Katy Perry's Pastor Mother: 'God' Will Use Divorce to Boost Church
While Katy Perry struggles with her pending divorce from Russell Brand, her evangelical parents claim that God can still use it to bless them and others.
Perry's parents, Pastors Keith and Mary Hudson, recently spoke about the benefit of their daughter's divorce at an Ohio church, according to The Sun.
"I'm sure Katy is trending on the internet just to get you to church tonight," Mary reportedly told worshipers at Church on the Rise in Westlake, Ohio.
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"I mean all over the world, who knows how God is bringing them in? The most important thing is you are here and God wants to put the fire in you in 2012," she added.
Mary was suggesting that 27-year-old Perry's high profile divorce was being used by God to bless, because it has drawn in a number of new congregants to the church.
Perry, a renowned Hollywood pop star, and 36-year-old Russell Brand, an English comedian and actor, recently announced that they were divorcing after 14 months of marriage.
Although it was Brand who filed, citing "irreconcilable differences,” it is believed that Perry insisted that her estranged husband file to avoid potentially upsetting her Christian parents.
"Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I'll always adore her and I know we'll remain friends," Brand said in a statement shortly after filing.
According to sources, Perry is not taking the divorce lightly, and is "devastated," according to a family friend who spoke with Us Weekly Magazine.
"She was brought up with the belief marriage is forever and feels she failed. The plan was for Katy and Russell to have the holidays apart, then see if they wanted to go through with a separation," the source added.
Keith urged churchgoers to refrain from the judgment that Perry is facing.
"I love my daughter and I will always love her. Stop being judgmental and critical. Do not close the doors to your loved ones, especially your children," Keith said.
"Just because they do not like what you do or what you are, they are still praying that you stay in the race. They are counting on you. I believe in God, for every one of my children," he added.
