CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma believes that calls to declare the late Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal a potential saint must be shelved first.
Palma made the statement after holding mass at the mausoleum of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral for Vidal yesterday.
Palma told reporters that while he is grateful to some people who testify of alleged favors received after praying to Vidal, it may take a long time before the Archdiocese of Cebu could start the process.
Palma said they need to wait at least 25 years after Vidal’s death before they can consider campaigning for his sainthood.
Based on norms issued by the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, the diocese can start an investigation into a person’s cause of sainthood five years after his or her death.
Palma said they are also in the process of the beatification of Archbishop Teofilo Camomot, a cause that Vidal fully supported even before his death.
“Ato sa humanon si (Let’s first focus on) Camomot, then we’ll see,” Palma said.
After preparing the documents of his heroic virtues and holy life, postulators for Camomot’s cause are awaiting the announcement from Vatican on whether the late Archbishop will be granted the title of “Venerable.”
Vidal had often been in Rome to check on the status of Camomot’s cause for sainthood.
Just before Vidal was buried, Cebu City Rep. Raul Del Mar (Cebu City, North District) called upon the Archdiocese to work for his canonization because of his fame as a well-known mediator. (JKV)