Mormon bishop apologizes after declaring Harry Reid 'unworthy' to enter temples
A Mormon bishop in Los Angeles who wrote a blog post condemning Mormon Senate Leader Harry Reid as an "embarrassment" to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has since apologized for his tone.
Mark Paredes, The Associated Press reports, "expressed his belief that Democrats' support of same-sex marriage, abortion rights, and gambling runs contrary to positions" of the Mormon Church. Having gone so far as to declare Reid "unworthy" of entering Mormon temples, the bishop nevertheless recanted when his criticism drew ire from Mormon Democrats.
"I do apologize for the tone of the article, for giving the impression that I was criticizing Sen. Reid in my role as an LDS bishop, and for implying that I am in a position to judge the senator's temple worthiness," Paredes told AP, adding, "However, I can't apologize for criticizing his advocacy of certain issues and on behalf of certain interests."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Despite the fact that Paredes posted a disclaimer declaring his post to be his own personal opinion, the LDS Church issued a statement saying that it "was 'entirely inappropriate' for church officers to use their titles while publishing such political views."
Crystal Young-Otterstrom of Salt Lake City, vice chair of LDS Democrats, said Paredes’ apology has been accepted, but that the bishop should meet with Mormon Democrats and be educated, because, as Young-Otterstrom put it, "We are Democrats because of our Mormon beliefs and not in spite on them."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published