Rev. Jeremiah Wright Surprises Chicago Church With Appearance
CHICAGO — Barack Obama’s former pastor, who canceled several public events following an uproar over his incendiary comments, surprised a Chicago congregation by attending an event to celebrate poet Maya Angelou’s birthday.
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright got a raucous standing ovation when he entered Saint Sabina church on the city’s South Side on Friday night, according to video from WBBM-TV. Members yelled “Hallelujah!” as Wright embraced the Rev. Michael Pfleger, Saint Sabina’s pastor.
The smiling Wright accepted an invitation to give the benediction at the Roman Catholic church but did not address the furor over his past sermons. He also sang “Happy Birthday” to Angelou, whose birthday is April 4.
Afterward, he went into an office off the pulpit to greet audience members.
Pfleger told the CBS station he invited Wright because he is a fan of Angelou, who was at the church for a speaking engagement.
“I wanted him to come tonight as a guest because he loves Dr. Angelou, and I wanted him to see the love of people for him,” Pfleger said. “And so when I asked him about coming, he said he’d be honored to come and it was a blessing for us to have him here.”
Obama has condemned remarks from Wright that denounced America for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. Videos of Wright’s remarks circulated on the Internet and on television.
Wright has not spoken publicly since the controversy over his sermons began. He recently scrapped plans to receive an award in Texas, and to speak at churches in Houston and Tampa, Fla.
In response to Joseph Fraccis’s comment
After 70+ years as an active Catholic you did not learn the basic teachings of Christ……you have failed. Speak to the Pope if you can, he will tell you the same.
Please add my name as a supporter of Rev. Wright. Every issue Rev. Wright spoke about in that “special sermon” need to be address. Some issues are difficut for some people to face however, the history of the savagery of some Americans against other people have to be comfronted and dealt with. We have waited a long time…….Thank you Rev. Wright….much love.
i have been an active catholic since birth
the actions of traitor pfleger has completely reversed my 70+ years of faith
where was he when all the bishops buried the molestations of the young. he apparently supported them, for obviously he did not resign in protest.
he is a disgrace to humanity
In a time of CHANGE, telling the thruth is a REVOLUTIONARY act and THE TRUTH HURTS. It is sad that religion was made to divide us instead of unite us. AMERICA WAS BORN OUT OF EVERTYHING THAT IS WRONG AND SHE SUFFERS FROM HER OWN BIRTH, IGNORANCE! IT IS TIME AMERICA FACED A TRUTH THAT SEPARATES US TO THIS DAY…
I am appalled to see a Catholic Church allow Jeremiah Wright to give a benediction. Someone who can say “God damn America” has no place in a Catholic place of worship. The pope should consider excummunication of the Rev. Michael Pfleger.
A Cradle Catholic who loves America
I thought “what would Jesus have done”, and we saw that today. To love and forgive. Blessed are the peacemakers!
A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own, and bigotry is the corresponding ideology.
Because you disagree with the man and have obviously only listened to the FoxNews-generated clips, Rev. Wright is supposed to hide, stay out of public view never to be seen or heard from again? He will not. You uninformed, disillusioned, and obviously unintelligent people will not control his life and comings and goings.