 through a resolution by the late Cebu City mayor Ramon Duterte.
He is best remembered for his peacekeeping, helping mediate and resolve conflicts among groups and individuals, as well as for his advocacies for public good and against social ills.
You have made a lot of achievements as leader of the Catholic flock. What do you pick as the most important to the community and most personally gratifying return for your work?
Two things: the formation of future priests and the pastoral formation of the community. I have been a seminary formator for 16 years, and I would say these have been some of the most fulfilling years of my priestly life.
The formation of young men for the priesthood is a very delicate and vital work in the Church. The future of the Church depends so much on the kind of young men who are aspiring to be priests. Everything, of course, depends on God’s grace, but one also needs to be open to the promptings of the Spirit to be able to discern carefully the vocation of a seminarian and the way he can be guided towards responding in a mature and responsible manner.
Likewise, the pastoral formation of the community is very important, and I consider it complementary to my work in the seminary.
My first hands-on experience as a parish priest was when I came to Cebu and I was assigned by the late Cardinal Rosales to be the parish priest of the Cathedral. In a way, it was my first parish experience. Guiding the people to realize their innate potential and directing it to the service of God and fellow human beings gave me a sense of how much the people truly thirst for the presence of the Lord.
In the seminary, you have young men trying to understand themselves and searching for answers to life’s greatest questions, but in the parish, you have men and women just trying to get by with their lives, struggling daily for survival. No life-changing questions, just the need to get by on a meager day’s income.
What do you see as the major strengths of Cebu as a community and Cebuanos as a people? What are the weaknesses, if any?
Cebuanos are hardworking, thrifty but also very devout. Their devotion to the Santo Niño is truly inspiring. Every time I join the procession of the Santo Niño, I always see in the eyes of the devotees that profound trust in the Lord who is tangible and visible to them in the image of the Santo Niño.
Cebu would have progressed more if its leaders had been more united and more coordinated in the effort to promote the common good. As it is, the success of Cebu has also engendered rivalries among its leaders.
If you are to make a wish list for Cebu and its leaders, what will top the list?
Unity and cooperation to attain the common good. If only all of them will focus on the common good, I think Cebu can achieve much more and its people can benefit fully from the fruits of development.
At times, you despair over the apparent apathy of people when they do not heed your call. For example, on the issue of summary killings, there has not been enough public outrage over the murders. Have people lost their value for human life? How can the community, including the Church, restore that value?
It makes me very sad because it is a sign of a split-level faith. On one hand, we profess to believe in God but on the other hand, we pay lip service to His commandments.
The apathy is rooted in the sinful attitude that as long as it does not disturb me, I really don’t care. This is the root, by the way, of all our problems—from corruption to crime, from poverty to moral degradation.
The loss of the sense of community can only lead to the disintegration of our identity as a people. People value human life only when it is their life or that of someone dear to them. Otherwise, they couldn’t care less.
The community must recover its collective conscience by recognizing that what happens to one also happens to all. The sense of community will make us aware of every member’s value within the community.
The Church has been trying to establish Basic Ecclesial Communities in the grassroots level in order to recover this sense of community among the people. Apparently, our efforts need to be refocused on the ideal of solidarity.
Your most memorable moments as a priest and as a bishop? What bring you most joy nowadays?
As a priest, after ordination, in my private mass, when I pronounced the words of “consecration.”
As a bishop, it has to be my experience during the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
What brings me most joy nowadays is the celebration of the Eucharist in the parishes, together with the parishioners and their parish priest.
How do you see the Catholic Church in the next decade? The Cebu community and its people?
I am not a prophet, but based on the present trend, I hope the Church will become more responsive to the needs of the poor and focus more on the formation of our people in the maturation of their faith.
Cebu will probably progress more, although I hope no one will be left out in this march towards the future and the environment will be properly protected. I pray that the people of Cebu will learn to live their faith more fully by being more responsive to the needs of the marginalized sectors of our society.
Don’t pre-judge Garcillano, appeals Cardinal Vidal
Dec 16, 2005
Former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano is staying at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City because of threats to his life, after he arrived in Manila from Maguindanao last Sunday to tell his side on the poll fraud allegations.
(Sun Star, December 06, 2005) Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal appealed to the public not to prejudge Garcillano and, instead, listen to what he would say.
“The search for truth could only be attained if we would permit Garcillano to speak out and not to jump to conclusions on allegations of cheating, lying and stealing that took place in last year’s elections,” Vidal said.
Garcillano is set to face a joint congressional committee hearing tomorrow on the controversial wiretapping scandal that involved him and President Arroyo.
Chief Supt. Eduardo Doromal, chief of the Police Security and Protection Office (Poso), said that 24 police officers are detailed to the headquarters of the National Capital Region Police Office where Garcillano is temporarily billeted.
He said security for Garcillano will stay as long as there is a threat to his safety.
The former poll official reportedly fled to Singapore on July 14 at the height of the scandal that rocked the Arroyo presidency.
The Singaporean foreign ministry confirmed Garcillano’s arrival in the city-state and his departure for London the next day.
Bunye too
In Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said they expect Garcillano to vindicate the President when he testifies before the House of Representatives.
“The people have been wanting to hear from him, so let us give him a chance to say his piece,” Bunye said.
For his part, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President is too busy to run the country to be distracted by the return of Garcillano to Manila and his impending appearance in Congress.
Ermita and Bunye reiterated that as far as Malacañang is concerned, the results of the 2004 elections were clear and that Arroyo won fair and square.
Bunye denied knowledge of the reported visit of Public Works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to Garcillano Sunday night.
He said if ever it were true Ebdane is already old enough to know what he is doing.
Meanwhile, Vidal said he could not be certain if Garcillano would tell the whole truth when he testifies in Congress.
Asked if Garcillano’s surfacing would make the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reconsider its July 10 pastoral statement on the country’s political crisis, he said it would still depend on what he would have to say.
The CBCP had spurned calls for the resignation of Arroyo and instead called for independent investigations of the charges made against her.
Cardinal Vidal saddened by Garci testimony
Dec 16, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal preferred to hear the whole truth from former election official Virgilio Garcillano, who has been accused of rigging last year’s presidential polls.
(Sun Star, December 10, 2005) But the cardinal said he only heard half-truths when Garcillano appeared before the joint congressional committee hearing last Wednesday.
“There is so much courage needed in decision-making. For example, to tell the truth because even under oath and in the view of cameras half-truths were told and retold,” he said in his homily during the mass and the consecration of the new Divine Word Chapel of the University of San Carlos north campus.
“Half-truth is nothing more than a big lie,” the cardinal said. He reminded people of the value of honesty, saying only a courageous person tells the truth.
Garcillano told the House inquiry that he did not help Arroyo secure the presidency during the 2004 elections and that they talked only once on the phone, last May 24, 2004.
Garcillano did not answer questions on whether it was he who was heard in wiretapped conversations talking to a woman who sounded like the President.
Although Arroyo had apologized last July for calling an election official, she did not name that official.
During the congressional hearing on the “Hello Garci” tapes, Garcillano named some senators and congressmen who called him up or saw him during last year’s election, including Cebu Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez.
Like Cardinal Vidal, Martinez (4th district) also wants to know the truth of what transpired during the elections. She has denied calling Garcillano because she had no reason to do so because the official was assigned in Luzon.
“What kind of politics are we getting into? What kind of politicians are we producing? Always what it expedient, always what is convenient, always what is financially rewarding. Our kind of politics has changed,” Martinez said during a forum yesterday.
She hopes that with the protest filed by defeated vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda, the truth about the elections in Cebu will come out.
Martinez, a guest of the Kapihan sa PIA with Bert Emphasis, said she has lost faith in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) because of the massive cheating in Cebu.
She reiterated that they were cheated in Cebu and that it was Winston Garcia, brother of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who talked to Garcillano to declare Gwendolyn the winner.
Martinez’s husband, former congressman Celestino Martinez Jr., ran against Gwendolyn.
“In the first place, we do not even know Garcillano personally. She was the one calling Garcillano so she knew Garcillano personally. But she herself is not sure of that (Winston talking to Garcillano). She was the one calling Garcillano during the election period and this was admitted by no less than her husband,” said Capitol consultant on information, organization and management Pablo John Garcia, Gwendolyn’s brother.
Martinez yesterday denied again that she called Garcillano but accused the poll official of manipulating the elections in Cebu.
She said Garcillano was the one who signed the order to proclaim Gwendolyn.
But Provincial Election Officer Edwin Cadungog had shown the Comelec en banc order dated June 29 without Garcillano’s signature.
Cardinal opens Holy Door to start Holy Year of Grace
Dec 15, 2005
The Archdiocese of Cebu has declared the year 2006 as Holy Year of Grace.
(Sun Star, December 12, 2005) Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal made the ceremonial declaration last Nov. 30 with the opening of the Holy Door at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, five years after it was first opened to the public during the Great Jubilee Year 2000 celebration.
The Holy Door was designed similar to that in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City to symbolize “Jesus Christ as the Way, Truth and Life.”
Carvings
The carvings on the Holy Door tell of the history of salvation, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, from the time man first sinned to the promise of redemption, Christ's birth, resurrection and the promise of the Second Coming.
The Vatican approved a letter from Bishop Julito Cortes to open the Holy Door as part of the celebration of Vidal’s jubilee years.
Cortes is the chairman of the yearlong celebration.
The archdiocese, in its official publication Bag-ong Lungsoranon, said the declaration of the Holy Year of Grace and the opening of the Holy Door stressed the spiritual aspect of the celebration.
Graces
The archdiocese officially opened the celebration last Nov. 29 at the Grand Convention Center. Vidal hopes all the faithful will receive graces as he celebrates the significant events of his life.
Vidal also asked the organizers to avoid extravagant celebrations and expenses. Vidal next year will mark his 75th birthday, his ordination as a priest 50 years ago, his episcopacy 35 years ago and his 25th year in Cebu, with the theme “Celebrating a year of jubilees: Life, Journey, Stewardship.”
Grand opening provokes reminder from cardinal
Dec 04, 2005
The opening extravaganza of the Southeast Asian Games last Friday night failed to impress Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. He was thinking of feeding poor children and the homeless instead.
(Sun Star, November 27, 2005) Archdiocesan media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay said the cardinal believes the millions spent on the welcome ceremony for the athletes and officials from the 11 member-countries should have been used for a feeding program.
“They should have spent as much money feeding the children and the people on the streets,” Dakay told reporters.
The Cebu City Government reportedly allocated more than P3 million for the Cebu-SEA Games Organizing Committee (Cebu-Soc), and over P300,000 was spent for the fireworks that capped the event at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The cardinal has always been vocal about poverty and oppression in his homilies. He has a feeding program every Sunday at the Sacred Heart Church.
Every Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., poor children and adults line up in a tent outside the church, where they are given food. This has been ongoing for five years now.
About 500 to 1,000 people every Sunday benefit from the feeding program, Dakay said.
“We feed, we don’t ask questions,” Dakay said of the program that was inspired by Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
“I don’t think those who are not poor would pretend to be poor just to get free food. I also don’t think people pretend to be hungry just to eat,” Dakay joked when asked if the church is wary that there will be “gatecrashers” in the feeding program.
Those who have become regulars at the feeding program were given T-shirts with the words “alagad nga kabus” (poor servant) written on the back. Below it is a passage from Matthew 25: “I was hungry and you fed me.”
Dakay said the cardinal had this idea back when he was still the parish priest of the Metropolitan Cebu Cathedral. Outside the church, Vidal would notice the children scrambling for food come lunchtime.
Other feeding programs are also organized by different parishes within the week, but Sacred Heart Church has been consistently doing it for five years.
Like business, cardinal wary about legislated pay increase
Nov 07, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal sides with business in opposing a legislated wage, saying that the poor will ultimately be at the losing end.
(Sun Star, November 06, 2005) But the government must do more to ease the burden on workers and consumers as a result of the Reformed Value-Added Tax, the cardinal said yesterday.
President Arroyo has asked Congress to pass a “reasonable” legislated wage, but like most business leaders in Cebu, the cardinal is against the move.
“Do you think everybody can follow that? I am not in favor (legislated wage increase) because I know that there will be small-scale businesses that will not be able to sustain it,” Vidal told Sun.Star Cebu.
The cardinal, who has been focusing the archdiocese’s efforts in the fight against poverty, believes the poor will become more oppressed with this measure.
Permanent
“If it is by legislation, then it is permanent. When it will be implemented, some businesses will just close down, go bankrupt, or will cause the dismissal of some employees,” he said.
Instead, the cardinal suggested that government leaders focus on other measures to help workers.
“I think the representatives of the government should come together and talk about other possibilities—about what else can be done,” Vidal said.
The National Economic and Development Authority and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have also warned against a legislated wage, as this will raise prices of goods and services and push inflation up.
Inflation as of October was steady at seven percent, but this is still much higher than the government’s full-year target of five to six percent.
Domino effect
Two bills are pending in the House of Representatives seeking P125-across-the-board wage increase.
Earlier, the National Statistical Coordination Board computed that a P125 increase in minimum wage will translate to a 15.5 percent increase in total cost of production.
It also said the prices of goods and services are expected to go up by 15.1 percent.
The Department of Finance has projected that the RVAT will have a minimal effect on food, but since petroleum products are now covered by the new tax, prices of consumer goods are expected to go up.
The Arroyo administration projected that additional revenues from new VAT law will reduce the budget deficit and provide resources for additional spending.
The RVAT Law is computed to bring in P4 to P5 billion in revenues this year and up to P77.6 billion revenues in 2006.
Keep Mass out of protests
Nov 06, 2005
Rallies are to street, as Masses are to church. Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal wants to make this distinction clear to those who organize protests against the government.
(sunstar.com, October 30, 2005) CEBU CITY -- "If possible, the Mass must be separate. If they began with a Mass in the church, it's okay, but not in the streets," he said.
"Because precisely, the Mass is the highest symbol of unity, it must not be used as a way of putting persons down," the cardinal said Saturday.
He expressed his dismay over "too much politicking" while he officiated the ordination to the deaconate of Bro. Luis Jose Tamayo Oriol at the Redemptorist Church Saturday afternoon.
Cardinal Vidal said church ceremonies are sacred and making the Mass "an instrument" for political action was improper and against the teachings of God.
The cardinal said he would not allow such prayer rallies in the Cebu Archdiocese in future.
Vidal, in an earlier interview, singled out the parish priest of St. Michael's Church, beside Malacañang, which hosted a prayer service at an opposition rally last Monday calling for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), at the height of the scandal over allegations the President cheated in last year's elections, had advised Arroyo to examine her conscience, form a truth commission and even consider resigning if evidence warrants it.
Other senior church leaders have spoken out in favor of such rallies against the Arroyo administration.
Truth-seeking
Manila Bishop Tedoro Bacani earlier said the rallies meant clergy could explain the political situation to their flocks.
"Where would the people seek the truth when they can no longer talk?" Bacani said, referring to Arroyo's "no permit, no rally policy" that has led to violent confrontations between riot police and street protesters.
Outspoken bishops, including the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, played a key role in sparking the street protests that turned into general uprisings, ousting then presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001, respectively.
Cardinal Vidal does not prohibit priests from joining rallies, but he advised them not to go overboard as to force law enforcers to disperse them through water cannons and tear gas.
Poverty
Three bishops, former vice president Teofisto Guingona and Senator Jamby Madrigal were among those who were hosed down in an earlier protest in Manila, when they tried to force their way to Mendiola Bridge, which Malacañang had declared a "no rally zone."
"The CBCP recognizes the more important and urgent problem in the country today is grinding poverty caused by excessive politicking," said Vidal.
Since deacons are not political persons, they should share as much service to the poor who have been oppressed even more with the current crisis in the country, he said in his homily.
A deacon is a cleric whose principal function is to act as close assistant to the celebrant during mass and other church services.
Other than assisting the main celebrant, the cardinal also described the deacon's job as "service, especially for charity in favor of the poor."
"In any language, a deacon is a servant. He is tasked to serve and give an example of service, with emphasis on the task of dedicating themselves to various mixtures of charities," Vidal said.
Earlier Saturday, Cardinal Vidal also officiated a mass at San Narciso, Consolacion, which celebrated its annual fiesta yesterday.
Cardinal Vidal warns churches on using mass for protest
Oct 30, 2005
The most senior Catholic in the Philippines criticized Friday church officials for taking part in an intense campaign to force President Arroyo to resign for alleged election fraud.
(abs-cbnnews.com, October 29, 2005) Cardinal Ricardo Vidal singled out the parish priest of San Miguel Church, alongside the Malacañan presidential palace, which hosted a prayer service at an opposition rally on Monday calling for Arroyo's resignation.
"There has to be great respect for the masses. It should not be used just for any purpose," Vidal, the archbishop of Cebu, told reporters.
The leadership of the country's dominant church, has, like the Philippines, been bitterly divided over allegations that Arroyo cheated her way to victory in last year's elections.
In early September the House of Representatives threw out an impeachment complaint against her, triggering angry street protests.
Vidal said church ceremonies were sacred and making mass "an instrument" for political action was improper and against the teachings of God.
The cardinal said he would not allow such prayer rallies in the Cebu archdiocese in future.
Other senior church leaders have spoken out in favor of such rallies.
Manila Bishop Teodoro Bacani said on Wednesday the rallies meant clergy could explain the political situation to their flocks.
"Where would the people seek the truth when they can no longer talk," Bacani said, referring to Arroyo's "no permit, no rally policy" that has led to violent confrontations between riot police and street protesters.
Church leaders wield great influence in this largely-Roman Catholic nation. Outspoken bishops played a key role in sparking the street protests that turned into general uprisings, ousting then-presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001 respectively.
Cardinal Vidal praises the government for natural family planning
Oct 24, 2005
President Arroyo has announced the use of UN funds for the adoption of a natural family planning policy. Cardinal Vidal: “These measures protect society and the family”.
Manila (AsiaNews, 12 October, 2005) – Cardinal Ricardo Vidal has praised a government decision to use United Nations funds to strengthen health projects “which teach couples how to use the ovulation method”.
This method allows for the use of natural family planning – without the use of artificial contraceptives – and it was developed by the World Health Organisation.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced the imminent adoption of this method in the Philippines during a recent meeting of leaders of the Interfaith Dialogue and Conference for Peace, and she reiterated it at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Cardinal appreciated the stand taken by Arroyo, “courageous in deciding the new family planning policy”, and he invited all those who back other methods – in violation of religious precepts – to “declare a multi-partisan moratorium on all legislative action to allow all the time to assess these policies, genuinely intended to protect Filipino women, the family and society, at large."
Cardinal Vidal praises the government for natural family planning
Oct 24, 2005
President Arroyo has announced the use of UN funds for the adoption of a natural family planning policy. Cardinal Vidal: “These measures protect society and the family”.
Manila (AsiaNews, 12 October, 2005) – Cardinal Ricardo Vidal has praised a government decision to use United Nations funds to strengthen health projects “which teach couples how to use the ovulation method”.
This method allows for the use of natural family planning – without the use of artificial contraceptives – and it was developed by the World Health Organisation.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced the imminent adoption of this method in the Philippines during a recent meeting of leaders of the Interfaith Dialogue and Conference for Peace, and she reiterated it at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Cardinal appreciated the stand taken by Arroyo, “courageous in deciding the new family planning policy”, and he invited all those who back other methods – in violation of religious precepts – to “declare a multi-partisan moratorium on all legislative action to allow all the time to assess these policies, genuinely intended to protect Filipino women, the family and society, at large."
Vidal has copies of election returns
Sept 25, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday confirmed that he kept the sixth copy of all election returns that a Church-based poll watch group had entrusted to him for safekeeping.
(The Freeman 08/23/2005) This is the first time Vidal made public the whereabouts of the copies of the ERs given to the Cebu Citizens Involvement Maturation and Peoples Empowerment for Liberation, or C-CIMPEL, a local affiliate of the National Movement for Free Elections.
Vidal said these copies of election documents have been kept in at least 32 large boxes at the Archbishop's Palace but said he could not open them at this time.
"I have so many election returns from the administration and the opposition but I have not checked everything yet. I can't open them because I am not allowed to except when there is a court order," Vidal said.
Vidal made the statement on C-CIMPEL's copies in the wake of renewed allegations that massive electoral cheating were committed in Cebu to ensure President Gloria Arroyo's victory for a full term as the country's president.
Archdiocese media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay disclosed earlier that Vidal had also some copies of the ER's that may be sources for verification if cheating was actually committed in Cebu.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña told the media earlier this month that one of the ways to solve the issue on electoral fraud is for the Cardinal and C-CIMPEL to break their silence because they made a thorough count of the ERs with priests and nuns deployed as poll watchers.
Sometime last June, Vidal had been quoted in news reports that C-CIMPEL and its watchers "did not find any basis for the claim of massive fraud", and if ever there was then "it must have been done in a subtle way."
But Vidal and C-CIMPEL had since then decided not to issue anymore statements on the issue of electoral fraud, saying those things should not be dignified as "it will only create more confusion."
Dakay, for his part, recently said Cebuanos did not cheat in the polls but were probably "the ones being cheated." He however wished that more and more evidences would be found to bring out the truth on the matter.
Vidal doesn’t encourage rallies, asks people to pray
Sept 25, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said yesterday he will not lead a prayer rally in Cebu nor encourage street rallies even as the opposition congressmen fail to get the sufficient number to pursue the impeachment case against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
(The Manila Bulletin Online, September 10 2005) CEBU CITY — Interviewed at the Cardinal’s Palace here, Vidal said the right thing to do now is "to pray, as I do not encourage rallies to take place." However,he said that he respects the decision of former President Corazon Aquino to lead a "people’s march" at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.
Vidal said it would have been better if the impeachment proceedings pushed through because it would have been a venue for the President to clear her name and answer the allegations hurled against her administration.
Instead of joining rallies and street protests, Vidal urged the public to pray for the country.
"I am afraid of what will happen next," Vidal said after the congressmen voted for the justice committee’s report that junked the impeachment case against President Arroyo.
Vidal had earlier said that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has opted to wait for the results of the impeachment proceedings at the House, because they do not want to preempt anything.
Vidal, a senior adviser of the CBCP, is concerned that if the Church issues an official statement soon, it might create chaos.
The CBCP came out last July with a statement asking President Arroyo to "look deep in her heart" so she can come up with a good decision. They also urged her to also face the impeachment proceedings.
The prelate said, however, he is hoping that CBCP will call for a meeting this week after the plenary session because "there is a need for the people to know the truth."
‘Share truth with the needy’
Sept 25, 2005
Telling the truth to those who need it most is what media practitioners should aspire to do nowadays, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said.
(Sun Star, September 19, 2005) In a homily yesterday, Vidal challenged media workers to be like St. Matthew, the only one among the Gospel writers who “reported” the Parable of the Merciful Landowner and “reported it faithfully, as he heard it, for us to reflect on.”
Vidal officiated yesterday’s mass to begin the celebration of the 11th Cebu Press Freedom Week. The activity began with a fun walk from the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds to the University of the Visayas gym, where the mass and opening program followed.
The parable, which talks about a landowner who gave workers a full day’s wage, though they only worked part of the day in his vineyard, “shows an act of mercy that went beyond the call of justice.”
“The landowner gave to those who was truly in need, free from any outside pressure, free to do what he wished to help out of mercy,” said the cardinal.
In the same manner, there is more to just telling the truth, the cardinal said; media practitioners should be able to share it with “those who need it the most.”
“Kinsa man gyud ang unahon ug palabihon nato nga mahatagan sa kamatuoran? Daghan sila...sila nga gigutom, giuhaw, naghubo, dumuduong, nagmasakiton, gi-priso...ug the marginalized (Who deserve to know the truth most? There are many of them-those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, prisoners),” the prelate said in his homily.
He further said that sharing the truth with “those who need it the most” should be everyone’s responsibility, given the equipment and “instruments” the media now have.
“We should move forward and address the more important and urgent problem of grinding poverty of our people,” Cardinal Vidal said, alluding to media’s recent preoccupation with political controversies.
No blame
Meanwhile, Vidal also clarified he did not accuse the media of dividing the bishops as earlier reported in a national newspaper last week.
Vidal said he only asked those who interviewed him if they were dividing the bishops.
“I was not affirming that it was the media who divided us. They just perceived my question as such,” Vidal said.
Vidal granted the interview at the height of allegations that some bishops have been receiving donations from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. These donations, Vidal had said, have been used to help the poor.
Activities
After the mass, various activities aimed at promoting camaraderie among media practitioners were held.
Major and minor prizes were given away, aside from various door prizes that were given to nearly everyone who attended.
Between the raffling of prizes, two special awards were handed out - Gayest of the Press and Miss Press Freedom.
Broadcaster Bobby Inoferio of radio dyLA hosted the Gayest of the Press, which had two participants from the broadcast industry and two from print.
Ryan Borinaga of The Freeman went home with the crown and P10,000 worth of prizes. Sun.Star Cebu’s Oscar Pineda was second runner-up.
Jude Bacalso of Sun.Star Cebu then took over Inoferio’s stint and ushered in the four candidates for Miss Press Freedom.
Tanya Chica of Cebu Daily News was adjudged the winner, with Charmaine Rodriguez of Sun.Star Cebu being named first runner-up.
The Freeman also won the liveliest group and best in costume awards.
Sun.Star Cebu finished second in both categories, aside from winning the biggest delegation award.
'Church never asked for donations' Vidal asks public: Drop Pagcor issue
Sept 23, 2005
Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday declared that the Catholic Church "never asked for donations of any kind" but were merely "requested to distribute these to various charitable institutions." Vidal appealed to the public to drop instead the issue of these donations from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation because the money just passed through the Church's hands and immediately went to the intended beneficiaries.
(The Freeman 09/11/2005) Backing away from his earlier promise to divulge the list of beneficiaries, Vidal yesterday said he would not do so anymore because he wanted to put the issue to rest and stop fueling the controversy that only tended to divide the Church and torment the minds of the public.
Apparently fed up with prejudicial issues against him and the Church, Vidal told reporters that yesterday's interview would be the last time he will talk on the controversy over the donations that he deemed were things of the past and should be forgotten.
Since the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issued early last year a statement against using gambling money to finance charitable works, the Church stopped from being the conduit of Pagcor, said outgoing CBCP president, Davao archbishop Fernando Capalla.
Vidal, Capalla and archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando, Pampanga were three top Church officials who were put under fire recently for being in the 2003 list of alleged recipients of Pagcor money. Vidal earlier clarified that the money immediately went to the poor and the needy. "They can tell many things about me but please do not criticize the poor," he said adding that he is willing to be blamed and criticized for accepting donations in behalf of the recipients in Church charities.
Archdiocesan finance officer Rev. Fr. Joseph Tan also clarified that all donations that have been coursed through the Cebu Archdiocese were accounted for and donors were in turn issued receipts. One of those that received Pagcor money was the Cardinal Rosales Memorial Hospital in Dalaguete town, an establishment that the Archdiocese also subsidizes, said Tan.
Tan said that, if requested, he can produce the list of beneficiaries and the exact amount given but will take him time to do it because he has to check his records with the cashier who actually received the donations and issued the receipts. He also clarified that every donation getting through the Archdiocese always bears the cardinal's name because he is its "corporate soul" or the head.
Capalla, for his part, said he is willing to open the list of beneficiaries of Pagcor donations for the sake of transparency and to clear out the issue hurled against them, even if the Church had already stopped from being Pagcor's conduits of its charitable works.
"There are still who have asked for my help but I can only recommend them to Pagcor because we have stopped being conduits. We were clear on the teachings of the church that gambling is not per se an injustice but only if it deprives the poor of hard-earned money and if it promotes addiction," Capalla said. Archbishop Oscar Cruz, as quoted in a national paper, had denounced receiving donations from the state-operated Pagcor arguing that "the end does not justify the means" and that gambling money could not be made clean if given to the poor.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the newly elected CBCP president, was also quoted as frowning against receiving Pagcor money as this might be misconstrued as accepting gambling as a good means to help the indigents.
Capalla has admitted that the issue as reported in newspapers somewhat affected the integrity of the Catholic Church but he questioned its timing. "Why not after our 2004 statement? Why is it only now? There might be some motives of some people in or out of power," he said apparently referring to the current political upheaval viz-a-viz the Church involvement.
Bolder attack from cardinal on split Cebu plan
Sept 03, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is set to issue a more informative and bolder pastoral letter against the plan to divide Cebu into separate provinces.
(Sun Star, August 16, 2005) CEBU CITY -- "It is to prepare our people if a plebiscite is to be made on the proposal," Cebu Archdiocesan media liaison officer Monsignor Achilles Dakay said in a phone interview Monday night.
Despite the insistence of Representative Simeon Kintanar (2nd district), Antonio Yapha Jr. (3rd district) and Clavel Martinez (4th district) that their move is beneficial to their constituents, Vidal has refused to support them and, instead, described their move as "evil."
Dakay also said the opposition of the parishioners to the proposal is "overwhelming" as shown in surveys in parishes that were done after masses.
The first public hearing on the bills was held last week in Manila.
Except for creating a technical working committee to study the bills to create Cebu del Norte, Occidental Cebu and Cebu del Sur, not much was discussed because the hearing was adjourned earlier than expected.
Representatives Antonio Cuenco, Raul del Mar, Eduardo Gullas and Ramon "Red" Durano VI are still working on bringing the House committee on local government hearing to Cebu.
House committee chairman Emilio Macias has already ruled against holding a public hearing here, as their task is only to make sure that the proponents meet the legal requirements of creating of new provinces.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, is doubtful Congress can handle a parliamentary form of government when it won't even allow public hearings on the split-Cebu bills to be held here.
Legislators are also discussing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's proposal to change the presidential form of government through a constituent assembly.
In a news conference Monday, the mayor said he suspects House Speaker Jose de Venecia may be helping in preventing the hearings from being held in Cebu.
"They're not even upholding the principle of democracy, which is participation by the people. And this is the same Congress that wants to have a parliamentary government? Forget it," Osmeña said.
How Congress is dealing with the bills that seek to divide Cebu into four provinces shows the selfish agenda of Congress in pushing for Charter Change, he said.
"This is my way of proving that we should not give them so much power because they will chop us up without blinking an eye. They don't care. In Congress, it's a buddy-buddy system, they just take care of one another," said the mayor.
"Outside of supporting GMA (President Arroyo), I'm anti-Lakas because of their crazy agenda, because of de Venecia and (Senate President Franklin) Drilon," he added.
Cardinal Vidal urges faithful to pray and seek divine intervention vs dengue
Aug 21, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, apparently alarmed by the rising cases of dengue, has called on the faithful to pray and seek divine intervention against the deadly, mosquitoborne disease.
(The Manila Bulletin, August 12, 2005) CEBU CITY — Archdiocesan spokesman Monsignor Achilles Dakay said the prelate, noting the dengue alarm, issued a circular that orders all parishes to pray for divine action against the disease.
He confirmed that Vidal had called for penitential processions and prayers to be offered to combat the spread of dengue after he celebrated a pontifical mass at the Poor Clares monastery in Tayud, Liloan.
The last time the archdiocese called for prayers against a disease was a couple of years back when the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) scare hit the country.
The tradition of the mandatory prayer dates back to the 17th century when the spread of a cholera epidemic was stopped as Cebuanos paraded and prayed before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The appeal for prayer against dengue by Cardinal Vidal came as the number of dengue cases in the country reaches an alarming level.
In Cebu City alone, at least 546 people have been downed by dengue with at least 16 lives claimed.
But the Region 7 director of the Department of Health (DoH) clarified yesterday that there is still no dengue outbreak in any part of Central Visayas despite the increase in the number of people affected.
During a meeting with provincial and city health officers, Regional Health Director Susana Madarieta reported that the DoH had found out that there is really an increase in dengue cases but said that it is a usual occurrence especially during the rainy season.
Despite this statement, the Cebu City council unanimously approved a resolution declaring the entire city under the state-of-calamity due to the rising number of children and individuals affected by the mosquito-borne disease.
The resolution, authored by Councilors Gerardo Carillo and Christopher Alix, states "a declaration is deemed to be necessary for the release of calamity funds to augment local funds that will be used for the purchase of the necessary equipment and supplies as well as to fund for the preventive efforts the city needs to undertake."
The DoH advised health workers nationwide to be prepared for a possible dengue outbreak, noting that dengue cases in the past six months have rapidly increased.
Records at the National Epidemiology Center show that there are at least 5,396 dengue cases and 77 deaths in the country from January to July this year.
This represents a 41 percent increase from the 3,840 cases recorded for the same period last year.
Cardinal undergoes cataract operation
Aug 06, 2005
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal flew to Manila early this week to undergo a cataract operation.
(sunstar.com, July 30, 2005) Because of the recent operation, the prelate was advised by his surgeon to rest and not to travel, said Cebu Archdiocesan media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay yesterday.
Vidal is expected to return to Cebu City next week, Dakay told Sun.Star Cebu.
The prelate was scheduled to speak yesterday before 27 selected policemen who graduated from a one-month PNP values and leadership training course at Gochan Hall in the Archbishop Compound on D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.
The archdiocese sent Fr. Carmelo Diola to deliver the inspirational talk during the closing ceremony yesterday noon.
Fr. Diola challenged the policemen to remain faithful to their commitment to service, stressing that social transformation starts with the transformation of one’s heart.
The month-long training course was initiated to allow policemen to look deeply into themselves, assess their performances, and renew and enrich their faith in God, said Chief Supt. Samson R. Tucay, officer-in-charge of the PNP values and leadership school.
The participants of the training are expected to echo what they learned to their comrades.
Cebu archbishop relates experiences at Vatican, conclave
May 15, 2005
"Tell the Filipinos, my greetings to all of them, and my blessings to all, and please tell them also to pray for me."
(Manila Bulletin, 10-May-2005) This was the message of Pope Benedict XVI to Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal before the Cardinal left for Cebu after nearly a month in the Vatican where he attended the funeral rites for the late Pope John Paul II and later the conclave that resulted in the election of the new pope.
"I will share with you the apostolic blessing that has been gifted by the pope to all Filipinos. You are the first group to receive this blessing," the Cardinal told thousands of parishioners, led by Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, Monsignor Adelito Abella, and pilgrims who gathered at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph for last Sunday’s pontifical fiesta mass.
Fresh from the papal conclave in the Vatican, Cardinal Vidal said he would refuse any offer to work at the Roman curia, the church’s equivalent of a government’s Cabinet.
Vidal, reacting to speculations that he will be joining the Vatican when he retires, said: "I am already old. I am reaching my retirement. I will retire next year. I am already tired."
Church law mandates retirement for cardinals when they turn 75. Vidal will reach retirement age on Feb. 6, 2006, less than nine months from today. But the Cardinal said he would rather stay in Cebu with the Cebuanos than work in the Vatican.
The archbishop, who has been a cardinal for about two decades now, told reporters last Sunday about his experiences at the Vatican conclave.
"It was a very, very extraordinary experience. Unrepeatable. Because we don’t know when will be the next conclave," he said.
"I’m already 75, and in five years I will be 80. This means I will not be able to enter anymore, according to the present disposition of the Church. So this might be my first and last."
Vidal also said: "But it was a very, very humbling and, at the same time, a joyful experience. I experienced for the first time the influence of the Holy Spirit. How can you imagine 115 electors to converge at once to choose one person in a short time?"
The prelate’s seniority won him front row position at the funeral of the late pope and the investiture mass for Pope Benedict XVI.
“Benedetto XVI è un uomo umile, un padre, che sa ascoltare ed è una guida sicura”
Apr 26, 2005
“Siamo molto felici per il nostro nuovo Santo Padre. Abbiamo un nuovo leader e siamo sicuri che sarà la persona giusta per guidare la Chiesa. Speriamo che ci guidi nel nostro viaggio in questo mondo, che sappia custodire il deposito della fede e condurci su sentieri dove il Signore vorrà portarci”. Lo ha detto all’Agenzia Fides il Cardinale Ricardo Vidal a Fides, Arcivescovo di Cebu.
Città del Vaticano (Agenzia Fides, 23/4/2005) - L’Arcivescovo nota: “Benedetto XVI è una persona molto umile, e anche la definizione che ha dato di sé (“lavoratore della vigna del Signore”) lo dimostra: ed egli lo pensa veramente. E’ un teologo di altissimo spessore ma non si è mai rivolto a noi altri Cardinali con superbia. Questo ci ha molto colpito. E’ una persona buona, che ha dato attenzione e cura a ciascuno di noi e ha dimostrato anche grande capacità di ascolto, nelle riunioni che abbiamo avuto prima del Conclave. D’altro canto - continua il Porporato - nei suoi discorsi ha sempre mostrato chiarezza di idee e sicurezza sulla direzione che dove prendere la Chiesa. Credo che queste qualità abbiano convinto i cardinali a sceglierlo”.
“Siamo certi anche che aiuterà la Chiesa nelle Filippine, che in questo momento fronteggia la questione della pacificazione del paese (vi sono ancora tensioni nel rapporto fra il governo e i ribelli islamici del Sud) e una serie di proposte di legge che sono all’esame del Congresso, contrarie alla vita e alla famiglia. Preghiamo e speriamo che queste leggi non vengano approvate”.
I migranti, la famiglia, la pace
Apr 26, 2005
Il Cardinale Ricardo J. Vidal, Arcivescovo di Cebu (Filippine) , è nato a Mogpoc il 6 febbraio 1931, è stato ordinato sacerdote nel 1956, vescovo nel 1971. Arcivescovo di Lipa nel 1973 è stato creato cardinale del titolo dei Ss. Pietro e Paolo a via Ostiense nel 1985. E’ stato anche presidente della Commissione episcopale per le vocazioni e presidente della Conferenza episcopale delle Filippine dal 1985 al 1987.
Città del Vaticano (AsiaNews, 16 Aprile 2005) - Nel 1986 si impegna per dedicare la prima domenica di Quaresima ai lavoratori costretti a partire, i migranti. Il porporato spinge con il governo “per riconoscere i sacrifici di tutti coloro che sono dovuti andare via dalle loro case per migliorare la vita di chi è rimasto”. Nel 2001, durante la domenica di Quaresima per i migranti, il cardinale dice, davanti a 1500 lavoratori: “Non dobbiamo dimenticare che Dio ha dei piani per la nostra vita. Noi possiamo apparire troppo presi dal denaro per dimenticarlo, ma non dobbiamo scordare che questo può distruggere il valore della famiglia, che deve essere alla base dei nostri sforzi”.
La stampa filippina, nel 1991, lo nomina “uomo di pace” del Paese, per i suoi interventi in favore della pace e dell’ordine pubblico. Il Sun Star Daily, quotidiano nazionale che gli assegna il premio, scrive di lui: “Nel suo modo di fare quieto, che solo lui riesce ad avere, il cardinale ha aiutato in maniera veramente valida le elezioni democratiche, gli affari ed i settori civili e militari a vivere in pace fra loro”. Il porporato è intervenuto in prima persona per prevenire un sanguinoso scontro fra le forze armate e i ribelli filo-Marcos durante il tentato colpo di Stato del 1989, oltre ad aver sventato le occupazioni violente della base aerea militare dell’isola Matan, a nord est delle Filippine.
È membro delle Congregazioni per l’evangelizzazione dei popoli e per l’educazione cattolica. È pure membro dei Pontifici consigli per gli operatori sanitari e per la famiglia.
Con una popolazione di 86 milioni di abitanti, le Filippine sono il paese col maggior numero di cattolici in Asia, con oltre 71 milioni di fedeli.
« Nous sommes très heureux »
Apr 26, 2005
Déclaration à l’agence Fides du Cardinal Ricardo Vidal Archevêque de Cebu : « Benoît XVI est un homme humble, un père, qui sait écouter, et qui est un guide sûr »
Rome (Agence Fides, 23 avril 2005) - « Nous sommes très heureux pour notre nouveau Saint-Père. Nous avons un nouveau dirigeant, et nous sommes sûrs qu’il sera la personne juste pour guider l’Eglise. Nous espérons qu’il nous guidera dans notre voyage en ce monde, qu’il saura conserver le dépôt de la foi, et nous conduire sur les entiers où le Seigneur voudra nous conduire », a déclaré à l’agence Fides le Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Archevêque de Cebu.
« Benoît XVI est une personne très humble, et la définition qu’il a donnée de lui-même (‘travailleur dans la vigne du Seigneur’) le montre : et il le pense vraiment. C’est un théologien d’un niveau très élevé, mais il ne s’est jamais adressé à nous autres Cardinaux avec orgueil. Ceci nous a beaucoup frappé. C’est une personne bonne qui a fait attention et s’est occupé de chacun d’entre nous, et il a démontré aussi sa grande capacité d’écoute, dans les réunions que nous avons eues avant le Conclave. D’autre part, dans ses discours, il a toujours fait preuve de clarté et d’assurance sur la direction que doit prendre l’Eglise. Je crois que ces qualités ont convaincu les Cardinaux à le choisir ».
« Nous sommes certains aussi qu’il aidera l’Eglise des Philippines qui, en ce moment, fait face à la question de la pacification du pays (il y a encore des tensions dans les rapports entre le gouvernement et les rebelles islamiques du sud) et une série de propositions de lois qui sont à l’examen du Congrès, contraires à la vie et à la famille. Nous prions et nous espérons que ces lois ne seront pas approuvées ».
Cardinal Vidal joins groups opposing ‘split Cebu’ move
Mar 21, 2005
Municipal mayors, councilors, members of religious and militant groups and individuals who are against the proposals to divide the province of Cebu into two or three provinces have found an ally in Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Vidal.
(The Manila Bulletin Online, 16-3-05) CEBU CITY — Describing the move to divide Cebu as "evil," Cardinal Vidal said the Church would not dare see her faithful in hot water on account of pursuing a very aggrandizing ambition of creating three provinces.
The Cardinal’s message was delivered by spokesman Monsignor Roberto Alesna before more than 1,000 delegates to the "Sugbu, Supak sa Pagbuakbuak" (Cebu, against divisions) summit at the SM City Cinema last Monday afternoon.
Vidal said in his message that although the improvement of basic services, the decentralization of power, and a more focused distribution of goods were promised in the proposals, it should not be treated as the last resort and even the first priority.
The Cardinal further said that the projection of large deficits for the new provinces would create more problems and prove that the plans are not sustainable and viable.
During the summit last Monday, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said that dividing Cebu would make the province fall off its ranking in the list of the country’s top revenue earners. She also gave a gloomy forecast for each of the districts seeking secession.
Garcia said that if the planned split is pushed through, Cebu province could incur a deficit of R185.17 million in one year, considering that total expenses can reach R553.62 million and an income of only R368.45 million.
"A divided Cebu will also face a drastic cut in Internal Revenue Allotment," Garcia warned. "I call on you, Cebuanos, by birth and by choice, let us all be Cebuanos by conscience. Let us defend the integrity of our province because as the whole country knows, Cebu is number one because we are one," the governor said.
The proposals to split Cebu into several provinces have drawn criticisms from Cebuanos, not only from government officials but also from ordinary citizens living in the different towns here.
Garcia, who has opposed the proposal, challenged the proponents of the divide-Cebu move to recall their bills from Congress "and face me in the next elections."
She said the solons wanted to create new provinces so they could rule these by themselves. "I would have to say that these bills do not reflect nor represent the sentiments of their constituents," Garcia said.
Two Cebuano legislators, Rep. Antonio Yapha of the third district and Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez of the fourth district, have filed separate bills creating the Province of Occidental Cebu and Province of Cebu del Norte, respectively.
Martinez’s husband ran for governor of Cebu last year, but lost to Garcia.
Rep. Simeon Kintanar of the second district is also coming up with his proposal to convert his district into a province. Kintanar, Martinez and Yapha are all on their third successive terms and are barred from seeking reelection in 2007.
Last Jan. 21, Yapha filed House Bill 3632 seeking to create Cebu Occidental province. Six days later, Martinez filed House Bill 3657 proposing the creation of Cebu del Norte.
Longing for the early days of Cardinal Vidal
Feb 07, 2005
Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal turns 74 years old today. It is an age that makes it difficult for us to wish him “ many many more years to come “ the way we would wish others we hold just as dear but who are of a very much younger age.
(The Freeman, February 6, 2005) Age, it seems, also takes its toll on sincerity. Therefore, in order to remain sincere in our wishes for our beloved cardinal, allow us to rephrase our greetings to “ may you have the peace and comfort that God blesses those who have served Him well. “
The milestone that Cardinal Vidal reaches today cannot but make us feel nostalgic for the early days when, with knees still perfectly able, he would rally the Cebuano faithful to a physical demonstration of the concerns and issues he held in his heart.
We remember him personally leading a blockade of movie theaters that showed what was then in vogue in the early 80s — sexy movies that left almost nothing to the imagination and which leaves today’s sexy movies like quivering cubes of jelly by comparison.
And who can forget the biggest protest march ever in Cebu? In what was a virtual sea of people filling the entire stretch of Osmeña Boulevard from the Santo Niño Basilica to Abellana, Vidal led a march to Fuente protesting against abortion and birth control.
But those were the days. The years have apparently taken a physical toll on Vidal, in much the same manner that they have on the pope, who had to be rushed to a hospital in Rome fighting for breath.
Vidal continues to espouse many causes, only that he can no longer be as aggressive in pushing them as he used to. Today he relies mainly on the pulpit. And whether he likes it or not, words often do not have as much telling effect than if delivered with a punch.
Recently Vidal once again spoke out against the vigilante killings that Mayor Tomas Osmeña admitted to have inspired. This time he directed his concern at the people, whose seeming nonchalance over the issue apparently bothers him.
The first time Vidal spoke of the matter, he used no less than the most important church activity of the year in Cebu, the feast of the Santo Niño last January 16. During the Mass he celebrated on that day, he took aim at no less than Osmeña himself.
Of course the very public admonition fell flat before the feet of the mayor. And of course Vidal is helpless to do anything about it. And it is with such realization that nostalgia kicks in.
In the early days, it would have been possible for Vidal to lead a demonstration at City Hall. How interesting it would have been to find out how Osmeña would have reacted, knowing the kind of man he is. But that is wishful thinking now. So, happy birthday na lang, Your Eminence.
Cardinal asks faithful not to treat Mass like a movie
Jan 16, 2005
Going to Mass should not be likened to going to a movie, Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday said in his homily yesterday. Devotion to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist was emphasized again by Vidal yesterday as the establishment of the Señor Sto. Niño parish in barangay Guba, Cebu City was celebrated.
(The Freeman, January 10, 2005) Vidal said that some churchgoers are not actually interested in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. “Dugay monaog sa balay, dugay moabot, busa dili isama sa sinehan ang pagsimba nga mahimo na lang mosulod ug mogawas maskin unsa nga oras,” Vidal said.
He said “it is very delightful to hear the loud response in the introductory rites until the concluding prayer. Attending the Holy Eucharistic celebration is the highest form of prayer. Therefore, this should be seriously practiced.”
Vidal lauded parishioners of the Sto. Niño Guba Parish for growing fast as a diocese and celebrating the feast ahead even if it was not the first Sto. Niño parish established in the province.
The first Sto. Niño parish established in Cebu, in 1847, is in Poro, Camotes. This was followed by the parish of Sta. Fe in Bantayan island in 1891. The town of Medellin established the Diocese in 1910; while Guba, Cebu City and Bulak, Dumanjug followed in 1968.
After the mass, the Cardinal joined the parishioners in a meal of native chicken, humba, escabeche and lechon.
He then visited the booths of the different barangays under the parish and tasted the native delicacies of suman, biko, cassava, fried bananas, and turon.
The Guba Sto. Niño parish has six other mountain barangays included in its diocese. These are Mabini, Agsungot, Cambinocot, Sirao, Tagbao, and Taptap.
Un réveil pour prêcher plus court
Oct 04, 2004
Le cardinal philippin Ricardo Vidal, archevêque de Cebu, a offert aux prêtres de son diocèse un réveil pour les inciter à prêcher plus court. Selon lui, les paroles trop longues "conduisent à la catastrophe" pour les pratiquants et à un "gaspillage d’énergie" pour les prêtres. – Une façon originale de lutter contre la « concupiscence de la chaire » qui travaille tant de prédicateurs, pas seulement aux Philippines.
Rejecting Contraceptive Campaign
Sept 09, 2004
Manila, Aug. 10, 2004 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu has written to all legislators in the Philippines, urging them to oppose an aggressive new national family-planning policy.
The cardinal argued that lay Catholics should take the lead in fighting against an effort that promotes artificial contraception. He reasoned that the best method of fighting poverty would be to provide help for impoverished families-- including help in learning to use natural techniques of family planning-- rather than putting pressure on parents to limit the number of their children.
Cardinal Vidal told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: "I will not make any imposition on anybody." However, he added: "If they are Christians, they will know how to respond."
Cardinal Vidal celebrates 37th Episcopal anniversary
“Benedetto XVI è un uomo umile, un padre, che sa ascoltare ed è una guida sicura”
« Nous sommes très heureux »