Cebu cathedral mausoleum closed to public after Vidal burial

Catholics queue to view the remains of Ricardo Cardinal Vidal at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu City. CEBU DAILY NEWS / TONEE DESPOJO

CEBU CITY — The mausoleum of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral will be closed for the next five days following the burial of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal today.

According to Fr. Brian Brigoli, chair of the Archdiocesan Commission on Culture and Heritage and current Cathedral Museum director, they will be working on the concrete slabs and installation of a permanent niche cover in the next few days before opening the mausoleum to the public again.

“The inner chamber (where the actual niche is located) will be closed. The outer chamber may be opened. People can still pay their respects in the outer chamber. They can offer flowers also,” he said.

Vidal will be laid to rest before noon on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017, at the mausoleum following the 9 a.m. Requiem Mass presided by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

After the funeral rites, there will be a formal closing ceremony of the mausoleum. /cbb