Well, Bishop Foys finally released a letter to Covington High's parents about the mess over his leap to judgment condemning Nick Sandmann and the Covington High kids for what happened at the Lincoln Memorial after the March for Life.
Before you get too excited praising the bishop for the letter, consider that he released it hours after receiving a "preservation of evidence demand" from top libel lawyer L. Lin Wood who hand delivered it Thursday evening. Wow, the diocesan lawyers must have been up all night penning the apology letter sent to the parents. Nothing like a little libel lawsuit threat to get the ball rolling, eh?
The apology letter has not replaced an earlier statement on the Covington website which was still up as of 30 seconds ago:
Before you get too excited praising the bishop for the letter, consider that he released it hours after receiving a "preservation of evidence demand" from top libel lawyer L. Lin Wood who hand delivered it Thursday evening. Wow, the diocesan lawyers must have been up all night penning the apology letter sent to the parents. Nothing like a little libel lawsuit threat to get the ball rolling, eh?
The apology letter has not replaced an earlier statement on the Covington website which was still up as of 30 seconds ago:
A statement from the Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School
On Monday afternoon the Covington Police alerted us that they had intelligence concerning a planned protest, Jan. 22, at Covington Catholic High School and a vigil at the Diocesan Curia. Due to threats of violence and the possibility of large crowds the Diocese was advised to close Covington Catholic High School, the Diocesan Curia and neighboring Covington Latin School. We thank law enforcement officers for their protection and will reopen when they say it is safe to do so.
Concerning the incident in Washington, D.C., between Covington Catholic students, Elder Nathan Phillips and Black Hebrew Israelites the independent, third-party investigation is planned to begin this week. This is a very serious matter that has already permanently altered the lives of many people. It is important for us to gather the facts that will allow us to determine what corrective actions, if any, are appropriate.Well, despite the fact that the investigation is not complete, the apology is now public (Thanks to the libel threat?). The bishop is "hoping" and has the "expectation" that the third party investigation will exonerate the students. I imagine he's nervous now what will happen if they don't.
We pray that we may come to the truth and that this unfortunate situation may be resolved peacefully and amicably and ask others to join us in this prayer.
We will have no further statements until the investigation is complete.
Take a look at the letter below for yourself. Personally, I had to laugh when I read this sentence: “We should not have allowed ourselves to be bullied and pressured into making a statement prematurely, and we take full responsibility for it.” Hmm..."bullied" and "pressured?" Is this an updated version of "the devil made me do it!" as in "The bullies made me do it!"
I'm tempted to say, "Man up, bishop!" What a way to "take full responsibility." Blame the bullies. Were they beating a drum in your face?
No doubt the Covington community is grateful for the bishop's letter even if it was only released because of legal threats. To his credit the bishop did visit the school earlier on January 23rd before the preservation of evidence demand.
We all make mistakes. But I'm still curious as to why a smiling kid is immediately thrown under the bus while Catholic pro-abortion politicians and other prominent Catholics publicly advocating abortion go unmolested.
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| Nice smirk, Bishop Stowe! |
On the other hand, could it be that most bishops are Democrats who hate Trump as much as the liberal left does? That certainly seems to be the case with Lexington Bishop John Stowe who condemned the kids for wearing MAGA hats which he tells us is "not pro-life" as he blasts the president. No surprise from a pro-gay bishop who endorses Fr. James Martin's heretical views. Does anyone think Bishop Stowe is pro-life? As my mom always said, "Birds of a feather flock together." and some dirty birds make a real mess wherever they go. I sure hope he's on Wood's list of libel targets.
Actually, Bishop Stowe, Trump has done more for the babies in the womb than any president since Roe v. Wade including Ronald Reagan. But we already know exactly what kind of bishop you are and don't expect much Catholic truth from your lips. We can tell all about you from the smirk on your face.
No wonder Catholics are angry at the hierarchy.
Exactly who bullied him? And on what other issues does he allow himself to be bullied?
ReplyDeleteImportant that the flock know.
"Bullied and pressured" sounded weird to me too.
ReplyDeleteWHO bullies a bishop? Who has enough power to pressure a bishop?
As terrible as his attack on these kids was, what about the deadly silence from the good ones? How many of of shepherds actually stepped forward to rescue the lambs from the wolves?
Spineless weasel.
ReplyDeleteBishop Foys threw one of his flock, a minor at that, under the bus. He needs to go, it's as simple as that.
ReplyDeleteI sent 2 kids through Catholic elementary and high school. It's not cheap and if our bishop had said something like that about my kids, their education would have been free for the rest of their school days. I can guarantee that.
Bishop Foys' performance in this whole episode has been, and continues to be, a disgrace.
ReplyDelete1. The immediate statement was, of course, disgraceful.
2. I'm sure there's an element of truth to his "apology" in that people were looking to him and the diocese for a statement. But the admission that he lacked a spine, and simply caved to that "pressure," is not a justification. It is a damning excuse for a person whose job is to lead, not to follow. Frankly, it's little more than "woe-is-me" whining.
3. Once the reality of the situation became clear, the bishop's response was to ... wait for it ... go into hiding. Again, not exactly a profile in courage. Instead, a total shutdown of diocesan communications for days. In short, the lazy cowardice of his initial screwups not only directly affected the kids, but literally had an adverse effect on the broader operations of the church. That is a point that has been somewhat lost in this whole affair, and a shameful one at that.
4. And now this half-hearted and mealy-mouthed letter. I don't think much of it as an apology.
5. Worse yet, he trots it out to kick off Catholic Schools Week. If you really want a good laugh, take a look at what is currently the only working link on the diocesan website -- to its Messenger newspaper. What an amazingly ironic juxtaposition between the bishop throwing kids and a school under the bus, and still not really apologizing, while simultaneously issuing a "special edition" trying to promote Catholic schools. Yeah, good luck with that. For starters, at a minimum, I think he should prostrate himself before the entire student body and their families. This week.
I don't think this sort of incompetent toady clown is necessarily what the Holy Father has in mind when he decries clericalism. But it's what I have in mind.