Parents 'taught him better than this'
Worshippers sympathetic, but troubled by charges
From Gov. Blagojevich's boyhood church to a West Side congregation whose pastor prayed with the governor, politics seeped into the conversations at area churches Sunday.
In interviews, churchgoers from the Serbian and African-American communities -- some of whom said they supported the governor in the past -- said they were deeply troubled by his alleged misdeeds. But many also said the church is a place of forgiveness.
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
At the Church of the Holy Resurrection, the Logan Square Serbian Orthodox church Blagojevich attended growing up, parishioners wondered about the path of politics.
"He should resign if he talked about money and deal-making,'' said one man, who asked not to be named. "Politicians make deals all the time, but this went too far.''
Lela Maric, a member of the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral on the Northwest Side, said the parish was "sadly disappointed by the governor.'' But, she noted, he would still be welcome at the church. "The church is a place of forgiveness, and our doors are always open to him,'' she said.
Another church member said he knew the Blagojevich family years ago, describing the governor's parents as "nice people, hardworking, trustworthy and faithful. They taught him better than this.''
The senior pastor at Greater St. John Bible Church on the West Side, the Rev. Ira Acree, was one of the ministers who prayed with Blagojevich on Friday at his Ravenswood Manor home.
Worshipper Lisa Washington said Sunday that while she thinks the governor should resign, everyone is entitled to forgiveness.
Contributing: AP