CEBU Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal was not able to visit the graves of his departed kin at the Carreta Cemetery yesterday.

The prelate has been advised by his doctors to rest following a short stay in a private hospital last month.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, Archdiocese of Cebu spokesperson, said that Vidal was admitted at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Perpetual Succour Hospital a few days after he arrived in Cebu from Rome last Oct. 10.

Tan, however, clarified that Vidal’s confinement at the ICU was not because of a major ailment.

Tan said Vidal had to stay at the ICU so he can rest.

Tan said that Vidal plans to visit the graves of his father, Fructuoso Sr.; his aunt, Illuminada Jamin; and his sister, Maria Loreto, within this month.

In the absence of Vidal, Msgr. Ruben Labajo, team moderator of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, blessed and offered prayers for the retired archbishop’s deceased kin yesterday. Labajo told reporters that it was his way of showing respect to Vidal.

Labajo also asked cemetery personnel to clean the graves of Vidal’s kin in preparation for the latter’s visit.