Photobucket

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has strongly decried comments made by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and defended his decision to remain a part of his church.

“I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy,” wrote Obama. “I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it’s on the campaign stump or in the pulpit.”

Continued: Click “Read more.”Obama said he remained at Trinity United Church of Christ, which he called a “diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago,” because of its commitment to working for social justice. And he wrote that he looked to Wright for spiritual guidance, not political ideals.

“Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he’s been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn,” wrote Obama.

Controversy had erupted regarding statements made by Wright, including one statement on race in America which concluded, “God Bless America? No, God damn America!” Wright had also made statements that Hillary Clinton, Obama’s chief rival for the Democratic nomination, had faced an easier road because she was white.

Obama concluded, “Rev. Wright’s statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.”

Wright’s church, Trinity United Church of Christ, is a 6,000 member, predominantly African-American church located in Chicago. The church’s membership includes talk show host Oprah Winfrey, basketball legend Michael Jordan, and golfer Tiger Woods.