Archdiocese says sorry for causing confusion

The Archdiocese of Cebu issued a public apology yesterday over the confusion caused when Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal read the statement prepared by the National Transformation Council (NTC) calling for President Aquino to step down following the Mamasapano tragedy.

Msgr. Jose Tan, archdiocese media liaison officer, said the issue had generated negative reactions following media reports that Vidal has joined the call.

“I, in fact, apologized to the people for creating confusion that has evolved in some angry reactions. I understand that from a human perspective. I hope that now the issue is clear,” Tan said in a radio interview.

Earlier Tan called the attention of the NTC to deny its Facebook page post that said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was among those who joined the resignation calls.

“Sa ngan sa Archdiocese, ako mopadangat sa among apologies to any anybody who took offense nga nalain sa kadtong perceived nga gi-ingon nga nanawagan ta nga mo-undang ang Aquino administration. Pasaylo-a mi kon naa mi sentimento nga migawas nga wa pa namo ma-clarify…”

(In the name of the Archdiocese, I convey our apologies to anybody who was offended by the perception that he called on the president to step down. Forgive us if there were sentiments aired that we weren’t able to clarify).
Tan said the church in Cebu did not take it against anybody angered by the reports.

“For this season (of Lent) also, I respect all their sentiments . We do not take it against anybody if they have spoken like that… be it against the church or against the bishops because this is just a reaction to this time of confusion,” Tan added.

Tan made this appeal to the NTC: “In behalf of the Archdiocese, please avoid any semblance of misrepresentation’.

Misunderstood

Vidal declined to be interviewed yesterday.

His private secretary , Fr. Joseph de Aquino who faced reporters, said the retired prelate was aware of the angry public reactions over his reading the NTC statement.

“He keeps telling me that he was misunderstood. I really pity him. I told him, Your Eminence, among those present during that meeting, you are the cardinal there. And so, they will really quote you. With your position, you become the face of that gathering.

And he told me ‘I understand.’”

Fr. Aquino said the 84-year-old cardinal, who is recovering from a bout with pneumonia, said he was surprised by the reactions after he read the NTC statement in a press conference at his home with six other bishops standing behind him.

“I showed him the newspapers the day after, and I told him what I heard over the radio. And His Eminence said he’s sad about the tone of the reports, De Aquino said.

“He told me that he was just reading the statement of the National Transformation Council (NTC), and that the contents were not his personal stand on the matter.”

Reporters yesterday went to Vidal’s retirement house at Sto. Niño Village but the cardinal declined to grant interviews, saying what the Cebu Archdiocese has said on the matter is enough.

Last Friday, Vidal read a three-page statement given to him by the NTC at a press conference following a post-birthday celebration at his home.

As at least five Catholic bishops and NTC members stood behind him, Vidal read the statement which include calls for President Aquino to step down from office.

Fr De Aquino said Vidal felt bad about what happened but understands both NTC and the media.

“He said he’s not blaming anybody and that he understands your work. I relayed to him comments of some people over the radio.

He’s hurt. But he knows the reality because he’s been there for a long time,” he said.

De Aquino, who has served as secretary to the cardinal for several years advised groups and individuals not to take advantage of the cardinal, who welcomes and listens to anyone.

“We know how good and accommodating the cardinal is. You know him very well. Please let us not use this in a bad light,” he said.

“If another group will visit the cardinal and express their support for the president to stay at his post, I’m sure Cardinal Vidal will listen to them. And if they would ask him to read a statement in favor of the president, he will still do it. That’s how accommodating he is. That is why he’s prone to being abused because he could not say no to somebody coming,” he said.

Asked what the personal stand of Vidal is on calls for the president to resign, De Aquino said “he would rather keep it to himself.”
De Aquino said the controversial statement which Vidal read was given by NTC before the luncheon last Friday.

“That morning, I had breakfast with him. He showed me the statement and asked me to please read it. He thought that was his speech. But I told him, Your Eminence, this is not yours. This is the stand of the group. And he said ‘Ah ganun ba?,’” he said.

“He read it later on. But even before that, he’s been saying that he’s not in a position to call for the president to resign. He knew that the word ‘stepping down’ was in that statement. But what could he do? He just read it because that’s the stand of NTC,” he added.

Confusing report

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, faxed a handwritten statement to clarify his position. He was still in Pangasinan to celebrate the elevation of the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine to a minor basilica.

Palma said he saw the “urgency” to clarify “confusing reports” on calls for President Aquino to resign. The archbishop was at Vidal’s home last Friday to officiate Mass and celebrate his birthday.

“In the statement which the cardinal read after lunch, it was very clear that he did not categorically say and express his desire and support for the resignation of the president. His statement concluded with an appeal to all bishops and religious leaders of faith-based communities to pray to God for guidanceand renewal of the nation,” Palma said.

He reiterated the Church’s stand to never issue political statements that could cause division among its flock.

“The Church respects the opinions and sentiments of citizens who are calling for the president’s resignation. However, the church is not in the position to issue such political statement for it is beyond its competence,” he said.

Palma also said the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines had already issued a statement which “denies any moral support for those who are calling for the president to step down from office.”

“It is my hope and prayer that, through this letter, confusing reports which have been widespread by now will be cleared and clarified. As your humble pastor, I join you and all people of goof will in praying together for truth and peace in our country these days,” he said.

Msgr. Tan, media liaison officer, said all the Catholic Church could do is to remind people on what is good or bad, including the political aspect of matters.

“The ministry of the Church is to become a mother for all people. Having the sentiments of a mother, its stand is always for the good of everyone. Political can be an area where church can be directly involved with through values formation,” he said.

“The Church should not support a particular government or go against a particular government. The Church respects the freedom and consciences of her children and is very respectful of human freedom. We could not say which is the proper government or not because by doing so, we become a dictator. And we don’t want that to happen,” he added.