The hits keep coming for the boys of Covington Catholic high school. Over the weekend, the students suffered brutal threats and malicious smears from the media and celebrities because an attention-seeking member of the American Indian Movement told several lies about what had happened.
In short, Nathan Phillips, a member of the Omaha tribe who claimed to be a “Vietnam times” veteran, cried on camera while claiming that he was surrounded by boys from the high school; claimed that they chanted “build that wall”; claimed that he was afraid of them because they wouldn’t let him retreat; claimed that he was singing a prayer for peace; and claimed that he maneuvered himself between the students and members of the Black Hebrew Israelis because the students were becoming aggressive with them. All of this is false and has been proved false by the full range of video that has become available to the public. See here for proof of Phillips’ lies.
Following the shameful attacks on the character of the boys of Covington Catholic, at least three bishops rushed to judge them as well. Their own bishop, Bishop Robert Foys, immediately condemned the boys, apologized to Phillips, and stated that an investigation had been initiated, which could lead to expulsions. After that, the Archdiocese of Baltimore issued its own condemnation, as did Archbishop Kurtz. See here for a fuller explanation of how the bishops’ actions have fueled the vitriolic frenzy against the boys.
In an email sent to parents at 7:10pm last night, Covington Catholic principle Bob Rowe discussed security concerns and procedures. Listed among the new procedures was a restriction of entrance to the school, admitting ONLY students, faculty and staff. Parents could be admitted only if they had a scheduled appointment.
In the interest of maintaining the integrity of the school’s security process, we’ve reduced the email to only the portions relevant to this story:
Dear Parents,
Over the course of the last four days, we have spent a considerable amount of time consulting with local officials from surrounding cities and counties, homeland security, school administrators and other safety officials regarding the situation that took place in Washington DC and the subsequent events that have occurred. Our intent with all of these meetings was to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our learning community upon return to school. With this in mind, we have taken the necessary steps to return to school tomorrow Wednesday, January 23. These include:
We plan to limit the entrance and exit to the school building and ask that only students, faculty, and staff enter unless otherwise scheduled
What the email did not indicate was that Bishop Foys would be addressing the students today, upsetting parents and students alike.
One parent, who said that she was upset and frustrated about the matter, told the Lepanto Institute:
“My boys are at school today (Covington Catholic) and they were addressed our bishop, Roger Foys, sans parents. In fact, there has been no info given to parents about how the kids were to be treated or what would be said to them. We didn’t even know the bishop would be addressing them. The school isn’t answering phones, the voicemail is full, the website is down and we were given a statement that basically said we weren’t allowed at school today.”
Other sources, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, told us that Bishop Foys was completely unapologetic about his public condemnation. Addressing his condemnation, Bp. Foys told students that he couldn’t please everyone. He also mentioned that he has hired an investigative team to look into the incident and would not be making a statement until the investigation as completed.
Lepanto Institute is told that Bp. Foys told the boys that he is “100% on the boys’ side and always was,” while claiming that “if [their] actions had been bad, it would be a good statement.”
The Lepanto Institute launched a petition yesterday asking Bp. Foys, Abp. Lori, and Abp. Kurtz to retract their condemnations of the Covington Catholic high school boys and issue an immediate apology for so rashly judging them. So far, Abp. Lori has retracted his condemnation and apologized. After recounting the incident involving Nathan Phillips and the Covington Catholic boys, Abp. Lori’s apology states, in part:
“It has become apparent, however, that initial reports of that incident were at best incomplete. Those incomplete reports led many, including the Archdiocese of Baltimore, to speak out too hastily. We apologize for doing so.”
It is our hope that Bp. Foys and Abp. Kurtz will soon retract their hasty condemnations and issue apologies as well.
Please sign the petition below.
[ARForms id=111]
Bishop Foys’ cowardly disavowal of the Covington boys before ascertaining the truth of the entire situation is an absolute disgrace. In his rush to condemn the falsely accused boys, he proves that he worships at the altar of political correctness at the expense of the emotional and physical well being of the youngest members of his flock. With shepherds like these, to whom should any of us turn when we are in need? I am becoming more and more disgusted by the members of the church hierarchy. Bishop Foys is just the latest example of the lack of leadership in our church.
“Hotheadedness [is] never constructive; it has always destroyed everything. It has inflamed passions, but never assuaged them. It sows no seeds but those of hatred and destruction. Far from bringing about the reconciliation of contending parties, it reduces us to the necessity of laboriously redoing the work of the past, building on the ruins that discord has left in its wake.”
– Pope Pius XII
N.B. These words first came from Pope Pius XII. He spoke them to Italian workers in Rome. The day was June 13, 1943. St. Pope John XXIII wrote them in his letter called “Pacem in Terris.” Pacem in Terris is a Latin title. It means Peace on Earth.
Dear Bishops, when they come for you should we have your back? The evidence is clear these boys endured horrific verbal abuse from clearly diabolical forces influencing poor souls who stoop to such levels. Be a Godly man and stand up for these catholic kids who did nothing.
Seriously, you would begin to think that this school has been in cahoots with the protestors in persecuting these boys and their families. I am beginning to think along these lines, as ridiculous as it seems. This school administration along with the Bishop needs to be investigated. Something is so ‘off’ it reeks with stench.
Oh and thank you for the petition. My H and I have already signed it, for whatever it’s worth.
And….I have just read in a couple of different places that the bishop has also ordered these kids to ‘cease and desist’ in speaking with the media. You know, the ‘I will not say a word about this’ approach.
TLM says “Seriously, you would begin to think that this school has been in cahoots with the protestors in persecuting these boys and their families.”
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Spot on. I think you’re on to something there. This is looking more and more like a coordinated effort by this corrupt Bishop and the Left. The sheer arrogance of this Cleric to absolutely impose his personal rule of lawlessness over a civil matter – nay, a *criminal* matter – that continues to victimize these innocent youth – is beyond baffling. But what we’ve come to realize lately in the ongoing and widespread rot in the Church is this:
Wherever we find this kind of Leftwing partisan rule of anarchy by a cleric – we also find sexual perversion. Foys need to be thoroughly investigated. And I DO MEAN THOROUGHLY. There is something rotten about this evil clown. And this incident is only the tip of the iceberg.
I am disgusted at the way our bishops who were supposedly standing up for us are so quick to condemn us for something that we did not do. I saw the videos and I know these children did nothing for which they are being charged. I also know Bishop Kurtz as he was a priest here in the Allentown diocese. I am surprised to hear that he has done this is painful. God will correct all these bishops I know that for they are playing with their eternal destiny. May God have mercy on their souls. I can’t believe this school and the Bishop can be arrogant.
Petition? We need to start kicking some asses in the streets.
Parents need to intervene.
Where were the teachers and or chaperones of the students while these thugs harassed them?
Are there no adults with integrity in Covington?
Parents should withdraw their children en mass from the school. We would see a swift about face from both the so called bishop and the leftist principal.
Bishop Boys and Archbishop Kurtz, Jesus Christ Himself said, “Judge not lest ye be judged.” When will you “Catholic Up,” pay attention to over 2 hours of video, which exonerates the Covington studenfs, and not only admit you were wrong, but also sincerely apologize for unjustly condemning them. Failing that, you should probably resign your Episcopasies so that patient, fair-minded, faithful Bishops can be appointed to take your places.
Robert Barnes, the lawyer who is representing the kids pro bono as they proceed to sue the hell out of everyone who has defamed them, explained the law in an interview on Fox News. Because the kids are simply “normal” people rather than celebrities, it isn’t necessary to prove malicious intent; making a false statement about them simply out of carelessness constitutes LIBEL. And libel is actionable, to the potential tune of oh, I don’t know, pick any number in the millions of dollars.
Barnes indicated he’s going after not only journalists, but anyone with a media platform who has made false statements about these kids.
Well, it sure sounds like Bishop Foys could find himself on Barnes’ list, doesn’t it? Maybe he thinks that because he’s a bishop, he can say any old thing he wants about the faithful of his diocese, with total impunity … but he’s forgetting that he’s subject to civil law just like anybody else.
Barnes obviously isn’t a fool. Don’t think for a second that this hasn’t already occurred to him…
When are the Bishops going to be Shepards of our Souls again and not cut us down?? When will they regain our faith? Extremely upsetting.
Dare we hope Bishop Foy has been as quick to condemn the rampant homsexuality in the Church, a proven fact, as he was to condemn the Covington High School Students, who did nothing wrong, and should instead be lauded for upholding the tenants of their faith?
Bueller? Bueller?
Of course not. We no longer have very many Bishops who are Shepherds of their flock, we have instead, men enthralled with the trappings of their office, who simply want to advance in the Church hierarchy regardless of the cost to their souls.
Stop contributing to the Bishop’s fund raising, until the homosexuality is removed from the Church.
The original AP story clearly tied the so called offense to Trump which is the media’s real target here. I believe the real cause of the bishops and priest angst is the March for Life. Shameful!
Isn’t it Ironic the Bishop can throw the same kids under the Bus 15 minutes after CNN’s report – The same church who abused kids of the same age and are mum on that issue. How Sad !
All the cardinals should be wearing MAGA hats since Pres. Trump was their only Pro-Life President choice. Why do they hate Truth so much, and demonize the Good always!!! They keep glorifying “tolerance” of really demonic, evil people, people who promote killing-babies and sodomizing young males and boys? They promote Marxists who just hate and tear down civilization. How could anyone be a member of the Catholic Church with such a demonic, satanic, Marxist worldview?
Kick the Lucifereans out of the Church, now!!! Excommunicate Cuomo and Pelosi, now!