CEBU Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will turn 79 tomorrow.
The prelate will start his birthday with a raditional “mañanita” mass at 4:30 a.m. at the Archbishop’s Palace.
Vidal said his birthday wish will not only be for good health but also for the Vatican to hear his plea and name a Cebuano bishop to succeed him.
Vidal told reporters in an interview yesterday that for his birthday tomorrow, he will pray that God still give him the strength and health to serve Cebuanos.
The cardinal recently suffered from ailments that limited his participation in the feast of the Santo Nino last month. Vidal will resume conducting masses tomorrow after a week-long clergy congress in Manila.
Vidal said he wished that Pope Benedict XVI will name a good successor once he is allowed to resign from his post.
As part of the prelate’s birthday celebration, an 11 a.m. mass will be held in his honor at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
At 4 p.m. tomorrow, a book launching with Vidal will be held at the cathedral museum.
At 5 p.m. today, the clergy of the Cebu Archdiocese and the Men and Women Religious of Cebu will be conducting vespers for Vidal at the Sacred Heart Church on D. Jakosalem St., Cebu City.