[4][2] Vidal was ordained a deacon on September 24, 1955, and as a priest on March 17, 1956, on Lucena, Quezon Province, by Bishop Alfredo Obviar.

Vidal was a frequent collaborator with Bishop Teofilo Camomot and bore witness to the native Cebuano prelate's claimed miraculous deed.

[5] Vidal also helped found the Catechist Missionaries of St. Theresa, a Catholic religious congregation.

Vidal was President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1986 to 1987 and became Chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Clergy in 1989.

Vidal and the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila Jaime Sin supported the 1986 Philippine People Power Revolution.

[9] In 1989 President Corazon Aquino asked Vidal to convince General Jose Comendador, who was sympathetic to the rebel forces fighting her government, to surrender peacefully.

Vidal along with Senator Manny Villar and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. wrote a letter appealing to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to grant pardon to Estrada in the "spirit of national unity and reconciliation".

306: "It is resolved by the Senate, to honor Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, for his service to the people of Cebu, providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community avert or survive several crises and conflicts, often acting as a peacekeeper and giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views and interests in local and national issues.

During the necrological service at Vidal's wake, the Cebu City North District Representative, Raul del Mar, called on Catholic Church officials to work for the canonization of Vidal, whom he describes to have lived a life of holiness and noteworthy humility that is worthy of sainthood.

Among those who claim that the archbishop lived a holy life was Senator Vicente Sotto III, who said to the news reporters as he showed a rosary given to him by Vidal, "Now, I have a new friend in heaven.