Rev. Father Balthazar Obeng Larbi, the Anglican Priest who was caught on camera kissing three of his students on the lips during a mass service has finally come out to apologize for his actions.
This follows his conduct receiving wild public condemnation, with calls for strict sanctions against the Rev. Father who has been working in the past 5-years as School Chaplain and Lawyer.
In an apology letter addressed to the Internal Province of the Ghana Anglican Communion, Rev. Father Obeng prayed for forgiveness from the affected students and their families, the Bishop of the Anglican Church, St. Monica College of Education, and the Church.
Further disclosing what informed his decision to kiss the students, Rev Obeng in his apology letter noted that his action was to “add a human touch” to appreciate Level 300 students who doubled as members of the school’s Chaplaincy Board. According to him, the students had performed extremely well.
“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 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 chaplaincy board. The three students seen in the video performed extraordinarily well and were therefore called to be appreciated by the Chaplin. An attempt to add a human touch resulted in what was seen 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 behavior through and I admit that the act and the setting are wrong even in the absence of Covid-19
“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”.
Rev. Father Obeng
Rev. Obeng concluded his apology letter pleading with Ghanaians to “hold me in your prayers during these times”
Rev. Father Obeng faces police investigations
Meanwhile, acting on the advice of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the authorities of St. Monica’s College of Education have lodged a case of sexual assault against Rev. Obeng.
The school authorities, led by the Acting Principal Venerable Dr. Okyere Korankye, have lodged a complaint with the Mampong Divisional Police Command.
The school’s management team and three victims of Rev. Fr. Larbi’s kissing expedition submitted written statements to the police on Friday 20th August 2021.
This comes on the back of the Anglican Church’s 5-member committee being tasked to investigate the conduct of Rev Fr. Larbi which starts its work next Monday.
That notwithstanding, the Mampong Divisional Commander, Chief Supt David Kwaku Amoako, has also confirmed the police have started investigations into this issue. He disclosed that the embattled priest has been invited by the police for questioning.
Rev. Father Obeng Larbi is expected to present himself for questioning later.
Read also: Jail Anglican Priest the same way you jailed Akuapem Poloo – Socialite charges Ghanaians
