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Saturday, February 07, 2004
Show your weakness, Cardinal advises politicians
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
CEBU CITY -- Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal reminded politicians that wielding power and influence does not always earn one real allies.
In his homily during Friday's mass to celebrate his 73rd birthday, Vidal preached about King Herod's failure to realize that showing one's "weakness" can be a manifestation of strength.
"Weakness per se is not a virtue, it is the human condition. But when we accept that we are weak and that we need the strength of another to lift us up from our fallen condition, then we have harnessed a source of strength more durable and lasting," the prelate said.
Like today's politicians who are trying to show that they are powerful and influential, Vidal said they may only be deceiving themselves.
As he celebrated his birthday, Vidal thanked his friends for "making life worth living."
He admitted that he has "failures and weaknesses" but added that friends who care "correct each other when they are wrong, encourage each other when they are disappointed and affirm each other when they have done well."
During Friday's lunch that followed the 11 a.m. mass at the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Shrine, priests, nuns and guests greeted Vidal with gifts, kisses and hugs.
However, Vidal said it is their "presence" not presents that mattered to him.
During Thursday's vespers or night prayers, Vidal urged the members of the clergy to ask for the "gift of fidelity" and urged them to remain faithful to their vocation.
Vidal's birthday celebration began Thursday night with the vespers and a party thrown for him by Cebu's priests and nuns.
He was given a check for the renovation of his office and a mattress that he could use for exercising.
At 4:30 a.m. on Friday, a maņanita mass was also held at the Archbishop's Palace.
The cardinal earlier promised to pray for all the candidates, including Fernando Poe Jr., who visited him Friday.
Poe, who met with local allies in politics, took time to pay a 30-minute visit to the prelate on Thursday.
Vidal when interviewed by media said he advised Poe to be patient with the media.
"Learn to deal with them because they just want the truth to come out," he told king of Philippine movies.
It was the first time for Poe to visit Vidal on his own since he announced that he is seeking the presidency. The movie actor usually accompanied former president Joseph Estrada, his close friend, whenever the latter met with Vidal.
(February 7, 2004 issue)
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