Cebuanos will fondly remember Pope Benedict XVI as the pope who gave them a saint.
Cebu Archbishop emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said the Filipinos, especially the Cebuanos, should be thank Pope Benedict for the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod.
“At least for us, he gave us a saint. For the Cebuanos, Filipinos, the Pope gave us another saint, that that is difficult to decide on because I have worked for it since 1986. He should be remembered for that”, retired prelate said.
He said the Holy Father intended to visit the Philippines but was not able to do so because of his health.
Vidal who last met the Pope during San Pedro’s canonization last year, said he had noticed that the 85-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church was very weak.
“He feels he is very weak. During the canonization, he was almost brought upstairs by the two masters of ceremonies. He feels that he is no longer fit to govern the universal church although his mind is very clear”, Vidal said in a press conference yesterday.
Vidal said he remembers the Pope expressing his happiness about the strong faith of the Filipinos.
“Like everyone else, I’m very much surprised by this sudden turn of events. Nevertheless, no matter how we feel about his decision, we cannot do anything but to respect the Holy Father’s will. We thank the Lord for giving us the leader suited for this time and let us pray for the Lord’s divine will to be done by sending us another shepherd to govern the universal church”, Vidal said.
The retired Cebu archbishop said he admires the Pope for his sincerity and honesty for admitting that he could no longer run the church because of his old age. Vidal could not help but compare him to the people in power whom he described as “kapit-tuko”.
“I admire the Holy Father for his strength and sincerity for saying I can’t serve anymore,” Vidal said.
Two of the country’s three princes of the Catholic church are ineligible from participating in the conclave when the College of Cardinals convene in the Vatican to choose Benedict’s successor.
There are presently 118 cardinals who are eligible to choose the next Pope.
The Philippines will have only one representative, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle.
Both Cardinal Vidal and Manila Archbishop emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales are not allowed to vote and be elected since they have reached the age of 80.
Rosales will turn 81 on Aug. 10 while Vidal turned 82 last Feb. 6. /Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan And Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol