Minister withdraws from inauguration over remarks

• The Rev. Louie Giglio faced criticism for remarks he'd made about homosexuality
• In statement, pastor said he and Obama "do not agree on every issue"
• In audio posting of sermon from 1990s, Giglio called homosexuality a sin

WASHINGTON – The minister selected by President Obama to deliver the benediction at his inauguration later this month has withdrawn himself from the celebration after facing criticism for remarks he made about homosexuality in a sermon in the mid-1990s.

Addie Whisenant, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said organizers were unaware of the comments when the Rev. Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion Conferences in Atlanta, was selected.

She added that his comments "don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural."

"Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world," Whisenant said. "As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.

Giglio said in a statement that "the president and I do not agree on every issue" and that he feared his participation would overshadow the message of the prayer he planned to deliver.

"Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration," Giglio said. "Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past 15 years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ."

In an audio posting of the sermon posted on the liberal website Think Progress, a voice identified as that of Giglio's called homosexuality a sin.

"That's God's voice. If you want to hear God's voice, that is his voice to this issue of homosexuality. It is not ambiguous and unclear. It is very clear."