Pastor Wanda Rolon, an influential
social conservative in Puerto Rico, has blasted Ricky Martin's new
tour and sexuality.
Rolon, who helms the megachurch First
Christian Church of La Senada Antigua in northern Puerto Rico, took
to Facebook to denounce the openly gay singer as he kicked off
his Musica+Alma+Sexo (Music+Soul+Sex) world tour Friday.
“This weekend Puerto Rico will
receive a man who God rescued from hell,” Rolon wrote,
referring to evangelist Nicky Cruz. “On the other hand, there is
another one who wants to take people to hell! RM is its ambassador.”
Rolon deleted the post and denied
claims she was homophobic in a second post: “I never promoted
hatred, but the love of Christ. ... God calls us as only man and
woman because it was how He created us.”
In
an interview with Primera
Hora, Rolon, a self-appointed apostle, chided Martin for
being open about his sexuality, saying she worried that children will
think being gay is okay.
“They continue being sons, brothers
and cousins. They have always existed, but glorifying this behavior
no. I do not glorify a drug addict, an alcoholic,” she said.
Martin ostensibly responded to his
critic near the end of his first concert, telling the audience: “My
people, what can I tell you? All I want is for my homeland to be
free of prejudice. Neither more nor less. Same!”