Vidal turns 82, accepts major duties

CEBU, Philippines - On his 82nd birthday yesterday, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal accepted two major duties that Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma requested during the mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday.

Palma asked Vidal to lead in the preparations for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016 which will be hosted by Cebu City and to help work on the beatification of Bishop Teofilo Camomot and Bishop Alfredo Obviar.

Vidal said he is willing to help considering that he has experienced many Eucharistic congresses in the past.

Pope Benedict XVI declared during the 50th Congress in Ireland last year that Cebu will be the host of the next Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

“Yes, we should help out. I have experienced so many Eucharistic Congresses. I was even asked twice to be a part of the speaker in the international congress. I will help them as much as I can,” Vidal said.

The International Eucharistic Congress is a celebration of faith and an assembly of pilgrims, devotees, lay people, and Church leaders held every four years.

It aims to promote an awareness of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, to improve understanding and celebration of the Liturgy, and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

Vidal also said that the church has started working on the beatification of Camomot and Obviar.

“We have opened it by establishing a commission headed by Bishop Antonio Ranola so that the Holy See has given us a permission to begin inquiring about the pastoral life of the archbishop and auxiliary bishop,” Vidal said.

Camomot is a native of Carcar, Cebu who was known for his service and generosity to the poor.   At the age of 74, Monsignor Camomot died in a road accident on September 27, 1988, on his way home to Carcar.

Bishop Obviar, on the other hand, is the former Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lucena, who founded the missionary catechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. He was named Servant of God in March 2001.

A mass was held for Vidal’s birthday yesterday at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

“As another year passes and another one sets in, I strive to rekindle within me the sense of wonder inherent in a child, for time is God’s greatest gift to us. Another year is another chance to change oneself for the better, an opportunity to grow in wisdom, another possibility for deepening one’s relationship with loved ones and especially with the Lord,” Vidal said in his homily.

He stressed that every year added to one’s life is excess benefit because no man, however ingenious, can stretch the length of his years without the grace from God.

He also cited what Pope Benedict XVI said that today’s generation is obsessed with the achievement and because everything is a goal to be achieved, there is no more room for gratuitousness.

“Achievement breeds an attitude of self-entitlement. One feels entitled to be treated in a particular way because one has achieved a particular status. Don’t get me wrong. I do not frown on achievement, especially if it is truly the fruit of diligent labor. But let not our diligence blind us to the possibilities that exceed industry, for God may sometimes reward diligence with an excess of benefits, and a man is truly blessed if he recognizes that he is getting more than his capacities would allow,” Vidal said.

Jose “Dodong” Gullas wishes Vidal more year because he believes that Vidal was the most significant person responsible for the canonization of San Pedro Calungsod.

Right after the mass, the world-renowned University of the Visayas Chorale serenaded Vidal and the rest who attended the mass with the Visayan song Matud Nila and Rosas Pandan as well as a Spanish song.

Then, every one sang the “Happy Birthday” song to Vidal and Gullas and his wife, Nena, brought the cake to Vidal to let him blow the candle.

“I thank all the Cebuanos who helped me do my work, at the same time, greeted me and prayed for me so that I could continue my work. My wish is that I will be able to work according to the will of God,” Vidal said.  — Marigold P. Lebumfacil with Vanessa Balbuena (FREEMAN)