Pastor Louie Giglio has withdrawn from
participating in President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee on
Wednesday announced Giglio had been selected to deliver the
benediction.
The selection was criticized by
ThinkProgress.com, which reported that in a mid-1990s sermon Giglio,
of the Georgia-based Passion City Church, advocated for therapies
which claim to “cure” gay people's sexual orientation and called
on Christians to prevent the “homosexual lifestyle” from becoming
accepted in society.
Louie Giglio withdrew on
his own from the inaugural ceremony,” CNN's Eric Marrrapodi tweeted
on Thursday.
In
a statement, Giglio noted that the brewing controversy would
likely overshadow his participation.
“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.”
“The issue of homosexuality (which a
particular message of mine some 20 years ago addressed) is one of the
most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals'
rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views
on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover
and preserve.”
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