Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
The country’s most senior cardinal turns 83 years old today.
No grand celebration is set for Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
The prelate said he chose to hold a simple gathering in his retirement home at Sto. Niño Village in barangay Banilad, Cebu City.
“The cardinal wants a private celebration at home. He will just celebrate Mass (inside his chapel) and then have lunch. He doesn’t want any big celebration especially in the aftermath of last year’s calamities. He feels for the victims of those calamities,” said Vidal’s secretary, Fr. Joseph de Aquino.
Vidal retired in 2011 and was replaced by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
The cardinal was born on Feb. 6, 1931 in Mogpog, Marinduque province. He was ordained a priest on March 17, 1956 and a bishop on Nov. 30, 1971.
Vidal first came to Cebu in 1981 when he was appointed coadjutor archbishop.
He was installed as Cebu archbishop on Sept. 18, 1982 after the death of Julio Cardinal Rosales.