IN assuming his new role as president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma again paid homage to his predecessor.
After a formal turnover ceremony at the CBCP headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, last Wednesday, Palma immediately flew back to Cebu City to attend the 40th episcopal anniversary of Cardinal Vidal.
During the pontifical Mass held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday morning, Palma asked Vidal to head 鈥渁t least two鈥� committees of the CBCP, one of which will work on the canonization of the Blessed Pedro Calungsod.
Calungsod is the first Visayan martyr whose cause for sainthood is now being reviewed by Pope Benedict XVI.
Palma said the CBCP needs Vidal鈥檚 鈥渆xperience, expertise and influence鈥� in dealing with quite a number of issues.
鈥淲e appreciate your (Vidal) ministry. You have been a loving and caring father. We should never miss that experience, expertise and influence,鈥� said Palma who was installed as the fourth archbishop of the Cebu Archdiocese last Jan. 13.
Despite his frail condition, the 81-year-old Vidal told Palma and the congregation that he 鈥渁ccepts the challenge.鈥�
In an interview after the Mass, Vidal welcomed any work he may be given by the CBCP though he has retired.
鈥淚f they still need me, I can help in whatever way that the Lord has given me. That is my motto now,鈥� Vidal said.
While he admitted to experiencing physical pain, the prelate said he could still make a difference.
鈥淣evertheless, I can still walk. I鈥檓 still alive, I鈥檓 still sane and (I can still travel),鈥� Vidal said.
Vidal served as CBCP president from 1986 to 1987 when People Power ousted then president Ferdinand Marcos.
His advice to Palma? 鈥淲ork hard. There are many things that they have to decide. I would try to help out,鈥� Vidal said.
Palma replaced Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar as the president of the influential CBCP.
A Cebuano priest, Rev. Fr. Marvin Mejia, will also assume the post as assistant secretary general of the CBCP.
He will reside in the CBCP headquarters while Palma will be based in Cebu City.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas shall also assume his post as vice president. Dumaguete Bishop John Du, a Cebuano, will be CBCP鈥檚 treasurer.
In marking 40 years of service, Vidal called on fellow priests to remain faithful to the Lord and to be always ready to serve God鈥檚 flock anytime and anywhere.
He said priests should seek out God鈥檚 flock even if at times they are unwanted.
鈥淭he true measure of the priest is not how sought-after he is in celebrating Masses everywhere, but how he seeks for his flocks even if they close their doors to him,鈥� the prelate explained.
Vidal said the Lord will judge everyone by how one served the least of his or her brethren.
鈥淚 have loved the priesthood even before my ordination. It is what kept me going despite the difficulties of seminary life,鈥� Vidal said.
Vidal was ordained bishop by the late Archbishop Carmine Rocco, who was Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines from 1967 to 1973 on Nov. 30, 1971.
Since his ordination as bishop, Vidal has been assigned to the dioceses of Malolos and Lipa and was coadjutor archbishop of Cebu on April 13, 1981.
He succeeded as archbishop of Cebu the following year.
Vidal, who was born in Mogpog, Marinduque, was elevated to the College of Cardinal in May 1985.