His Eminence

Ricardo J. Vidal

D.D.
Cardinal, Archbishop of Cebu
Cardinal Vidal
ProvinceCebu
AppointedApril 13, 1981 (Coadjutor)
InstalledAugust 24, 1982
Term endedJanuary 13, 2011
PredecessorJulio Rosales
SuccessorJosé S. Palma
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of Santi Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense
Orders
OrdinationMarch 17, 1956
by Alfredo Obviar
ConsecrationNovember 30, 1971
by Carmine Rocco
Created cardinalMay 25, 1985
by Pope John Paul II
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born
Ricardo Tito Jamin Vidal

(1931-02-06)February 6, 1931
Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippine Islands[1]
DiedOctober 18, 2017(2017-10-18) (aged 86)
Cebu City, Philippines
BuriedOctober 26, 2017
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Mausoleum, Cebu City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
DenominationRoman Catholic
ResidenceCebu City
Previous post(s)
  • Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos and Titular Bishop of Claternae (1971–1973)
  • Archbishop of Lipa (1973–1981)
MottoVIAM VERITATIS ELEGI(lit. 'I have chosen the way of truth')
Coat of armsRicardo J. Vidal's coat of arms
Styles of
Ricardo J. Vidal
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeCebu

Ricardo Tito Jamin Vidal (Latin: Ricardus Titus Vidal; Spanish: Ricardo Tito Vidal y Jamín; (February 6, 1931 – October 18, 2017) was a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. Made a cardinal in 1985, he was Archbishop of Cebu from 1982 to 2010.

Early life and education

Vidal was born on February 6, 1931, in Mogpog, Marinduque[2] to Faustino S. Vidal of Pila, Laguna, and Natividad Jamin of Mogpog,[1] the fifth of six siblings. In 1937, Vidal received his first communion at the International Eucharistic Celebration.[3] He attended Mogpog Elementary School for his primary education.[2]

Vidal studied at the Minor Seminary of the Most Holy Rosary (now Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary) in Sariaya, Quezon, and at the Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Lipa, Batangas, where he studied philosophy. He also studied theology at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati, Metro Manila.[4][2]

Ministry

Vidal was ordained a deacon on September 24, 1955, and as a priest on March 17, 1956, on Lucena, Quezon Province, by Bishop Alfredo Obviar.[2] Vidal became the spiritual director of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary in Sariaya, Quezon.

Ordination history of
Ricardo Vidal
History
Diaconal ordination
Ordained byAlfredo Obviar (Lucena AA)
DateSeptember 24, 1955
PlaceLucena, Quezon
Priestly ordination
Ordained byAlfredo Obviar (Lucena AA)
DateMarch 17, 1956
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byCarmine Rocco (Philippines Apos. Nunc.)
DateNovember 30, 1971
Cardinalate
Elevated byPope John Paul II
DateMay 25, 1985

He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos on November 30, 1971[2] and was consecrated bishop by Archbishop Carmine Rocco, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. Less than two years later, he was appointed Archbishop of Lipa by Pope Paul VI. Pope John Paul II appointed Vidal Coadjutor Archbishop of Cebu in 1981 and he became archbishop there on August 24, 1982, succeeding Cardinal Julio Rosales.

Vidal was a frequent collaborator with Bishop Teofilo Camomot and bore witness to the native Cebuano prelate's claimed miraculous deed.[5] Vidal also helped found the Catechist Missionaries of St. Theresa, a Catholic religious congregation.

Vidal was President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1986 to 1987 and became Chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Clergy in 1989. He was appointed the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences's Convenor of the Standing Committee (1985 to 1994). He was a delegate to the Synod on Reconciliation (1983), the Extraordinary Synod (1985), the Synod on Priests (1991), and the Synod on Religious Life (1994), and also served as President Delegate at the 1989 Synod on the Laity. He was also a member of the Permanent Council of the Synod from 1989 to 1994. Vidal's posts in the Roman Curia included memberships in the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Congregation for Catholic Education, and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers.[6]

College of Cardinals

On May 25, 1985,[7] he became Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense. He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI,[8] the only Filipino cardinal to do so, because Cardinal Jaime Sin's poor health prevented him from attending.

Leadership in the Philippines

Vidal and the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila Jaime Sin supported the 1986 Philippine People Power Revolution. As Archbishop of Cebu and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Vidal led the rest of the Philippine prelates and made a joint declaration against the government and the results of the snap election.[9]

In 1989 President Corazon Aquino asked Vidal to convince General Jose Comendador, who was sympathetic to the rebel forces fighting her government, to surrender peacefully. His intervention averted what could have been a bloody coup.[10]

In 2001, during the 2001 People Power Revolution Vidal convinced President Joseph Estrada to step down.[11] Estrada was later detained. Vidal along with Senator Manny Villar and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. wrote a letter appealing to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to grant pardon to Estrada in the "spirit of national unity and reconciliation". Estrada was pardoned and released from detention on October 26, 2007.[12]

Later life and death

Pope Benedict XVI accepted Vidal's resignation as Archbishop of Cebu on October 15, 2010. He was succeeded by Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Palo.

In retirement, Vidal lived in Sto. Niño Village in Cebu City. He continued presiding at Masses and attending events organized by the Archdiocese of Cebu. He underwent a coronary angiogram procedure and had a pacemaker installed in 2004. He experienced a mild stroke on September 23, 2013. He was confined to the hospital multiple times beginning in 2014 for pneumonia. He was confined in a hospital in May 2017 for the same illness, given the Catholic sacrament of anointing of the sick on October 11, and died on October 18.[13]

Recognition

Vidal received recognition from the government. On December 7, 2010, the Senate of the Philippines recognized his service to Cebu by Senate Resolution NO. 306: "It is resolved by the Senate, to honor Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, for his service to the people of Cebu, providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community avert or survive several crises and conflicts, often acting as a peacekeeper and giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views and interests in local and national issues."[14]

He also received recognition from the House of Representatives through House Resolution 593.[15] The Province of Cebu gave the highest award that a province could give, the Order of Lapu-lapu.[16] The cities of Cebu and Talisay made him an "adopted son" of the two localities.[17] In March 2009 the University of the Visayas granted him the title of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa.[18]

Calls for canonization

There have been calls for Vidal to be proclaimed a saint.[19] Vidal was influential in pushing for the canonization of several Filipinos, especially Pedro Calungsod. Filipino Catholics have been urging that Vidal receive the same honor. During the necrological service at Vidal's wake, the Cebu City North District Representative, Raul del Mar, called on Catholic Church officials to work for the canonization of Vidal, whom he describes to have lived a life of holiness and noteworthy humility that is worthy of sainthood. Among those who claim that the archbishop lived a holy life was Senator Vicente Sotto III, who said to the news reporters as he showed a rosary given to him by Vidal, "Now, I have a new friend in heaven. He is praying for me."[20]

References

  1. 1 2 "Philippines Civil Registration (Archives Division), 1902-1945; pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-26323-20610-60 —". Familysearch.org. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, D.D." CBCP Online. Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Cardinal Vidal as one of the First Communicants". International Eucharistic Congress 2016. July 6, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ Bueza, Michael (October 18, 2017). "Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal". Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  5. ↑ "A man who learned to give it all". philstar.com. May 15, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, D.D". Cbcponline.net. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  7. ↑ Schanche, Don A. (May 26, 1985). "2 Americans Among Cardinals: Pope Installs 28 New 'Princes of the Church'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Cardinals taking part in the vote". BBC. April 17, 2005. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Post-Election Statement". Cbcponline.net. February 13, 1986. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Cardinal Vidal Says Dialogue Helped Limit Bloodshed during Coup". ucanews.com. December 12, 1989. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ Marlen Limpag (October 18, 2013). "Cardinal Vidal recounts many roles as Cebu archbishop". MyCebu.ph. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Former President Estrada leaves prison, thanks Cardinal Vidal". AsiaNews.it. October 26, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  13. ↑ Mayol, Ador Vincent (October 18, 2017). "Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, 86". Inquirer Visayas. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Senate Resolution No. 306 HONORING RICARDO CARDINAL VIDAL". senate.gov.ph. December 7, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Del Mar seeks House recognition for Vidal". Philippine Star. November 12, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Vidal to get province's highest honor". Philippine Star. August 7, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Vidal is now Talisay's adopted son". Philippine Star. November 20, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Cardinal Vidal expresses elation over latest award". balita.ph. February 27, 2014. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  19. ↑ "A call to sainthood in Cebu". manilatimes.net. October 27, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  20. ↑ "San Ricardo Vidal? Calls for possible canonization". sunstar.com.ph. October 26, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
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