Online group calls for Illinois bishop’s apology

PEORIA — An online religious community has joined calls for a Catholic bishop from Peoria to apologize for comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler. But the bishop isn’t budging.

The Journal Star in Peoria reported that more than 23,000 signatures gathered online at the Faithful America website call on Bishop Daniel Jenky to apologize. They were delivered Wednesday to the Diocese of Peoria.

Jenky last month said during a service that Obama’s health care policies are like Hitler and Joseph Stalin in trying “to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches.”

The diocese says in a statement that Jenky has received support locally and from around the country. The statement says Jenky was defending religious freedom and his statement had been distorted and misunderstood.