/HEAD> President Bush Apologizes to Wiccan War Widow Roberta Stewart

At midday today, President George W. Bush met by phone with Roberta Stewart, a Wiccan from Nevada and member of Circle Sanctuary. The president apologized to Roberta for her not being invited to the meeting he held in Reno, Nevada on Tuesday with families of Nevada soldiers killed in action.

Reports about Roberta not being invited to this meeting began appearing in the media yesterday and have continued today:
http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20070830/News/108300034

In the press articles, both Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister of Circle Sanctuary, called for the president to apologize to Roberta Stewart, and to give equal respect to soldiers and their families regardless of their religious orientation.

During the phone call, the president said that he admired Roberta for her spirit and thanked her for accepting his apology. He also offered his condolences for the loss of her husband, Sgt. Patrick Stewart, who was killed in action in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on September 25, 2005.

Following her phone meeting with the president, Roberta told Selena: "I am thankful that President Bush offered his condolences and his apology. This has helped bring some much needed closure for me regarding this recent issue as well as the struggles I have endured in the Veteran Pentacle Quest seeking to have my husband properly honored."

Both Rev. Fox and Rev. Lynn have expressed their appreciation for the president's phone meeting with Roberta:

Rev. Fox: "I am glad that President Bush provided this support to Roberta -- it has helped remedy this recent problem as well as helped heal the stress that Roberta has endured since her husband was killed in action. It also is a positive development for Wiccans and other Pagans who are serving and who have served in the US military and their families in the quest for equal respect and equal rights in society."

Rev. Lynn: "The president has done the right thing, and his apology to Stewart should be commended. All veterans of war, regardless of their faith, should be honored and treated with the utmost respect, especially from their commander-in-chief. We are pleased the president recognized his slight of Stewart was wrong."

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has issued a press release commending President Bush for apologizing to Roberta:
http://www.au.org

Rev. Lynn interviewed Roberta for his Culture Shocks show shortly after the President apologized to her. The show, which was broadcast today, will be archived on-line beginning tomorrow:
http://www.cultureshocks.com

News of the apology also has begun appearing in the press:

http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/31/AR2007083101954.html

More information about Roberta Stewart, Sgt. Stewart, and the Veteran Pentacle Quest Success:
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/veteranpentacle

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:

Rev. Selena Fox: 608-924-2216
Executive Director, Lady Liberty League
selena@circlesanctuary.org
Public Relations Director, Lady Liberty League
angie@circlesanctuary.org

Paula Johnson: 954-471-1435
Media Relations Coordinator, Lady Liberty League
paula@circlesanctuary.org

Lady Liberty League News Release
Circle Sanctuary
PO Box 9, Barneveld, WI 53507 USA
telephone: (608) 924-2216
fax: (608) 924-5961