Obama and family leaving their church

In the midst of the hullabaloo yesterday over how to sanction Florida and Michigan for breaking the DNC rules, and how to do so without hurting the Dems in the general election (and it’s not clear they succeeded), I was most sad about the news that Sen. Obama and his family are leaving their church.

I understand that it is in part because the amount of publicity was getting too high FOR THE CHURCH and making it difficult for people to function there, that they chose to leave:

Mr. Obama rejected suggestions that he denounce the church, which is one of Chicago’s largest and most socially active black churches, with a wide array of respected social programs. Several of the most prominent black theologians in Chicago attend the church.

“I’m not denouncing the church, and I’m not interested in people who want me to denounce the church,” he said in response to a question. “It’s not a church worthy of denouncing.”

Mr. Obama said that his resignation was not a matter of political convenience, but rather that he had reached the point where neither he nor Trinity’s pastors and congregants could worship in peace. He noted that reporters now pored over sermons and that some had called sick members at home to ask about the church.

PastorDan comments on the situation. And I pray that the community of faith can find ways to heal after this breach -- because it is a breach not only of Trinity in Chicago, but of the rest of the church, too. For it wasn't only "secular" news media types calling for Sen. Obama to leave, but also people like this Roman Catholic priest. I couldn't help feeling, as I listened to this priest's semi-rant mascarading as a prayer, that if we Roman Catholics took such advice seriously the RC church would be in even more trouble than it already is.