The embattled Anglican priest who was spotted in a viral video publicly kissing three teacher trainees at the St. Monica’s College of Education, Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi, has apologized for his actions.

In an official communique, Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi admitted wrongdoing in his action and apologised to the entirety of the Anglican Communion, the College, the affected students their families, and the generality of the public.

“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,” he said.

According to the Anglican Priest, “the 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.

He added, ” 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 through my behaviour and I admit that the act and its setting are wrong even in the absence of Covid-19.

“I pray for forgiveness from all and sundry and plead that you hold me in your prayers during these trying times. May God bless us all,”

Background:

The Anglican priest at the centre of the kissing controversy, Father Balthazar Obeng was seen kissing three female students in St Monica’s College of Education in Asante Mampong.

However, the third lady seemed unwilling but eventually gave in to the deed.

Consequently, the Anglican Church of Ghana sacked him  after five years of service.

Some civil society organizations say the priest should be prosecuted in accordance with Ghana Education Service’s (GES) anti-sexual harassment policy.

Education think tank, Africa Education Watch appalled by his gesture, followed up with a petition to the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to investigate the Anglican priest for openly kissing female students of school and apply sanctions where necessary.