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| Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus (www.mynewlife.org Photo) |
Posted: Tuesday, 07 July 2009 7:36AM
Aldermanic pick's anti-gay views stir controversy
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CHICAGO (CBS) ― The Rev. Wilfredo De Jesus, whom Ald. Billy Ocasio (26th) has proposed as his successor, is drawing heat among gay rights activists for his views, according to published reports.
De Jesus is pastor of the New Life Covenant Church, which meets at Clemente High School, at 1147 N. Western Ave. in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
Ocasio, who serves as chairman of the City Council's Human Relations Committee announced in May that he was leaving the Council to become a senior adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn. Ocasio recommended that Mayor Richard M. Daley appoint De Jesus to his City Council seat.
But gay rights activists are taking issue with the views of Ocasio's church on homosexuality. They point to messages issued by the church that equate homosexuality with drug addiction and other social ills, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday morning.
For example, one essay on the church Web site describes helping "a brother who is struggling to overcome addictions, lust, depression, loneliness, pride, anger, greed, homosexuality, or illness."
Last October, De Jesus also told the newspaper Christianity Today that "opposing abortion and homosexuality have been the paramount moral issues for him."
The gay and lesbian newspaper the Windy City Times received numerous heated letters about the proposed appointment shortly after it was announced.
"This appointment would effectively abrogate every advance Mayor Richard Daley has made toward achieving greater LGBT acceptance and equality in Chicago," wrote Bob Zuley.
"Throughout the 26th Ward, and the 4th Congressional District which encompasses it, there is a large LGBT population and, if energized by this man's hatred, they will most certainly organize in 2010 against anyone who has advocated for this misguided appointment. I will absolutely and determinedly join in those efforts," wrote Kit Duffy.
Activists are worried that De Jesus would be able to control funds for agencies serving gay clients and shape debates on such issues as same-sex marriage, the Tribune reported.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported in June that Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the city's first openly gay alderman, has also raised concerns about De Jesus' rhetoric.
But De Jesus said the church opposes homosexuality because of its belief in the literal authority of the Bible, and he said it would not have an impact on his policymaking, the Tribune reported.
He told the Tribune that he had even pledged to seek city funding for a homeless shelter for gay and lesbian teens that has been proposed for Humboldt Park.
The pastor's supporters say his record of community service should be the focus, the Tribune reported.
The 26th Ward includes much of the Near Northwest Side neighborhoods of Humboldt Park, Logan Square and West Town.
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