Vidal doesn’t encourage rallies, asks people to pray

Ricardo Jamin Cardinal Vidal

Function: Archbishop of Cebu, Philippines

Title: Cardinal Priest of Ss Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense

Birthdate: Feb 06, 1931	Country: Philippines

Elevated: May 25, 1985	More information: www.catholic-hierarchy.org

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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."

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