Thread: Summit honoring Obama's former pastor moved to Dallas

Summit honoring Obama's former pastor moved to Dallas
By TERRY LEE GOODRICHtgoodrich@star-telegram.com; ramirez@star-telegram.com
A Saturday banquet honoring controversial pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. has been moved from Texas Christian University campus to Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, summit organizers said Tuesday.

Other summit events, including a luncheon panel with Wright originally scheduled for Saturday at TCU, will move to Paul Quinn College in Dallas, according to assistant Carolyn Ray in the office of the Paul Quinn president.

TCU officials last week said that the banquet and other summit events would not be held at the university because of security concerns by TCU campus security and Fort Worth police. Wright is former pastor to presidential candidate Barack Obama, and has been the focus of criticism recently after release of a fiery sermon that was captured on video.

The banquet and panel discussion are part of a State of the Black Church Summit, organized by Brite Divinity School on the TCU campus.

"This is a man we respect," said Elizabeth Payne, executive assistant to the Rev. Frederick Haynes III of Friendship West.

She said Wright will not be giving interviews to the media at the event.

Wright has been accused of promoting racism, but Brite officials in a statement on the school's Web site said he has had "a remarkable career as an effective pastor and preacher. He has led a ministry that has touched the lives of thousands with the power of God's love, mercy and grace."

TCU officials stressed that they are separate from Brite, although Brite is on the TCU campus and shares heritage and affiliation with the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church).

Friday summit events already had been scheduled at Friendship West.

Wright has been criticized for a portion of a 2003 sermon in which he said that blacks should sing "God d--- America" instead of "God bless America." But supporters said the comment was taken out of context.

TERRY LEE GOODRICH, 817-685-3812
http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/546519.html

Honoring someone for being racist???