Obama pastor surprises Chicago church with appearance

Barack Obama's former pastor, who canceled several public events following an uproar over incendiary comments about U.S. foreign policy and race relations, surprised a Chicago congregation by attending an event to celebrate poet Maya Angelou's birthday.

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright got a raucous standing ovation when he entered Saint Sabina church on the city's South Side on Friday night, according to video from WBBM-TV. Members yelled "Hallelujah!" as Wright embraced The Rev. Michael Pfleger, Saint Sabina's pastor.

The smiling Wright accepted an invitation to give the benediction at the Roman Catholic church but did not address the furor over his past sermons. He also sang "Happy Birthday" to Angelou, whose birthday is April 4.

Afterward, he went into an office off the pulpit to greet audience members.

Pfleger told the CBS station he invited Wright because he is a fan of Angelou, who was at the church for a speaking engagement.

"I wanted him to come tonight as a guest because he loves Dr. Angelou, and I wanted him to see the love of people for him," Pfleger said. "And so when I asked him about coming, he said he'd be honored to come and it was a blessing for us to have him here."

Obama has condemned remarks from Wright that denounced America for allegedly racist and genocidal acts. Videos of Wright's remarks circulated on the Internet and on television. In speech last week, the Democratic presidential hopeful sharply condemned Wright's remarks. But he did not leave the church or repudiate the minister himself, who he said was like a family member.

Wright has not spoken publicly since the controversy over his sermons began. He recently scrapped plans to receive an award in Texas, and to speak at churches in Houston and Tampa, Fla.

Wright retired from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago last month but remains as a senior pastor.