Rev. Louie Giglio, pastor of Atlanta’s Passion City Church, previously selected to deliver the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration, has withdrawn his name from the services, amid fresh controversy over past comments he made regarding gay marriage.
According to “The New York Times,” Giglio delivered a sermon during the 1990s calling for Christians to fight the “aggressive agenda” of the gay rights movement.
Liberal blog “Think Progress” revived the sermon by Giglio in a Wednesday afternoon post.
Giglio released a statement shortly after noon on Thursday:
“I am honored to be invited by the president to give the benediction at the upcoming inaugural on Jan. 21. Though the president and I do not agree on every issue, we have fashioned a friendship around common goals and ideals, most notably, ending slavery in all its forms.
“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.”
According to MSNBC, a formal statement from the Inaugural Committee is expected to be released shortly.
The committee said that President Obama had been involved in the selection of Giglio and Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of Medgar Evers, to deliver the benediction and invocation at the inaugural ceremonies on Jan. 21.
Giglio, a pastor and the leader of the Passion Movement, was chosen because he’s a “powerful voice for ending human trafficking and global sex slavery” and because of his work in mobilizing young people in that effort, said a source with the Inaugural Committee.
“It is my privilege to have the opportunity to lead our nation in prayer at the upcoming inauguration,” Giglio said upon accepting the invitation.
“During these days it is essential for our nation to stand together as one,” he said. “And, as always, it is the right time to humble ourselves before our maker. May we all look up to our God, from whom we can receive mercy, grace and truth to strengthen our lives, our families and our nation. I am honored to be invited by the president to lead our nation as we look up to God, and as we look ahead to a future that honors and reflects the one who has given us every good and perfect gift,” he added, in the statement released by the committee.
An inauguration official speaking on background, said the president viewed the selections as “spiritual and not political.”
Read more: 11Alive News
