Jun 1, 2008 9:59 pm US/Central
Obama Leaves Trinity Amid Pfleger Controversy
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
It's been a busy few days to say the least for the Obama campaign, after another fiery sermon at Trinity United Church of Christ.
Saturday, after being with the church for 20 years, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama said he's done.
A controversial sermon by Rev. Michael Pfleger was apparently the final straw for Obama, who said he is leaving Trinity, where he has been a member for more than two decades.
"It's clear that now that I'm a candidate for president, every time something is said at the church by anyone associated with Trinity, including guest pastors, the remarks will be imputed to me even if they totally conflict with my long held views statements and principles," Obama said. "This is not decision I come to lightly, and frankly it is one that I make with some sadness."
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CBS 2 has reaction to Obama's decision to leave his longtime church.
"The church was doing extremely well before he joined and I'm sure they will continue to do well now that he's gone," said State Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago).
While insisting that she and most other members of Trinity will not be offended by Obama's decision to leave the church, Davis said those who have been offended by some of the preaching at Trinity simply misunderstand it.
For example, she claimed Father Michael Pfleger's race-based mockery of Hillary Clinton from the pulpit last Sunday was really meant to be funny.
"People want to say 'oh, he was mocking Hillary,' but he was simply being humorous," Davis said.
State Rep. Bill Brady, (D-Bloomington), said that Obama should have departed Trinity a long time ago.
"There's no question that the American public was appalled at the destructive nature, the divisive nature of that message that the church leaves," he said.
State Sen. James Meeks, (D-Calumet City), was elected last January as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Obama.
Rev. Meeks founded a big South Side church of his own. "But Barack Obama is running for the President of the United States. There's not time to sort out all of Trinity's good works and run for the president at the same time," Meeks said.
Obama's former church is sad to see the presidential candidate go, but understands that he's made a personal decision.
In a statement on Sunday, Trinity's pastor, Rev. Otis Moss III said, "Trinity United Church of Christ was informed that Senator Barack Obama and his family will no longer be members of our church. Though we are saddened by the news, we understand that it is a personal decision.
"We will continue to lift them in prayer and wish them the best as former members of our Trinity community. As in the prayer for the Ephesians, our entire Trinity family ask that the nation entrust Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha, to God's care and guidance, so that Christ may continue to dwell in their lives, in their hearts, and in their work. We ask now for God's peace to be with them."
CBS 2 approached members of the congregation Sunday, but said they were not allowed to talk about it. When the communications director at Trinity was approached for further discussion about his departure, she said no and threatened to call police if CBS 2 did not leave the sidewalk outside the church.
Meantime, the priest at the center of the latest election controversy said he's received thousands of "hate threats" since video showing him mocking U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton appeared on the Internet.
Rev. Michael Pfleger told parishioners at St. Sabina Church Saturday night "they want to kill me ... it's been very ugly."
On Sunday, parishoners at St. Sabina were pleasant and friendly when speaking to reporters, but many simply didn't want to talk about Pfleger's speech or the fallout.
Many parishoners said off camera that they're eager to hear Pfleger address the national attention brought to the sermon he gave at Trinity one week ago, mocking U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Those parishoners who did speak on camera said the backlash won't turn them away from a religious and community leader who has contributed so much.
One woman said, "I'm standing with my pastor because I love him and he's truthful."
Another woman said, "We have a very good pastor, you know, and he really speaks things from his heart. We love our pastor and I felt like what he said was something that he felt."
One man said, "The Clintons are counting on the white working class people to be resentful. Father Mike told the truth."
As for Pfleger, Cardinal Francis George has reprimanded him for his politically inflammatory statements.
Pfleger said the posted portion of his sermon was taken entirely out of context.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery, CBS 2's Pamela Jones, Dana Kozlov, the STNG Wire and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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