Over a week after Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar issued their much-pasted statement about the molesting scandal surrounding their son Josh Duggar, the couple are now announcing that they will appear on television to expand and expound on the matter.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar took to their family blog to issue this statement:
“Next week we will sit down with Megyn Kelly on Fox News to share our hearts with you about the pain that we walked through as a family twelve years ago, the tears we all shed and the forgiveness that was given. We appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers for our family at this time.”
A portion of the interview will air on The Kelly File Wednesday, June 3rd at 9 PM/ET. The full one-hour special will air on Friday, June 5th at 9 PM/ET.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar had already spoken about the scandal in a statement supporting their son:
“Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives. When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.”
“Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles every day. It is one of the reasons we treasure our faith so much because God’s kindness and goodness and forgiveness are extended to us – even though we are so undeserving. We hope somehow the story of our journey – the good times and the difficult times – cause you to see the kindness of God and learn that He can bring you through anything.”
The Duggars have faced much criticism for all the statements released so far focusing on the pain their family went through, rather than talking about the victims of the molestation. Then again, four out of five victims are said to be daughters in the family.
Others have turned a light toward the family’s conservative Christian beliefs, who they view women, and whether such a belief system might have influenced a young Josh to behave as he did toward girls.