Vidal asked to head CBCP groups

IN assuming his new role as president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma again paid homage to his predecessor.

After a formal turnover ceremony at the CBCP headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, last Wednesday, Palma immediately flew back to Cebu City to attend the 40th episcopal anniversary of Cardinal Vidal.

During the pontifical Mass held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday morning, Palma asked Vidal to head “at least two” committees of the CBCP, one of which will work on the canonization of the Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

Calungsod is the first Visayan martyr whose cause for sainthood is now being reviewed by Pope Benedict XVI.

Palma said the CBCP needs Vidal’s “experience, expertise and influence” in dealing with quite a number of issues.

“We appreciate your (Vidal) ministry. You have been a loving and caring father. We should never miss that experience, expertise and influence,” said Palma who was installed as the fourth archbishop of the Cebu Archdiocese last Jan. 13.

Despite his frail condition, the 81-year-old Vidal told Palma and the congregation that he “accepts the challenge.”

In an interview after the Mass, Vidal welcomed any work he may be given by the CBCP though he has retired.

“If they still need me, I can help in whatever way that the Lord has given me. That is my motto now,” Vidal said.

While he admitted to experiencing physical pain, the prelate said he could still make a difference.

“Nevertheless, I can still walk. I’m still alive, I’m still sane and (I can still travel),” Vidal said.

Vidal served as CBCP president from 1986 to 1987 when People Power ousted then president Ferdinand Marcos.

His advice to Palma? “Work hard. There are many things that they have to decide. I would try to help out,” Vidal said.

Palma replaced Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar as the president of the influential CBCP.

A Cebuano priest, Rev. Fr. Marvin Mejia, will also assume the post as assistant secretary general of the CBCP.

He will reside in the CBCP headquarters while Palma will be based in Cebu City.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas shall also assume his post as vice president. Dumaguete Bishop John Du, a Cebuano, will be CBCP’s treasurer.

In marking 40 years of service, Vidal called on fellow priests to remain faithful to the Lord and to be always ready to serve God’s flock anytime and anywhere.

He said priests should seek out God’s flock even if at times they are unwanted.

“The true measure of the priest is not how sought-after he is in celebrating Masses everywhere, but how he seeks for his flocks even if they close their doors to him,” the prelate explained.

Vidal said the Lord will judge everyone by how one served the least of his or her brethren.

“I have loved the priesthood even before my ordination. It is what kept me going despite the difficulties of seminary life,” Vidal said.

Vidal was ordained bishop by the late Archbishop Carmine Rocco, who was Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines from 1967 to 1973 on Nov. 30, 1971.

Since his ordination as bishop, Vidal has been assigned to the dioceses of Malolos and Lipa and was coadjutor archbishop of Cebu on April 13, 1981.

He succeeded as archbishop of Cebu the following year.

Vidal, who was born in Mogpog, Marinduque, was elevated to the College of Cardinal in May 1985.