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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Vidal’s wish: End to killings
By Jujemay G. Awit Sun.Star Staff Reporter
With Allan I. Varquez
The end of summary executions is Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s ultimate wish for his 75th birthday.
“I hope the killings will be stopped, and that real criminals killing other criminals be investigated,” he said, adding that the peace and order situation in Cebu City has become “very sad.”
Vidal is willing to help the authorities who will investigate the case and is even opening his residence for witnesses, although he believes that security should be provided by the government.
Help
“Of course they are safe here, but I wonder if we can provide much for them since we have no police powers, no army. I think that is the government’s duty but we will offer help when needed,” said Vidal after his mañanita mass at 4:30 a.m. at the Archbishop’s Palace grounds.
The cardinal, however, did not comment on the call of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City chapter for the transfer of some top police officials because of the 117 unsolved killings since Dec. 22, 2004.
Msgr. Cris Garcia shares the cardinal’s wish.
“I hope the people will listen to God’s voice speaking through him (Vidal), especially when he condemns the violence that is around us... We cannot just go around condemning people to death without passing through due process,” he said.
And while the cardinal sometimes takes the heat for his opinion on summary killings, Garcia said, “I hope the Cebuanos will really stand with him and show him that he’s not alone, for he should never be alone.”
During his pontifical mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 5 p.m. yesterday, Vidal said he wants to continue his service to the faithful.
In his homily, he said he could have done better on everything that he did but like many other people, he has limitation.
Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Antonio Franco, bishops and priests joined Vidal in the altar.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia was the only local official who attended the mass.
Reception
The mass was followed by a reception at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
Other well-wishers hope for more years for the cardinal, especially since he has undergone heart operation.
“I wish that he be given the grace to look back over the 75 years with gratitude and the grace to look for ward to better days,” said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, archdiocesan media liaison officer.
Rep. Simeon Kintanar said, “I would like to wish that he will have many more years of service to the Lord and the faithful, because he provided inspiration for all of us.”
Hundreds of people braved the cold dawn to celebrate the cardinal’s birthday.
Vidal was greeted by the singing of visiting bishops, priests, nuns, seminarians and followers.
After the dawn mass, the people were treated to a breakfast of puto, bibingka and hot chocolate.
Later in the morning, Vidal inaugurated an exhibit of his memorabilia on the second floor of his residence.
The exhibit contained what Vidal described as “memories of my life’s journey.”
The journey includes his ordination as a priest 50 years ago, his episcopacy 35 years ago, his 25th year as Archbishop of Cebu and his 21st year as cardinal.
On display are pictures, robes and sacred vestments, awards and citations, Episcopal rings, notebooks containing his lectures and letters from the late Mother Teresa.
A portrait of the cardinal by Jun Empas was also unveiled.
The cardinal also submitted his obligatory resignation to the Vatican yesterday.
It is up to Pope Benedict XVI to accept his resignation, but he admitted that he is “very tired” and hopes that the pontiff approves it.
When asked if he would want to stay in Cebu even if he is no longer the Archbishop, Vidal said, “Of course! If the Cebuanos would still accept me, I would want to stay, I’ve been here 25 years now, the most productive years of my life, and I am used to this kind of life.”
Vidal said one of the programs he wants to continue is the feeding of poor families by every church of the archdiocese and the health care for all priests in Cebu.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 7, 2006 issue)
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