Tuesday, April 01, 2008 Speak Out: K of C breaks silence By The Knights of Columbus Mabolo Council
THE Knights of Columbus (K of C) Visayas State Jurisdiction finally decided to air its views on the matter of Mr. Jun Lozada, star witness of the ZTE controversy. This is pertaining Mr. Lozada’s lamentable personal remarks against Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
In its decision to go public, the K of C took careful consideration on its stand since the beloved Cardinal has already forgiven Mr. Lozada.
His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal is the chaplain of the Visayas Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus. Unarguably, it is true that Cardinal Vidal, being a person, has on occasions, spoken some things that drew contrasting public opinion. Yet, being a doctor of divinity, this mortal of a man is no ordinary person. So much so that in spite of his own earthly shortcomings, our love and respect for him have never waned. It increases even more especially when the Archdiocese is faced with brewing questions and mock criticisms.
We, the K of C, will leave Mr. Lozada in peace for whatever he and his entourage do for their own agenda. They can tour the whole world and speak on the subject of truth and justice. But prayerfully, it is hoped that when this group runs out of ideas, they won’t resort to name-calling, more so against a man of peace. Branding the well-loved Cardinal Vidal with some witty-naughty descriptions is no laughing matter. This is an insult to the Vatican itself.
For flimsiest reasons, Mr. Lozada and a colleague called the Cardinal ‘Archdiocese of Malacañang’ and ‘a congressman in cassock’ during Mr. Lozada’s flopped visit in Cebu recently. The two accused the Cardinal of having a hand in the group’s failure to arrange for a holy mass at the right place and at the right time. Mr. Lozada recanted later, saying he was merely joking.
We, therefore, strongly ask Mr. Lozada and Ms. Lea Navarro to apologize to all who felt heartbroken by their imprudent remarks here. Not all of us can take it and not all are as forgiving as the Cardinal himself.
