VIDAL, PEDRO. - Jesuit, canonist, b. at Igualada (diocese of Barcelona) on 20 July 1867, d. at Rome on 24 Oct. 1938.
Having entered the Order in 1884, he was sent, after completing his studies, to Rome to devote himself to canon law under the guidance of Fr. Fr. S. Wernz. After obtaining a brilliant doctorate, he returned to Tortosa to teach dogmatic theology, remaining there until 1906, when Fr. Wernz, elected general of the Order, wished him to succeed him at the Gregorian University in Rome. There he remained for 32 years, until the end of his life. His work as a member of the Commission for the codification of canon law (1908), and later of that for the authentic interpretation of the CIC (1918); the numerous consultations for six Roman congregations of which he was consultor (for the Holy Office alone he resolved 300 cases); and, moreover, the many other private consultations did not leave him much time for the composition of individual works; he nevertheless agreed to bring up to date, in accordance with the CIC, new decrees, and the progress of studies, the monumental work left by Fr. Wernz: Ius decretalium.
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