Mar 31, 2008 10:05 pm US/Central
Church Honors, Defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright
Wright's Former Congregation At Trinity United Church Of Christ Says Media Unfair To Ex-Pastor
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The Rev. Jeremiah Wright was honored March 31 by his former congregation at Trinity United Church of Christ. Parishioners defended him against scrutiny he has faced for controversial sermons.
Tinity United Church of Christ
In his second public appearance in less than a week, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright was honored by his former congregation at Trinity United Church of Christ Monday night.
As CBS 2' Mai Martinez reports when Wright and his family entered they the church they greeted by a thunderous, almost deafening, round of applause and standing ovation by people showing support for the recently retired pastor.
The special prayer meeting was called to allow people who care about Wright to stand up and speak not only to him, but for him.
Several speakers defended Wright against what they feel have been unfair attacks in the media.
Addressing the recent controversy, Trinity's current pastor the Rev. Ottis Moss III, said "the church will not be silent." He went on to stress the importance of the church having a voice.
Another speaker, Dr. Conrad Worrill praised Rev. Wright's theology as "consistent with the black church's tradition of freeing us from oppression."
Worill went on to liken the present day persecution of Wright to that of Jesus Christ saying Jesus was not politically correct and "Jesus upset the status quo" and so did Rev. Wright.
Many attending echoed those same sentiments.
"You know when Jesus was put on trial in front of… all the leaders in ancient Israel, they had to condemn him through a bunch of statements taken out of context and witnesses who picked just a few statements that Jesus made and used them in very hurtful ways," said Rev. Rodney Reinhart. "And I think this is exactly what's going on with the Reverend Wright situation."
Monday night's was Rev. Wright's second appearance in less than a week. He attended an event Friday night at Saint Sabina church, where he also spoke briefly.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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