Priest apologizes for comments mocking Clinton

CHICAGO He made those remarks last Sunday at Senator Barack Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ.

That is the same church where Reverend Jeremiah Wright was pastor.

Clinton's emotional moment, a few days before winning the New Hampshire primary in an upset over Iowa caucus winner Obama, is now the subject of a mocking, racially-oriented sermon by Obama's friend and supporter, Southwest Side priest Pfleger.

In a guest appearance last Sunday at Obama's own church where the former pastor Wright rocked the political world with inflammatory anti-American rhetoric that filled the 24-7 cable airwaves earlier this spring.

"When Hillary was crying and people said that was - I really don't believe it was put on. She always thought, 'This is mine. I am Bill's wife. I am white.' Out of nowhere, 'Hey, I am Barack Obama!' She said, 'Damn, where did you come from? I am white! I am entitled. There is a black man stealing my show.' She wasn't the only one crying. There were a whole lot of white people crying," said Pfleger, St. Sabina Church.

Father Pfleger, who was in Washington D.C. last month when Reverend Wright fanned the political flames with more incendiary comments in front of the National Press Club says in a statement Thursday that "I regret the words I chose on Sunday. These words are inconsistent with Senator Obama's life and message and I am deeply sorry in they offended Senator Clinton or anyone else who saw them."

As for Obama, who is off the campaign trail for a day of R&R with his family in Chicago, he says in a statement that, "As I have travelled this country, I've been impressed not by what divides us but by all that unites us. That is why I am deeply disappointed in Father Pfleger's divisive, backward-looking rhetoric, which doesn't reflect the country is wee or the desire of people across America to come together in common cause."

The Clinton camp released a statement saying, "We are disappointed that Senator Obama didn't specifically reject Father Pfleger's despicable comments about Senator Clinton, and assume he will do so.'

As for Frances Cardinal George, he was busy presiding over an ordination ceremony and said he wanted to see what Father Pfleger actually said before commenting.

A spokesperson for the archdiocese said the cardinal may have something to say about it Friday.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.