Rev. Paul Chamberlain came under fire for outing the secret behind Santa Claus to a group of primary school children in Hampshire, England. Per People Magazine, the students were left in tears and the parents were furious. However, the vicar has since issued an apology via a spokesperson for the Diocese of Portsmouth.
Per Independent UK, it read:
"Paul has accepted that this was an error of judgment and he should not have done so."
Vicar tells a group of students they have to get over Santa, says their parents are behind it all
Per the outlet, the statement reads, in part:
"We understand that the vicar of St Faith’s, Lee-on-the-Solent, the Rev Paul Chamberlain, was leading an RE lesson for 10 and 11 year olds at Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School. After talking about the Nativity story from the Bible, he made some comments about the existence of Father Christmas."
After acknowledging that the vicar made an "error in judgment," the statement goes on:
"He apologised unreservedly to the school, to the parents and to the children, and the headteacher immediately wrote to all parents to explain this. The school and diocese have worked together to address this issue, and the headteacher has now written to parents a second time, sending them Paul’s apology.”
Per GB News, the vicar told the students at the school:
"You're all year six, now let's be real, Santa isn't real."
He also revealed that not only is Santa Claus a bogus figure, but it was their parents who were buying them presents and eating the treats they put out for Santa each year. At the time, he was only there to talk about religious education, though he ventured into other topics.
Reportedly, the students promptly burst into tears. One of the mothers told The Times:
"I don’t know how it can be undone, but I think it’s absolutely disgusting. I don’t want him anywhere near my daughter.”
Another chimed in:
"Mine was upset but she still believes,” the parent said, “so I’m quite lucky she’s still not believing him and she thinks he’s lost the plot. I think it’s wrong, but a lot of parents have had to confess to their child.”
She also demanded that the vicar “never comes into the school again.” Rev. Chamberlain has been serving as the vicar of St Faith's in Lee-on-the-Solent since March 2014, his church website reveals.
“I think he should stop doing what he’s doing,” she said, adding that “it’s been difficult, really difficult, because [her daughter’s] a very bright little girl," the mother added. "So we’re just going to try and just push as much magic into this as we can."
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Per People Magazine, teachers wrote to the parents via email, noting that they affirmed to students that “all stories and legends around Christmas” are very real, and “your own family beliefs are what are important and just as valid as Christian Christmas story."
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