Wright appearance canceled after allegation of tryst
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
BY KEVIN C. DILWORTH
Star-Ledger Staff
A woman's shocking allegations of a sexual affair with controversial pastor Jeremiah A. Wright prompted the cancellation last night of his appearance at a church revival in East Orange.
Wright, pastor emeritus of the Trinity United Church in Chicago and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's former religious leader, was scheduled to speak last night and tonight as part of the four-day "Fall Revival 2008" at the Elmwood United Presbyterian Church on Elmwood Avenue.
More than 300 people had packed the church when Elmwood Presbyterian senior pastor Robert N. Burkins Sr. made the stunning announcement about 7:40 p.m.
"There has been an allegation of impropriety that has surfaced," Burkins explained from the pulpit as all eyes focused on him.
The accusation involves "inappropriate relations with a female in Texas," Burkins said. "These charges are serious and present a profound dilemma. These are unsubstantiated charges that require us to be sensitive. We ask that you all refrain from judgment."
The woman, 37-year-old Elizabeth Payne, told the New York Post she had a "steamy" adulterous affair with Wright, 67, when she worked at the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. The church was run by a prot?g? of Wright's, according to the newspaper, but Payne would not say when the alleged affair occurred or how she met Wright.
Payne has since lost her job and her husband divorced her, the Post said.
Last spring, Obama cut his ties to Wright and his church after portions of the pastor's sermons were broadcast nationally. In some of those sermons, Wright, who often preaches on the mistreatment of African-Americans, likened actions of the U.S. government to al Qaeda's actions and said the 9/11 attacks were "America's chickens coming home to roost" for oppressive foreign policies.
Burkins this week had been hosting Wright's annual preaching engagement at the East Orange house of worship. Wright spoke at three Sunday services and at a revival meeting Monday evening.
"This is an unexpected problem for him, and all of us," Burkins said. "We offer our sincere prayers for Rev. Wright."
Burkins said the revival will go on.
After he spoke, and before the revival continued, Curtis Jones, Elmwood Presbyterian's associate pastor, asked the congregation to pray with him for Wright. The revival service then continued.
?2008 Star Ledger
? 2008 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-11/1221021327105580.xml&coll=1
