Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi, the Anglican priest at the center of the highly criticized public kissing of three teacher trainees at St. Monica’s College of Education, has apologized for his conduct.
Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi, the Chaplain, and lawyer at the all-female teacher training school was shown in a viral video fully clothed in his cassock, force-kissing three students in turn in front of an applauding crowd.
In one case, he was observed motioning to one of the females, who seemed to be extremely uncomfortable with the action, to remove her face mask before holding her head and kissing her on the lips.
The Chaplain in a statement issued on Thursday, August 19, 2021, said, “my attention has been drawn to a video that has been flashed on a number of social media and television screens, and on radio and other media stations. This unfortunate incident happened during a Church Service in appreciation of the Level 300 students, who will be going for their Macro Teaching (Off-Campus Teaching Practice) when college resumes the next academic year, by the College’s Chaplaincy Board.”
He said that the three kids in the video did very well and were therefore deserving of his praise.
“The scenario in the video was created as an effort to give a human touch,” he said.
“As a result, I truly apologize for the acts shown in the video. I seemed to have taken many things for granted. I did not think my behavior through, and I admit that the act and its setting are wrong even in the absence of Covid-19.”
He also apologized to the church’s leadership for the humiliation his activities had caused.
“I sincerely apologize to my Archbishop, the entirety of the Anglican Communion, the College, the affected students and their families, and the generality of the public.”
“I pray for forgiveness from all and sundry and plead that you hold me in your prayers during these trying times. May God bless all of us.”
The viral video, taken by an audience member, drew widespread criticism on social media, but a few individuals came to the Reverend father’s defense, characterizing his behavior as a “holy kiss.”
The Anglican Church of Ghana, which administers St. Monica’s College of Education, has voiced its displeasure with the event and said that it has launched its own internal inquiry into the issue.
Even before the inquiry is completed, the Rev. Father has been removed from his responsibilities at the school indefinitely.
The entire statement is provided below;
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