Why apologize?

The Ambassador of the Holy See asked The Jakarta Post for an apology on the publication of an article published on April 6. I don't share the opinion of the archbishop, but would have found it more fitting had asked the writer of the said article for an exchange of opinions rather than an apology from the publisher!

The article for sure was published in many other newspapers all over the world and not many would follow the request for an apology as the Post did. Democratization efforts here in this country have led to freedom of the press, allowing that even the pope can be subject to criticism as in any other democracy and that each individual has the right to form his own judgment. Even if an opinion sometimes appears difficult to digest.

MANFRED WEBER, Jakarta