Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

speakup

CHICAGO - Barack Obama's former pastor, who cancelled several public events following an uproar over his incendiary comments, surprised a Chicago congregation by attending an event to celebrate poet Maya Angelou's birthday.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright got a raucous standing ovation when he entered Saint Sabina church on the city's South Side on Friday night, according to video from WBBM-TV. Members yelled "Hallelujah!" as Wright embraced the Rev. Michael Pfleger, Saint Sabina's pastor.

The smiling Wright accepted an invitation to give the benediction at the Roman Catholic church but did not address the furor over his past sermons. He also sang "Happy Birthday" to Angelou, whose birthday is April 4.

Afterward, he went into an office off the pulpit to greet audience members.

Pfleger told the CBS station he invited Wright because he is a fan of Angelou, who was at the church for a speaking engagement.

"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 said. "And so when I asked him about coming, he said he'd be honoured to come and it was a blessing for us to have him here."

Obama has condemned remarks from Wright that denounced America for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. Videos of Wright's remarks circulated on the Internet and on television.

Wright has not spoken publicly since the controversy over his sermons began. He recently scrapped plans to receive an award in Texas, and to speak at churches in Houston and Tampa, Florida.