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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Catholic priest says sorry for KKK cross burning on black couple's lawn | Catholic priest says sorry for KKK cross burning on black couple's lawn |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| The Rev William Aitcheson tells Philip and Barbara Butler he was ‘blinded by hate and ignorance’ when he targeted them in 1977 at their home in Maryland | |
| Guardian staff and agencies | |
| Sat 9 Dec 2017 21.49 GMT | |
| First published on Sat 9 Dec 2017 20.42 GMT | |
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| A Catholic priest who was once a member of the Ku Klux Klan has apologised to an African American couple, four decades after he burned a cross on their lawn. | A Catholic priest who was once a member of the Ku Klux Klan has apologised to an African American couple, four decades after he burned a cross on their lawn. |
| The Rev William Aitcheson told Philip and Barbara Butler he was “blinded by hate and ignorance” when he targeted them in 1977 at their home in College Park, Maryland. | The Rev William Aitcheson told Philip and Barbara Butler he was “blinded by hate and ignorance” when he targeted them in 1977 at their home in College Park, Maryland. |
| In a letter dated 8 September, Aitcheson wrote he rejected such beliefs before he joined the priesthood but was too ashamed to face the Butlers. | In a letter dated 8 September, Aitcheson wrote he rejected such beliefs before he joined the priesthood but was too ashamed to face the Butlers. |
| “I believe now that all people can live together in peace regardless of race,” he wrote. | “I believe now that all people can live together in peace regardless of race,” he wrote. |
| “I also know that the symbol of the most enduring love the world has even known must never be used as a weapon of terror. Its use against you was a despicable act. I seriously regret the suffering it caused you.” | “I also know that the symbol of the most enduring love the world has even known must never be used as a weapon of terror. Its use against you was a despicable act. I seriously regret the suffering it caused you.” |
| The Washington Post reported that Philip Butler said in a news conference on Friday that he wants to forgive Aitcheson but is not ready, saying: “I can’t do it yet.” | The Washington Post reported that Philip Butler said in a news conference on Friday that he wants to forgive Aitcheson but is not ready, saying: “I can’t do it yet.” |
| Aitcheson was sentenced in 1977 to 90 days in jail. In 1982, at the conclusion of a civil suit, Ronald Reagan visited the Butlers at their home. | Aitcheson was sentenced in 1977 to 90 days in jail. In 1982, at the conclusion of a civil suit, Ronald Reagan visited the Butlers at their home. |
| Aitcheson was ordained in 1988. In August this year he wrote an essay for the Catholic Herald, in which he said violence around a neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a counter-protester was killed, had prompted him to speak publicly about his past. | Aitcheson was ordained in 1988. In August this year he wrote an essay for the Catholic Herald, in which he said violence around a neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a counter-protester was killed, had prompted him to speak publicly about his past. |
| “While 40 years have passed,” he wrote, “I must say this: I’m sorry. To anyone who has been subjected to racism or bigotry, I am sorry. I have no excuse, but I hope you will forgive me. | “While 40 years have passed,” he wrote, “I must say this: I’m sorry. To anyone who has been subjected to racism or bigotry, I am sorry. I have no excuse, but I hope you will forgive me. |
| “The images from Charlottesville brought back memories of a bleak period in my life that I would have preferred to forget.” | “The images from Charlottesville brought back memories of a bleak period in my life that I would have preferred to forget.” |
| The Butlers and their attorney, Ted Williams, spoke on Friday about Aitcheson’s letter and the recent payment to the Butlers of $23,000 from the overdue civil suit judgment along with $9,600 in attorney fees. | The Butlers and their attorney, Ted Williams, spoke on Friday about Aitcheson’s letter and the recent payment to the Butlers of $23,000 from the overdue civil suit judgment along with $9,600 in attorney fees. |
| The Catholic Archdiocese of Arlington said in a statement that though Aitcheson had “no legal obligation to make restitution and no obligation under church law either”, he had “felt a moral obligation to pay as much as he could”. | The Catholic Archdiocese of Arlington said in a statement that though Aitcheson had “no legal obligation to make restitution and no obligation under church law either”, he had “felt a moral obligation to pay as much as he could”. |
| “Plans for his future priestly ministry are still being discerned,” the statement said. | “Plans for his future priestly ministry are still being discerned,” the statement said. |
| US news | |
| The far right | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Virginia | |
| Maryland | |
| news | |
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