A Kentucky bishop has issued a personal apology to the teenager at the center of viral clash with Native American man, saying the diocese was 'bullied' and reacted 'prematurely' to the footage.

An initial joint statement from the Diocese of Covington and Covington Catholic High School on Saturday had condemned the students for their actions.

But in a letter to parents Most Rev. Roger Foys apologized to Covington families and to anyone offended by either statement. Foys says the diocese was 'bullied' and reacted 'prematurely', The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

He wrote: 'We should not have allowed ourselves to be bullied and pressured into making a statement prematurely, and we take full responsibility for it.

'I especially apologize to Nicholas Sandmann and his family, as well as to all CovCath families who have felt abandoned during this ordeal. Nicholas unfortunately has become the face of these allegations based on video based on video clips.

'This is not fair. It is not just. We apologize to anyone who has been offended in any way.'

Nicholas Sandmann, pictured in the MAGA hat, was widely criticized after an online video appeared to show him mocking and staring down Native American Nathan Phillips, right

Most Rev. Roger Foys, left, released a statement Friday apologizing to Covington families, 'especially to Nicholas Sandmann, right, and his family'

The school has received national attention in the wake of videos which appeared to show students from the school mocking Native Americans outside the Lincoln Memorial

The videotaped encounter last week at the Lincoln Memorial between a group of high school students, some wearing MAGA hats, and Native American marchers went viral and the students were widely criticized.

It had appeared to show them mocking a Native American activist. Subsequent videos showed a more complicated three-way confrontation involving a black religious sect as well.

Students have received death threats in the wake of the incident, Foys said.

A spokeswoman for the diocese had criticized the students' behavior in the immediate aftermath.

The statement read: 'We condemn the actions of the Covington Catholic High School students towards Nathan Phillips specifically, and Native Americans in general, Jan. 18, after the March for Life, in Washington, D.C.

'We extend our deepest apologies to Mr. Phillips. This behavior is opposed to the Church's teachings on the dignity and respect of the human person.'

Sandmann said he was trying to diffuse tensions when he stood in front of Nathan Phillips on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Native American activist Nathan Phillips was the man at the center of the viral video

A sign showing support for the students of Covington Catholic Catholic High School

Sleepy Eye Lafromboise, right, and his son Eshtakaba, both of the Sioux Nation, sing during a gathering of Native American supporters in front of the Catholic Diocese in Covington, Ky.

Guy Jones, left, and a supporter of President Donald Trump named Don join hands during a gathering of Native American supporters in front of the Catholic Diocese of Covington

Speaking of the moments before the confrontation, when the Israelites were hurling insults his way, the 16-year-old said: 'I definitely felt threatened. They were a group of adults and I wasn't sure what was going to happen next.

'In hindsight I wish we had just found another spot to wait for our buses but at the time, being positive seemed better than letting them slander us with all of these things.'

He added: 'I can't say that I'm sorry for listening to him and standing there.

'As far as standing there, I had every right to do so. My position is that I was not disrespectful to Mr Phillips, I'd like to talk to him.

'In hindsight I wish we could've walked away and avoided the whole thing.'