Enjoy being a child, Vidal tells kid reporters

“ENJOY your childhood.”

This was the advice of retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to two “kiddie reporters” from Our Lady of Joy Learning Center last Friday afternoon.

The prelate, who turns 81 today, shared his reflection on the first year of his retirement as Cebu archbishop, his priesthood and his “birthday wish.”

School director Mary Rose Maghuyop accompanied Mary Janeth Malinao, 9, and Fiona Mae Tabalba, 8, to the prelate’s residence.

The visit, said Maghuyop, was aimed at implementing an alternative teaching method of allowing students to meet people outside of the school premises.

Malinao, who hopes to become a journalist some day, asked Cardinal Vidal, “What are your wishes on your birthday?”

“My wish is that I can still continue doing the will of God in my own situation of retirement. That I can continue to serve the people as long as I am strong enough to do it,” Vidal said.

“What gifts do you want to receive on your birthday?” was Malinao’s second question, to which Vidal said “prayers.”

The second “reporter” was Tabalba who wants to become a religious nun when she grows up.

“What inspired you to become a priest?” asked Tabalba.

“First of all, I was not intending to become a priest. But the Lord led me to the seminary where I learned how to become a priest. I was attracted to the life in the seminary, especially (the) study, discipline, games and regularity. Then I was attracted to the priesthood,” said Vidal.

Report from Sun.Star