Cardinal Ricardo J. Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu (Philippines), was born on February 6, 1931 in Mogpoc, Philippines. He did his studies at the minor seminary of the Most Holy Rosary (which later assumed the title of Our Lady of Carmel) and at the seminary of San Carlo.

He was ordained on March 17, 1956. The Bishop of Lucena entrusted him as spiritual director of the local seminary of Mount Carmel. He then became superior of the same institute and was dedicated to the formation of the young candidates to priesthood until September 10, 1971, when he was named Coadjutor Bishop of Malolos, Bulacan, and was elected to the titular church of Claterna. He received episcopal ordination on November 30, 1971. On August 22, 1973 he was named Archbishop of Lipa in Batangas.

On April 13, 1981 he was named Coadjutor with the right of succession to the Archbishop of Cebu, Cardinal Julio Rosales. He was named Archbishop on August 24, 1982.

He served as president of the Bishops’ Commission for Vocations within the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. He was also vice-president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and then president from 1985 to 1987.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of May 25, 1985, of the Title of Sts. Peter and Paul in Via Ostiense.

Curial membership:

• Evangelization of Peoples, Catholic Education (congregations)
• Health-Care Workers, Family (councils)