That Vidal has served the archdiocese long and hard is no cause for argument. It is a well-documented fact, a matter of public record, and for this it can rightly be said that he is one of the most beloved prelates Cebu ever had.
Unfortunately, his tenure as archbishop is also being hobbled toward its latter years by some controversies that he has not effectively addressed to the satisfaction of an increasingly questioning flock.
Foremost among these controversies are those that are political or sexual in nature. His well-publicized friendship with ousted president Joseph Estrada is one. His failure to rein in the sexually-abusive priests under him is another.
Ideally, it should have been the kindness of a grateful flock that should send off Vidal to his retirement. But then, it is one of the manifestations of a cruel and unfair world that a person is often more remembered for his shortcomings than his triumphs.
This should not be the case. While it is true, or at least it is what the perceptions suggest, that Vidal appears to have been unduly protective of his erring priests than be more consoling to their victims, we cannot be that ungrateful for what he has done.
To be sure, Vidal has earned our gratitude many times over, and while we may now be quite unsettled by the way he seems to be handling the controversies involving his priests, we are certain this will all come to pass and Vidal shall have earned his rightful place in our hearts.
Respect is earned. The Cebuanos know this and so does Vidal. How respect is earned may, however, vary and it is up to us, in the end-game of our relationship with our cardinal, how we choose to give it, and for what reasons.