A man who “Walks his talk”: Cardinal Vidal dies

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu and the Catholic Church lost one of their longest-serving leaders with the passing of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal Wednesday morning.

Vidal was 86.

Msgr. Joseph Tan, media liaison officer of the Cebu archdiocese, said the most senior cardinal in the Philippines passed away at 7:26 a.m. at the intensive care unit of the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH) in Cebu City where he was confined for a week.

Tan said Vidal succumbed to septic shock, an infection disease that can cause multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (formerly known as multiple organ failure), and even death.

“His body gave in to infection because of old age, because of the weakening condition of his [stamina], and because of many years of medication… we were hopeful that he would be able to fight this out for months or years but finally the body just decided to let go,” Tan said.

Vidal also frequented the hospital because of pneumonia.

It was at the PSH where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. When the illness resurged in August, he was sent to the Chinese General Hospital in Manila. Dawn on October 11, he was rushed to PSH due to fever and difficulty in breathing.

Two days after his confinement, Vidal experienced septic shock and could no longer recognize those who visited him at the hospital.

Doctors found out later that his infection went worse but the cause was unknown.

Vidal’s condition still stabilized and doctors continued to monitor his heart and blood pressure closely.

He also underwent dialysis twice to clear his blood of infection, Tan said.

Tan said that after seeing doctors last Tuesday, Vidal still thought he would live for two months more but the septic shock occurred again yesterday, which affected his heart. At this point, doctors could no longer revive him.

Vidal was appointed Archbishop of Cebu in 1982 until he retired in January 2011. He decided to stay in Cebu City at his retirement house.

Even after retirement, he remained active in religious activities of the Cebu Archdiocese, including in the beatification of the late Archbishop Teofilo Camomot and the 51st International Eucharistic Congress, which was held in Cebu City in 2016.

Thousands visited the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on the first night of Vidal’s wake.

In a Mass he celebrated for the late prelate last night, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma described Vidal as “generous, gentle, and fatherly” and someone who “walks his talk."

"On the last week of his life, (I have seen) how self-sacrificing he is… even if he passed away, his inspiration, his advice, (and) his example continues to be our guide in our faith," he said.

Church leaders are yet to meet for funeral arrangements. (FREEMAN)