SENATORS have expressed their sadness over the death of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on Wednesday, October 18.
Vidal, who served the Archdiocese of Cebu for 29 years before retiring in 2011, died at the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City at 7:28 a.m. Wednesday. He was 86 years old.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, but at the same time, immensely blessed that our lives have been touched by a man who lived by faith -- in God, in the Filipino people, in his country," Senator Francis Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan further said that Cardinal Vidal was aware of the ills of society and was never afraid to speak about them and call out the country’s leaders for collective action.
Pangilinan further said that the Cardinal had an incisive political judgment and played a historic role in dealing with past presidents.
"In 1986, as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, he signed the pastoral letter that called that year's snap elections fraudulent. This gave the moral impetus to the first Edsa People Power Revolution. In 2001, he quietly visited then President Estrada to leave Malacanang to avert violence. He also voiced out his views on controversies hounding the Arroyo and Aquino administrations," Pangilinan said.
For her part, Senator Nancy Binay described Cardinal Vidal as a rock and a foundation of the Binay family's spiritual life.
"He [Vidal] and my father enjoyed a cordial friendship through the years. His leadership of the Catholic faithful will be missed," she said.
Senator Joel Villanueva said that the Cebu Archbishop Emeritus encouraged others to be compassionate.
"His legacy will be forever carried on through the lives of those he influenced," he said.
Vidal remains was brought to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for public viewing. His remains will stay at the cathedral until Friday, October 20, before it will be transferred to the St. Pedro Calungsod Shrine in Cebu City. (SunStar Philippines)