Bishop Larry Silva, the head of Hawai'i's Catholic community, made the right decision to end his silence on the sale of 850 affordable housing units at Kukui Gardens.

Simply by telling the Catholic leaders who sit on Kukui Gardens' controlling board that reconsidering the sale is the "morally correct thing to do," Silva has shown leadership in the battle for affordable housing in downtown Honolulu.

To date, the five board members — all leaders of St. Francis Healthcare System and the Marianist Center of Hawai'i which represent Chaminade University and St. Louis School — have voted for a $130 million sale to Carmel Partners of San Francisco.

It's a windfall profit based on a low-cost loan from HUD that came in exchange for providing affordable housing. Most of the proceeds will go to the organizations of the voting board members. But it also means the loss of those rare affordable housing units.

Residents have sued to fight eviction. Gov. Linda Lingle has threatened her own lawsuit. The Legislature made eminent domain an option.

Now Silva's moral factor adds yet another reason to rethink the sale.

In a letter to the Kukui Gardens board members dated Oct. 26, the bishop was sensitive to the perception that the "church is more interested in gaining financial benefit for itself than in being a champion for the rights of the poor."

Silva wants the board to consider a new offer that has come in from Devine and Gong, a non-profit dedicated to affordable housing that could put together a deal for about $100 million. That would mean accepting less money, but it's an idea that merits consideration.

"I think all of us would benefit if the Kukui Gardens board demonstrated to the community that it truly is committed to serving the poor and the common good," Silva wrote.

He's right. The issue of affordable housing — though political and economic — is also one of social responsibility. By addressing this, the bishop has taken a crucial first step toward exploring other options in the sale of Kukui Gardens.