Pope to send representative to Vidal’s funeral

MANILA, Philippines — Pope Francis will send his representative to the funeral of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal on Oct. 26. 

A message from the pope will also be read during the funeral mass.

Aside from the papal legate, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo and Manila Archbishop Emeritus Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales will attend the funeral mass and burial of Vidal at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

“While our beloved cardinal has died…we are  filled with thanksgiving to the Lord for giving us, for giving Cebu and…the Philippines a great man, a man of peace and a man of great love,” Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas yesterday.

Today, Vidal’s remains will be brought to the Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod at the archbishop’s residence in Cebu City in line with the fifth anniversary of the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod.  Vidal played an important role in the canonization.   

Vidal’s remains will be brought back to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral tomorrow.