Ricardo Tito Jamin Vidal (Latin: Ricardus Titus Vidal; Spanish: Ricardo Tito Vidal y Jamín; (February 6, 1931 – October 18, 2017) was a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church. Made a cardinal in 1985, he was Archbishop of Cebu from 1982 to 2010.
Early life and education
Vidal was born on February 6, 1931, in Mogpog, Marinduque[2] to Faustino S. Vidal of Pila, Laguna, and Natividad Jamin of Mogpog,[1] the fifth of six siblings. In 1937, Vidal received his first communion at the International Eucharistic Celebration.[3] He attended Mogpog Elementary School for his primary education.[2]
Vidal studied at the Minor Seminary of the Most Holy Rosary (now Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary) in Sariaya, Quezon, and at the Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Lipa, Batangas, where he studied philosophy. He also studied theology at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati, Metro Manila.[4][2]
Ministry
Vidal was ordained a deacon on September 24, 1955, and as a priest on March 17, 1956, on Lucena, Quezon Province, by Bishop Alfredo Obviar.[2] Vidal became the spiritual director of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary in Sariaya, Quezon.
He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos on November 30, 1971[2] and was consecrated bishop by Archbishop Carmine Rocco, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines. Less than two years later, he was appointed Archbishop of Lipa by Pope Paul VI. Pope John Paul II appointed Vidal Coadjutor Archbishop of Cebu in 1981 and he became archbishop there on August 24, 1982, succeeding Cardinal Julio Rosales.
Vidal was a frequent collaborator with Bishop Teofilo Camomot and bore witness to the native Cebuano prelate's claimed miraculous deed.[5] Vidal also helped found the Catechist Missionaries of St. Theresa, a Catholic religious congregation.
In 1989 President Corazon Aquino asked Vidal to convince General Jose Comendador, who was sympathetic to the rebel forces fighting her government, to surrender peacefully. His intervention averted what could have been a bloody coup.[10]
In 2001, during the 2001 People Power Revolution Vidal convinced President Joseph Estrada to step down.[11] Estrada was later detained. Vidal along with Senator Manny Villar and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. wrote a letter appealing to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to grant pardon to Estrada in the "spirit of national unity and reconciliation". Estrada was pardoned and released from detention on October 26, 2007.[12]
Later life and death
Vidal receives the mano gesture of respect from newly-elected president Rodrigo Duterte on July 13, 2016.
Pope Benedict XVI accepted Vidal's resignation as Archbishop of Cebu on October 15, 2010. He was succeeded by Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Palo.
In retirement, Vidal lived in Sto. Niño Village in Cebu City. He continued presiding at Masses and attending events organized by the Archdiocese of Cebu. He underwent a coronary angiogram procedure and had a pacemaker installed in 2004. He experienced a mild stroke on September 23, 2013. He was confined to the hospital multiple times beginning in 2014 for pneumonia. He was confined in a hospital in May 2017 for the same illness, given the Catholic sacrament of anointing of the sick on October 11, and died on October 18.[13]
Recognition
Vidal received recognition from the government. On December 7, 2010, the Senate of the Philippines recognized his service to Cebu by Senate Resolution NO. 306: "It is resolved by the Senate, to honor Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, for his service to the people of Cebu, providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community avert or survive several crises and conflicts, often acting as a peacekeeper and giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views and interests in local and national issues."[14]
He also received recognition from the House of Representatives through House Resolution 593.[15] The Province of Cebu gave the highest award that a province could give, the Order of Lapu-lapu.[16] The cities of Cebu and Talisay made him an "adopted son" of the two localities.[17] In March 2009 the University of the Visayas granted him the title of Doctor of Humanities honoris causa.[18]
Calls for canonization
There have been calls for Vidal to be proclaimed a saint.[19] Vidal was influential in pushing for the canonization of several Filipinos, especially Pedro Calungsod. Filipino Catholics have been urging that Vidal receive the same honor. During the necrological service at Vidal's wake, the Cebu City North District Representative, Raul del Mar, called on Catholic Church officials to work for the canonization of Vidal, whom he describes to have lived a life of holiness and noteworthy humility that is worthy of sainthood. Among those who claim that the archbishop lived a holy life was Senator Vicente Sotto III, who said to the news reporters as he showed a rosary given to him by Vidal, "Now, I have a new friend in heaven. He is praying for me."[20]
