Bishop of Covington Issues Apology to Covington Kids, Their Families After Condemning Students Amid 'Pressure'

Ferlon Webster Jr. | January 28, 2019
DONATE
Font Size

The Bishop of Covington has apologized to students and their parents after the school condemned the actions of “the Covington Kids,” who the media falsely reported were harassing a Native American in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Roger Foys released a statement Friday afternoon, apologizing for not taking the time to understand what really took place at the March for Life event. The reverend blamed the hasty response on “pressure from all sides” demanding them to “make a statement.”

In the apology letter, Foys writes, in part:

We are sorry that this situation has caused such disruption in the lives of so many. We apologize to anyone who has been offended in any way by either of our statements which were made with good will based on the information we had. We should not have allowed ourselves to be bullied and pressured into making a statement prematurely, and we take full responsibility for it.

The premature statement the reverend is referring to was issued on Jan. 19. The Diocese of Covington rushed a response to appease the media’s outrage toward the Covington students, stating:

We condemn the actions of the Covington Catholic High School students towards Nathan Phillips specifically, and Native Americans in general, Jan. 18, after the March for Life, in Washington, D.C. We extend our deepest apologies to Mr. Phillips. This behavior is opposed to the Church's teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person.

Longer videos would soon be released that absolved the Covington students from displaying any malice toward the Native American, which led to the recent apology. 

Foys went on to explain the difficulties students and their families faced during this controversy, noting the death threats they encountered along with the bomb threats the school offices received.

“I especially apologize to Nicholas Sandmann and his family as well as to all CovCath families who have felt abandoned during this ordeal,” Foys stated. “Nicholas unfortunately has become the face of these allegations based on video clips. This is not fair. It is not just.”

The bishop concludes the letter showing his support for the Covington Principle, Mr. Robert Rowe, saying that those calling for his resignation did not know him. He went on to add that with “the grace of God” he prays “peace will once again reign in the hearts and minds of our faithful." 

Take a look at the video from WLWT:

H/T: The Blaze

donate