Pastor Louie Giglio
Louis
Giglio, the anti-LGBT pastor who had been announced to perform the
benediction at President Obama’s second inauguration, has been
removed from the program, ABC News’s Jonathan Karl reported Thursday.
The move came after ThinkProgress
reported Wednesday
that in the 1990s, Giglio had given a lengthy sermon in which he
advocated for dangerous “ex-gay” therapy for gay and lesbian people,
referenced a biblical passage often interpreted to require gay people be
executed, and impelled Christians to “firmly respond to the aggressive
agenda” and prevent the “homosexual lifestyle” from becoming accepted in
society.
Update
CNN’s Eric Marrapodi is
reporting that Giglio voluntarily withdrew from the program.
Update
A spokeswoman for Giglio sent ThinkProgress his statement:
January 10, 2014 [sic]
I am honored to be invited by the President to give the benediction
at the upcoming inaugural on January 21. Though the President and I do
not agree on every issue, we have fashioned a friendship around common
goals and ideals, most notably, ending slavery in all its forms.
Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years
ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer,
will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of
the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the
range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has
been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus
Christ.
Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and
goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of
our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the
President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the
President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for
him on Inauguration Day.
Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.
Update
Addie Whisenant of the Presidential Inaugural Committee said in a statement:
We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past
comments at the time of his selection and they don’t reflect our desire
to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this
Inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction
in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around
the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the
benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s
vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.
TP
No comments:
Post a Comment