From the Website of CBCP
From: https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/though-shalt-not-bear-false-witness-cardinal-david-backs-svd-priest/
From: https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/though-shalt-not-bear-false-witness-cardinal-david-backs-svd-priest/
‘Though shalt not bear false witness’: Cardinal David backs SVD priest
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David voiced support for Society of the Divine Word (SVD) priest Fr. Flaviano “Fr. Flavie” Villanueva, describing him as a compassionate and credible servant of the poor whose ministry has long been marked by integrity and respect for human dignity.
In a statement Saturday, the Kalookan bishop joined the SVD community in defending Villanueva, who was accused during a Senate hearing of receiving money allegedly linked to kickbacks from flood control projects.
The allegation was raised during a June 4 rump Senate hearing, where a group of 18 former soldiers claimed Villanueva received money, but questions later emerged over errors and inconsistencies in their testimony.
Among the disputed claims was an assertion that Villanueva received funds from an SVD church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City. The SVD community, however, said no such church exists.
The religious congregation has since vowed to pursue legal action against Villanueva’s accusers, calling the allegations false and defamatory.
David said Villanueva’s ministry has consistently been characterized by compassion, integrity and a profound respect for human life.
“I have known Fr. Flavie for many years and have witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to the human dignity of the poorest of the poor, especially the families of victims of violence and those who often have no one else to accompany them in their suffering,” he said.
Villanueva worked closely with the Diocese of Kalookan to provide psychosocial and spiritual support to families of extrajudicial killing victims during the Duterte administration.
David, a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, stressed that accusations must be supported by evidence.
“No person’s good name should be destroyed by unsubstantiated accusations,” he said.
The cardinal said he found it difficult to believe that “a man whose life and work have earned the respect of so many, including the recognition bestowed upon him by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation after its own rigorous vetting process, would suddenly be reduced to the caricature painted by reckless allegations.”
Reiterating his support for the priest, he expressed hope that truth, fairness and due process would prevail.
“I stand with Fr. Flavie. I pray that truth, fairness, and due process will prevail, and that those who have dedicated their lives to serving the poor and defending human dignity will not be silenced or discredited by unfounded accusations,” David said.
In a statement Saturday, the Kalookan bishop joined the SVD community in defending Villanueva, who was accused during a Senate hearing of receiving money allegedly linked to kickbacks from flood control projects.
The allegation was raised during a June 4 rump Senate hearing, where a group of 18 former soldiers claimed Villanueva received money, but questions later emerged over errors and inconsistencies in their testimony.
Among the disputed claims was an assertion that Villanueva received funds from an SVD church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City. The SVD community, however, said no such church exists.
The religious congregation has since vowed to pursue legal action against Villanueva’s accusers, calling the allegations false and defamatory.
David said Villanueva’s ministry has consistently been characterized by compassion, integrity and a profound respect for human life.
“I have known Fr. Flavie for many years and have witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to the human dignity of the poorest of the poor, especially the families of victims of violence and those who often have no one else to accompany them in their suffering,” he said.
Villanueva worked closely with the Diocese of Kalookan to provide psychosocial and spiritual support to families of extrajudicial killing victims during the Duterte administration.
David, a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, stressed that accusations must be supported by evidence.
“No person’s good name should be destroyed by unsubstantiated accusations,” he said.
The cardinal said he found it difficult to believe that “a man whose life and work have earned the respect of so many, including the recognition bestowed upon him by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation after its own rigorous vetting process, would suddenly be reduced to the caricature painted by reckless allegations.”
Reiterating his support for the priest, he expressed hope that truth, fairness and due process would prevail.
“I stand with Fr. Flavie. I pray that truth, fairness, and due process will prevail, and that those who have dedicated their lives to serving the poor and defending human dignity will not be silenced or discredited by unfounded accusations,” David said.
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