Vidal turns 82 today

Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal turns 82 today.

The Cebu clergy led by Archbishop Jose Palma will celebrate Vidal’s birthday through a 10 a.m. Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

A reception follows at the church convent.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu, expressed his wishes to Vidal.

“To my idol and mentors, you’re always our friend in our desire to go deeper in our spiritual life,” he said.

“May you have more years to influence and teach us how to live humbly and pastorally,” he added.

Vidal retired in 2011 and was replaced by Archbishop Palma.

The cardinal was born on Feb. 6, 1931 in Mogpo, Marinduque. He was ordained priest on March 17, 1956 and a bishop on Nov. 30, 1971.

Vidal first came to Cebu in 1981 where he was appointed coadjutor archbishop. He was installed as Cebu archbishop on Sept. 18, 1982 after the death of Julio Cardinal Rosales.

Vidal played a major role in the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod last Oct. 21, 2012. Calungsod, a teenage Visayan martyr, became the second Filipino saint.

After his retirement, Vidal resides in a house inside Sto. Village in Banilad, Cebu City. /reporter ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL