Vidal sees fair trial by Senate

CEBU — Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is confident the Senate will rise above partisan politics and be fair in judging President Estrada in his coming impeachment trial.

"I have confidence in the Senate," Vidal said when interviewed after celebrating Mass for the 6th Pastoral Assembly of the archdiocese at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.

He said he hopes the Senate will not break the trust of the people.

"I have confidence in the senators...I hope that they will be true to their word and not break the trust that we have given them," Vidal said.

Vidal has adopted a different line than most bishops in the country regarding the President, who recently got impeached and is to stand trial before the Senate on corruption charges.

Most bishops are demanding that Mr. Estrada resign for accepting millions of pesos in bribes from gambling lords and for his ostentatious display of wealth by building mansions for his alleged mistresses.

This almost solitary stance among members of the clergy, for which Vidal was ostracized by some sectors, has obviously taken its toll on the aging and tired cardinal and he said so himself in his homily before priests and lay people from the archdiocese.

In that homily, Vidal said he felt as if he was already overstaying as Cebu archbishop.

"There is still so much for us to do and we know too well that there is so little time to do it. I am not growing any younger myself. As archbishop of Cebu for exactly 18 years and 67 days since Sept. 2, 1982, I feel I am already overstaying. But God’s will be done," he said.

When sought for an explanation by reporters afterwards, Vidal admitted, "I am growing a bit older."

While he did not say if he was retiring, Vidal thanked the reporters as if he was already doing so.

"I would like to thank you. In my 18-year term as Cebu archbishop, you have been very kind to me," Vidal said.

The 69-year-old prelate has been hounded by criticisms from opposition groups seeking Mr. Estrada’s ouster which find his stand on the issue too neutral.

Gov. Pablo Garcia defended Vidal’s position, saying he understands the cardinal’s decision to stay neutral. — Freeman News Service