Cardinal Vidal celebrates 37th Episcopal anniversary

Looking back across the years since his consecration as archbishop of Cebu on November 30, 1971, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal expressed gratitude beyond words can describe to God and to all who have continued to walk with God along with him.

Yesterday, Vidal celebrated his 37th Episcopal Anniversary, the day when he was consecrated as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

During the mass participated by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Adams, the ambassador of the Vatican Holy See, Vidal asked the followers of the Catholic Church to do more than just pray for him by accompanying his eminence in his pilgrimage along the “way of truth,” which he said the path he has chosen when he accepted the honor to be the Archbishop of Cebu.

Vidal said he was always inspired with how he sees the people grow in love with Christ as they go to church and pray “Lord, make us grow in love together with Benedict our Pope.”

Vidal, at 77, as he called to mind the circumstances that has brought him to where he is right now still humbled himself to everyone imitating how Christ has humbled himself when He gave up all his rights as God to save the human race from sin.

Vidal reminisced, “With no less than St. Pius X at the beginning of my Episcopal Succession, I must confess, I am at the same time highly honored and deeply humbled. I would like to thank you all or joining me in calling to mind that date when although unworthy, I was made a bishop.”

Vidal, above all thanked the Lord for the favor He bestowed on him in Christ Jesus such as the gift of speech and knowledge and the spiritual gift of witnessing to Christ to mention few.

Being always inspired with the principal objectives of popes which, Vidal said, he will always put in mind and practice with the help from the Holy Spirit, the restoring of all things in Christ and the defense of Christian truth and law.

Vidal said he will always acknowledge that only God can make the church and each individual grow.

“I believe that it is only the pulling grace of God from above that we grow together in love from below.”

Archbishop Adams during the Pontifical Mass also delivered his prayers for the cardinal. Adams prayed for the cardinal’s guidance and more blessings from the Lord.

Adams said that the Vatican community is with its deepest gratitude to Vidal for walking along with fellow believers in Christ. Adams thanked the cardinal for uniting and taking part in the protection of the people and their faith.

“To be a bishop is not easy because you have to do something that exceeds human possibilities. Cardinal Vidal has been entrusted to take build and strengthen the church and carried the burden. He was asked to do the same thing as Jesus did like pronouncing the gospel,” said Adams.

 “May God repay him for his dedication and generosity and for giving himself entirely to God in service for the people,” Adams said. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/NLQ