Seated on a 19th-century brass-cladded wooden chair, the cardinal listens to a message being delivered by Archbishop Jose Palma on the eve prior to the cardinal’s 80th birthday.

After 29 years of faithfully serving the archdiocese, Cardinal Vidal finally turned over the reins of his office to Archbishop Jose S. Palma who was appointed on October 15, 2010. The inauguration which followed solemn ancient church rituals was held at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on January 14, 2011.

The cardinal formally bestows the title of Papal Chaplain to a priest.

The Cardinal waits in his seat while the new monsignori dress in their new garb. Photo shot during the ceremonies for the bestowing of the title of Papal Chaplain and the conferring of the title of Knights of the Order of St. Sylvester.

On August 22, 2010, the cardinal bestowed the title of “Papal Chaplain” to ten priests. Four lay leaders were also conferred the title of Knights of the Order of St. Sylvester. A week earlier, 32 individuals were also awarded the Papal Cross for their undying service to the Catholic Church.

The main altar retablo of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. The cathedral underwent renovation in late 2008 in preparation for the 75th anniversary of Cebu as an archdiocese on April 28, 2009. One of the improvements was the installation of three new altar retablos. The retablos were crafted by Vitreartus Liturgical Arts, a Filipino company based in Laguna. The retablos are some of the tangible legacies of the cardinal during his administration.

Details of the pipe organ of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. The pipe organ was crafted by Diego Cera Organbuilders, a Filipino company based in Las Piñas, Metro Manila. It is one of the tangible legacies of the cardinal to his church.

The cardinal gets seated ready to autograph copies of his third book entitled A Voice for the Flock. The book is a select compilation of his various homilies through the years including one delivered during the requiem mass for former Philippine President Corazon Aquino.

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the third archbishop of Cebu, on his 79th birthday and launching of his third book entitled A Voice for the Flock at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu.

The cardinal affixes his signature in one of the copies of his newly launched book which contains a select compilation of his homilies over the years. The book entitled A Voice for the Flock was launched at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu which also coincided with his 79th birthday.