AS he turned 86 years old yesterday, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal wished for reconciliation between President Rodrigo Duterte and the Catholic Church.
“If we will not harmonize our understanding and our activities then where will peace come?” he said.
Duterte and the officials of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) continue to disagree on the government’s war against illegal drugs.
Vidal confirmed he read CBCP’s pastoral letter on drug-related deaths during a mass he presided last Sunday.
Despite Duterte’s tirades against the church, Vidal urged the public to pray for the President.
“We are always obliged as citizens to pray for our President, even if we like him or not. Since he came out (as the winner) of the election, we have to accept it. Let us cooperate,” he said.
Vidal also wished that he will be given an opportunity to serve better despite his old age.