HuffPo and CNN are reporting that the Presidential Inaugural Committee has selected the longtime rector of the “Church of the Presidents” to give the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration next week.
The Cuban-born Rev. Luis Leon, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square near the White House, will take the place of Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio, who bowed out after a 1990s sermon against homosexuality angered gays and lesbians.
Leon is a known quantity to both the White House and the president — the Obamas typically go to St. John’s (when they go to church), and Leon has also counted George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in his pews. Presumably, Leon will host the Obamas for the traditional morning-of inaugural prayer service at St. John’s.
As HuffPo notes, Leon and his parish are gay friendly, which should squelch that particular fire. But more importantly, we think, is that Leon would add a notable Hispanic voice to the inaugural line-up — a subtle nod to a minority that Obama won handily, and one that is expecting him to deliver on immigration reform.
While the news hasn’t been officially confirmed (or announced) by inauguration officials, remember where Leon’s name first appeared: on our list of possible subs to replace Giglio.
9 Comments
makeshiftmemorial
Did you mean to say that Giglio’s old sermon offended “gay priests”? I think it offended the gay community overall.
Mercydivine
Pastor Gidlio has a right to his religious beliefs. But this new gay-friendly preacher (wolf in sheep’s clothing?) fits nicely with the morally bandrupt anti-Christ in the White House….
Mike
It’s good news that the minister selected to participate represents the positive, inclusive side of religion rather than the narrow-minded, hateful side of religion.
Mercydivine
Count me in as narrow-minded when it comes to rejecting sin…..The real hate is the homophobic bigotry that seeks to close down rational arguments and to intimidate people into acquiescence…
Sam
Congratulations to Rev. Luis Leon! I think he is an excellent choice in every way…and someone with whom the President is familiar, which must be reassuring for him. I’m very happy about this selection.
Mercydivine
And excellent choice indeed…A wolf in sheep’s clothing for a man who rejects life and natural marriage….
gilhcan
One has to ask why Obama’s inaugural committee ever considered the likes of Louie Giglio in the first place. After they sucked up to Ron Hubbard for 2009, one would think they had learned the important lesson of working with religious leaders who are genuine followers of the Jewish rabbi Jesus of post-Old Testament writings, the rabbi who preached “faith, hope, and charity,” and would have readily added “honesty” as the “greatest of these” if he were living in today’s Washington, DC, or in the evangelical South. Since St. John of Lafayette Square is north of the White House, perhaps that’s a good sign.
Dennis
Matthew 19 :1-11 I just have a hard time thinking being gay is ok. I’m sure studying about it. Jesus always speaks of wife as woman and is very serious about it. why didn;t he make rules plainly about the gay and lesbian folks ?
Obama gets the Inaugural Benediction right | Spiritual Politics
[...] that’s what President Obama has belatedly accomplished in selecting Rev. Luis Leon, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Lafayette Square near the White House. [...]