Obama's former pastor attends Angelou birthday celebration
Obama's former pastor attends Angelou birthday celebration at South Side church
Barack Obama's former pastor surprised a South Side congregation Friday night by showing up at an event marking poet Maya Angelou's birthday.
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright received a thunderous, standing ovation from members of St. Sabina Church, which hosted Angelou as she nears her 80th birthday, according to CBS2.
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The retired Wright, Obama's spiritual adviser for years, has laid low ever since his fiery, past sermons became political fodder in the presidential campaign.
Obama has condemned remarks from Wright that denounced America for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. Wright recently scrapped plans to receive an award in Texas, and to speak at churches in Houston and Tampa, Florida.
Wright did not talk publicly about Obama Friday night, CBS2 said. Instead, he gave the benediction at St. Sabina and smiled as the audience sang 'Happy Birthday' to Angelou.
Wright attended at the invitation of St. Sabina pastor the Rev. Michael Pfleger.
"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 told CBS2. "And so when I asked him about coming he said it would be an honor to come and it was a blessing having him here."
After giving the benediction, Wright went to a nearby office, and dozens of people lined up to greet him, CBS2 reported.
Chicago School Board president Rufus Williams, who attended the event at St. Sabina, 1210 W. 78th Place, told CBS2 that Wright "looked affected."
"I mean, it's hard not to be affected when that many things are said on a national stage about what you are," Williams said. "It's hard to ignore it and it's hard to not be affected by that."