Cardinal Vidal at 84: Grateful for gift of life

For his 84th birthday, retired Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday celebrated Holy  Mass, his first after being hospitalized last year.

“One more year does give that overwhelming sense of gratitude for God’s gift of life,” he said in a homily.

Vidal said he prays “that in my old age, I may not forget the more important things in life and that I may not be obstinate… For someone who has been in this world for many years, one year actually begins to look like the previous years. It seems there is nothing more to expect, to do and to look forward to. As another year passes, I strive to rekindle within me the sense of wonder inherent in a child, for time is God’s greatest gift to us.”

The archbishop emeritus of  Cebu  is the Philippines’ most senior prelate. He is still recovering from a bout with pneumonia  in October last year.

“Well, as usual, you can’t avoid birthdays,” he quipped during a visit of several well-wishers at his retirement house in Sto. Niño Village in Banilad, Cebu City.

Present were  Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Palo archbishop John Du, CBCP vice president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, other church leaders, religious sisters, Vidal’s benefactors and lay people.

Archbishop Valles told  Vidal that he was missed by everyone in Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

He thanked Vidal for  being being “the person who gives us stability, calmness and affirmation.”

He said even Pope Francis missed Cardinal Vidal when he visited the Philippines last month.

Palma  and Du said they wished the cardinal a  longer life for him to continue guiding priests and being an inspiration to all.

Palma said he looked forward to see Vidal preside over the  first communion mass during the International Eucharistic Congress in  January 2016.

Vidal was a little boy when he had his first communion during the first IEC in the Philippines in 1937.

Vidal, who  follows the news in TV and newspapers, told reporters he was  saddened by the death of  44 troopers of the Special Action Force in Mamasapno, Maguindano during a clash with   Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and  the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Maguindanao last January 25.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to recover from our sadness,” he said.

Vidal said he was disappointed with President Aquino’s response on TV because .

“I expected him to condemn what happened and how it happened,” said Vidal.

But asked if he believes the President should resign, the cardinal was noncomittal.

“I have no reason to say yes or no.  I’m no longer in office,” said the retired archbishop.

Last Oct. 18, 2014, Vidal was rushed to the hospital after he experienced irregular breathing.

He was diagnosed with  pneumonia and confined in the ICU for several days.

“I’m still recovering right now. At night, when I sleep, an oxygen tube is attached to my nose to help me breathe,” he said.

Vidal is being assisted by a  personal nurse and some nuns at his residence.

Vidal retired in 2011.

The cardinal was born on Feb. 6, 1931 in Mogpo, Marinduque.

He was installed as Cebu archbishop on Sept. 18, 1982.