Cardinal Vidal Remembered as a Peacemaker, Pastor

Last updated on: October 25, 2017 at 9:26 pm by CNA Daily News

Cardinal Vidal Remembered as a Peacemaker, Pastor 2017-10-25T21:26:30+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, the late emeritus Archbishop of Cebu, Philippines, will be buried Oct. 26 in the mausoleum at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, alongside the remains of his fellow deceased bishops of Cebu.

Vidal, who died Oct. 18, served as Archbishop of Cebu from 1982-2011, and was named a cardinal in 1985. Alongside Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila, Vidal support the Philippine People Power Revolution of 1986, a series of demonstrations and protests leading to democratic elections in the Philippines. Vidal frequently intervened for peace during the difficult early years of democracy in the Philippines.

Father Francis Lucas, executive director of the Catholic Media Network in the Philippines, recalled that the 1986 democracy movement “was an expression of the Church leadership’s care for the masses of poor and oppressed sector. Cardinal Vidal’s participation as leader showed in his humble quiet manner revealed a staunch heart, a strong faith, and a deep care as a pastor protecting the lives of the Filipinos.”

“His move passed on the strong will to believe that a revolution can be done in a peaceful manner, that God hovers over the faithful, that hope will always result good for the hopeful; a united community of faith can prevail,” Lucas told CNA.

Edwin Lopez, director of EWTN’s Asia-Pacific Region, and a personal friend of Vidal, agreed. Lopez told CNA that Cardinal Vidal was both a national leader, and a personally generous pastor.

“His humility and self effacing humor allowed one to reflect on lessons without being told directly. However, when necessary, he could be very direct and assertive as a loving father and caring teacher. He had a very reassuring presence,” Lopez recalled.

Lopez recalled a time in which he was experiencing a spiritual crisis, and feeling alone. “Then suddenly the phone rang. It was Cardinal Vidal on the other line. It was probably the shortest phone call I had ever received in my lifetime from a prince of the Church, but the most assuring. His words were, ‘Do not lose heart. Have courage. I am praying for you.’”

Once, Lopez recalled, “he met with me in his kitchen while having a hair cut! He always made sure no one was left out.”

Lucas also recalled the cardinal’s pastoral charity. He recalled Vidal’s kindness to him as a young priest. “He loved the priesthood and his priests as a gentle pastor,” Lucas said.

Lucas said that Cardinal Vidal had a personal impact on his life, but also left a lasting mark on the Philippines. He taught that “conflicts can be resolved through peaceful means recall memories of friendship, sacrifice, mettle and good of the many,” Lucas said. He reminded Filipinos to “be strong in your loyalty to God the Church and values in a firm but peaceful stance.”

Lucas encouraged Filipinos to remember Cardinal Vidal’s “humility, gentleness, and firmness in the faith at all costs.” He encouraged Filipinos to honor the cardinal’s memory by “becoming peacemakers and purveyors of hope in this conflict-ridden and seemingly hopeless society.”

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

October 25, 2017

Pope: Heaven isn't a 'Fairy Tale' – it's an Embrace With God

Next Post

October 25, 2017 China's president seeks more control over religion

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who doubted Jesus' resurrection until he saw His wounds?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Philip Peter James Thomas