The Rev. Luis Leon will deliver the
benediction at President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
Pastor Louie Giglio, of the Georgia-based Passion
City Church, had been selected to deliver the inaugural benediction
but 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.
According to The Huffington Post,
Leon, an Episcopal priest who ministers at St. John's Church near the
White House, will replace Giglio.
“I'll be doing it,” Leon confirmed
to The
Huffington Post.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee is
expected to make an official announcement on Friday.
Leon, whose parish is known for
welcoming LGBT members, gave the invocation at President George W.
Bush's 2005 inaugural. Every president since James Madison has
attended services at St. John's Church.