We previously reported about a predominantly white church in Mississippi that prevented a black couple from having their ceremony in the church sanctuary. The news caused quite an uproar, and now the church has issued an apology to the couple. The problem is, the couple was not aware of the apology until a reporter contacted them asking about it.
The First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs used their website to issue the apology on Sunday, asking that Charles Wilson, Te’Andrea Henderson Wilson, their family, friends, and God forgive them.
“This wrong decision resulted in hurt and sadness for everyone. Both the pastor and those involved in the wedding location being changed have expressed their regrets and sorrow for their actions.”
The couple, however, were not phased with the apology, mainly because they weren’t personally contacted. Wilson stated he had only heard from one or two people from the church in the past few weeks, and it was on their own accord, not as representatives from the church. “You put a thing in the media and say you’ve apologized? That is an insult,” Wilson said.
The wedding was initially supposed to take place on July 21, when members of the congregation voiced objections to the pastor, Rev. Stan Weatherford. He revealed to the couple that if the wedding was to go on in the church, he could be fired. The Wilsons had their wedding at a predominantly black church, still officiated by Weatherford.
Although Crystal Springs is more than 60 percent black, this event led to a racial unity rally on July 30, including the couple, the pastor, and Mayor Sally Garland, urging racial reconciliation.
It’s clear the Wilsons do not accept what the church deems to be an apology. What do you think? Would you accept their apology, even though it was issued on their website, as opposed to personally? Do you think it was just a PR move?
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