Embattled Anglican Chaplain of St. Monica’s College of Education, Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi has apologised for his actions.
The Priest was seen in a viral video fully dressed in his cassock, force-kissing three students in turns, in the full glare of a cheering audience.
The first two kisses got the congregants screaming with excitement. However, the third female student before and during the act showed some form of hesitation, but was still kissed by the alleged Anglican Priest in question.
In a statement released by Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi, said, “My attention has been drawn to a video which 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 would be going for their Macro Teaching (Off-Campus Teaching Practice) when College resumed the next academic year, by the College’s Chaplaincy Board.”
He said, “This unfortunate incident happened during a Church Service in appreciation of the Level 300 students who would be going for their Macro Teaching (Off-Campus Teaching Practice) when College resumed the next academic year, by the College’s Chaplaincy Board.”
According to him, “the three students seen in the video performed extraordinarily well and were therefore called to be appreciated by the Chaplain. An attempt to add a human touch resulted in the scene in the video.”
He further apologised to the leadership of the church for the embarrassment his actions has caused.
The School’s Chaplain has been relieved of his duties at the school indefinitely.
Read the FULL statement below.
Re: Incident Occurring at St. Monica’s College of Education
My attention has been drawn to a video which 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 would be going for their Macro Teaching (Off-Campus Teaching Practice) when College resumed the next academic year, by the College’s Chaplaincy Board.
The three students seen in the video performed extraordinarily well and were therefore called to be appreciated by the Chaplain. An attempt to add a human touch resulted in the scene in the video.
Accordingly, I am sincerely sorry for my actions seen in the video. I seemed to have taken a number of things for granted. I did not think my behaviour through and I admit that the act and its setting are wrong in the absence of Covid-19.
I sincerely apologise 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 this trying times. May God bless us all.
Thank you.
Rev. Fr. B Obeng Larbi
Father Baltharzzar Obeng Larbi
