Video

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama quits his controversial Chicago church. Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama said on Saturday (May 31) he quit his Chicago church in the aftermath of inflammatory sermons that could become a lightning rod in the November election. Obama's resignation from Trinity United Church of Christ, which he has attended for 16 years, was an attempt to put the nagging issue behind him as he closes in on the Democratic nomination to run against Republican John McCain for the White House. "This is not a decision I come to lightly and frankly it's one I make with some sadness," Obama told reporters during a stop in South Dakota, pointing out that he was married at Trinity and his children were baptized there. The Illinois senator, who would be the first black U.S. president, cut ties last month with Trinity's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, who angered many with anti-American and racially charged sermons. Just as controversy over Wright had died down, a Roman Catholic priest mocked Obama's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during a guest appearance at Trinity United. In his sermon, the priest, Michael Pfleger, screamed and imitated Clinton and accused her of espousing "white entitlement." Pfleger later apologized for his comments and was condemned by Obama and the archbishop of Chicago. His campaign released a copy of a letter Obama and his wife, Michelle, sent to the church announcing their decision. "Our relations with Trini...