The second inauguration of President
Barack Obama on Monday closed with a prayer from Rev. Luis Leon.
Leon, an Episcopal priest who ministers
at St. John's Church near the White House, replaced Pastor Louie
Giglio, of the Georgia-based Passion City Church, who withdrew after
reports surfaced that in the mid-1990s he advocated for therapies
which claim to “cure” gay people's sexual orientation and called
on Christians to prevent the “homosexual lifestyle” from becoming
accepted in society.
Leon, on the other hand, advocated for
passage of the District of Columbia's gay marriage law. It was no
surprise, then, that his benediction was inclusive.
“We pray that you will bless us with
your continued presence, because without it, hatred and arrogance
will infect our hearts. But with your blessing we know that we can
break down the walls that separate us.”
”We pray for your blessing today,
because without it, mistrust, prejudice and rancor will rule our
hearts. But with the blessing of your presence, we know that we can
renew the ties of mutual regard which can best form our civic life.”
“We pray for your blessing, because
without it, suspicion, despair, and fear of those different from us
will be our rule of life. But with your blessing we can see each
other created in your image. ...”
“We pray for your blessing, because
without it, we will see only what the eye can see. But with your
blessing, we will see that we are created in your image, whether
brown, black or white; male or female; first-generation immigrant
American or Daughter of the American Revolution; gay or straight,
rich or poor.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
(Related: Obama
calls gay marriage part of America's journey in inauguration speech.)