Archbishop Vidal Retires

Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Vidal officially retires on 13 January 2011 as the Vatican announced the acceptance of his application for retirement four years hence. He became the prelate of the Archdiocese of Cebu on 18 September 1982. Late Pope John Paul II appointed him to the College of Cardinals, and attended the conclave which elected current Pope Benedict XVI on 18 April 2005.

Archbishop Vidal played a major role in the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 as president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). He mediated in the coup attempt from Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAFM) in 1989. And he became instrumental in the peaceful departure of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada at the height of EDSA Dos in 2001.

Archbishop Vidal is celebrating his 39th episcopal ordination anniversary on 30 November 2010. Turnover of ceremony will be held in the second week of January 2011 to Bishop Jose Palma, Archbishop of Palo. (Read more.)