Palace enjoins Catholic faithful in mourning Vidal passing

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal INQUIRER.net file photo

Malacañang joined the Filipino people in mourning the passing of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

READ: Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, 86

“The Palace condoles with the Cebu faithful on the demise of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal this morning,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement on Wednesday.

Vidal, the country’s most senior cardinal, died at 7:28 on Wednesday, said Msgr. Joseph Tan, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The cardinal had been confined at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Cebu City after he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was in a coma throughout October 12, but showed positive signs on October 13.

“President Rodrigo Duterte and Cardinal Vidal had a friendly, cordial relationship,” Abella said.

The cardinal had paid a courtesy call to Malacañang shortly after Duterte assumed office and “assured the (President) of his fervent prayers for him and his administration.”

“We are thankful for the kind bishop’s pastoral role of the Catholic faithful,” Abella said.

Vidal was archbishop of Cebu for 29 years before he retired in 2011. A native of Mogpog, Marinduque, he chose to spend his retirement years in Cebu. /jpv