Pope John Paul images selling like hot cakes

More than nine years since he passed away and nearly three years after he was beatified, Blessed John Paul II remains an influential and revered figure within the Catholic Church.

Here in Cebu, a supplier of religious images in uptown Cebu City is receiving orders from a number of stores for icons of the late pope who is to be canonized along with Pope John XXIII at the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Sunday, April 27.

“There has been a increase in orders since the first week of April,” said Arnel Dejos who manages Flores de Manaoag located along D. Jakosalem Street in Cebu City.

Flores de Manaoag has been supplying images to eight other religious stores in Cebu.

Prices of the images ranged from P175 to P20,000 depending on their sizes. The resin-made statues of the late pontiff measure four to 52 inches.

Personal dedication

One image shows Pope John Paul II carrying a little girl—a portrayal of the Holy Father’s closeness to children and his well-loved charisma.

In another image, Pope John Paul II raised his right arm to bless the people while his left arm is holding a crosier or a pastoral staff with a crucifix on top—a symbol of the Holy Father’s task to tend the Lord’s flock.

Archbishop Emeritus of Cebu Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday said the two Supreme pontiffs have left an indelible mark in the mind and heart of the Church.

While they differ in style, Vidal said John Paul II and John XXIII have something in common.
“The language of holiness is in their lives. They have a personal dedication to God’s call to serve Him as priests. They opened their lives to the people,” he said.

Queer bishop

In an interview at his retirement home in barangay Banilad, Cebu City, the 83-year-old Vidal said he was supposed to attend the canonization of the two popes on Sunday but had to cancel it due to health reasons. Vidal was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Cebu by Pope John Paul II in 1981.

The following year, Vidal became the archbishop of Cebu, succeeding Cardinal Julio Rosales.

In 1985, Pope John Paul II named Vidal a cardinal. He was also appointed by Pope John Paul II as the first Filipino president of the World Synod of Bishops in Rome.

Vidal was called the “Queer Bishop” by Pope John Paul II because he personally travelled to Rome to ask the Holy Father not to transfer him from Lipa to Cebu because he’s unfamiliar with the Cebuano language.

Vidal eventually accepted the order of Pope John Paul II and served Cebu for 30 years. Vidal retired in 2011.