Rev. Wright Preaches Again at Trinity UCC
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright - most famous for being President-elect Barack Obama's ex-pastor - returned to the pulpit of Trinity United Church of Christ on Sunday to give a special sermon – the first time he did so since his retirement early this year.
Wright, who was senior pastor of Trinity for 36 years before he retired in February, was drawn back to the Chicago megachurch to honor its 47th anniversary, according to The Chicago Tribune.
Current senior pastor the Rev. Otis Moss III was in Cleveland this past weekend attending his father's, the Rev. Otis Moss Jr., retirement from the pulpit at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church.
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Reflecting on the Christmas season, Wright gave a message in which he cited the story of Mary and the angel Gabriel, who told her she would bear a child to be the son of God. Wright compared Mary's disbelief to similar doubts by some about the future of Trinity Church after his retirement and the likelihood of electing the first black U.S. president.
"Our legitimate questions tend to be asked from the vantage point of limited horizons," said Wright. "Mary had a limited horizon. She couldn't see how it was possible."
He continued, "In almost every instance where I have encountered this phenomenon, what I have discovered is that the limited horizons are caused by the tendency to look for a person to provide you with answers for your legitimate questions."
The former Trinity pastor is perhaps most recognized by Americans for being at the center of a bitter controversy during primary season regarding statements he made in past sermons.
In one such sermon he shouted, "God damn America!" causing many to question not only his patriotism but also at the time Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who had been attending Trinity UCC with Wright as the pastor for 20 years.
The media quickly caught onto the controversy and began condemning Wright for his incendiary remarks and raising doubts if Obama was the right person to be in the White House.
Obama eventually cut ties with Wright and Trinity UCC after the pastor made more divisive statements at a press event.
Since then, Wright has held a bitter grudge against the media, which he accused of misrepresenting him.
"Jesus said upon this rock I will build - listen to the promise - my church," he said. "And the gates of hell - listen to the promise - the gates of hell - neither ABC nor CNN - the gates of hell - neither Hannity nor O'Reilly - the gates of hell - neither Time, Time magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune . . . the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Nothing will be impossible with God," he said.
During the Sunday services (three were held), Wright also defended his right as a preacher to critique the government, pointing out that the biblical figure Luke had criticized the Roman government.
"Any preacher who dares to point out the simple ugly facts found in every field imaginable is demonized as volatile, controversial, incendiary, inflammatory, anti-American and radical," Wright complained.
Regarding his feelings towards Obama, Wright said that Obama made a "bad decision" when he distanced himself from him and the church, but said he won't disown the president-elect.
"He's still my child," said Wright - who brought Obama to Christ, oversaw his marriage and baptized his two daughters - according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
"The hatred of the media and the haters in politics may have caused him to distance himself from us, but the love of Christ will never allow me to distance myself from him," Wright said of Obama. "I can no more disown him than I can disown any other child of mine who makes [a] bad decision. He made a bad decision, but he's still my child."
