Pastor Rob Morris

Context:

The pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, Conn., Rob Morris, published a letter explaining his choice to participate in a televised, nondenominational prayer vigil after the tragic school shooting in December 2012. Many of his parishioners felt that his words on the stage “hindered (the) ability to speak Christian truth into a pluralistic culture.”

The paster drafted a long letter apologizing to his community several weeks later.

Apologia: 

From the letter –

“Thus, to those who believe that I have endorsed false teaching, I assure you that was not my intent, and I give you my unreserved apologies. If any of you know church members or friends or family who are now confused because of my participation, believing that the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod fully endorses the doctrine of anyone else who was on that stage, please correct this confusion lovingly, and I will personally be happy to help in any way that I can. Feel free to pass on my apologies for having given that impression.”

Source: http://wmltblog.org/2013/02/letter-from-pastor-robert-morris-newtown-ct/

Singer Donna Summer

Context:

Summer allegedly made several anti-gay remarks during a 1983 performance, including, “I’ve seen the evil homosexuality come out of you people… AIDS is the result of your sins. Now don’t get me wrong; God loves you. But not the way you are now.” She wrote a letter to an AIDS advocacy group six years later, and the letter was released in its entirety in June 2012.

Apologia Letter:

‘July 26, 1989

Dear Members of Act-Up:

I am really sorry that my reply has taken so long, but this is not a matter that I take lightly and because of my schedule, I was forced to wait until I was clear and not under pressure.