Pope Francis said October 18, 2017, that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of Cardinal Ricardo Vital. And he noted the Cardinal’s “untiring and devoted service to the Church, and for his constant advocacy of dialogue and peace for all the people in the Philippines.”
The Holy Father’s condolences were expressed in a telegram to Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Cebu. Here is the telegram:
The Most Reverend Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu
Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, I extend my sincere condolences to you, and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Cebu. Joining with you in expressing profound gratitude for the late Cardinal’s untiring and devoted service to the Church, and for his constant advocacy of dialogue and peace for all the people in the Philippines, I commend his soul to the infinite love and mercy of our heavenly Father. As a pledge of consolation and hope in the Lord, to all who mourn his passing in the certain hope of the Resurrection, I willingly impart my Apostolic Blessing.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Cardinal Vidal’s Biography
Cardinal Ricardo J. Vidal, Archbishop emeritus of Cebu (Philippines), was born on February 6, 1931 in Mogpoc, Philippines. He did his studies at the minor seminary of the Most Holy Rosary (which later assumed the title of Our Lady of Carmel) and at the seminary of San Carlo. He was ordained on March 17, 1956. The Bishop of Lucena entrusted him as spiritual director of the local seminary of Mount Carmel. He then became superior of the same institute and was dedicated to the formation of the young candidates to priesthood until September 10, 1971, when he was named Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos, Bulacan, and was elected to the titular church of Claterna. He received episcopal ordination on November 30, 1971. On August 22, 1973 he was named Archbishop of Lipa in Batangas. On April 13, 1981 he was named Coadjutor with the right of succession to the Archbishop of Cebu, Cardinal Julio Rosales. He was named Archbishop on August 24, 1982. He served as president of the Bishops’ Commission for Vocations within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. He was also vice-president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and then president from 1985 to 1987. Archbishop emeritus of Cebu (Philippines), October 15, 2010. He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI. Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the Consistory of May 25, 1985, of the Title of Ss. Pietro e Paolo in Via Ostiense (Sts. Peter and Paul in Via Ostiense). On October 18, 2017 he died.
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