A controversial, anti-gay pastor was invited by Rep. Ernie Leidiger, a Republican from Mayer, Minn., to start Friday morning's session with a prayer at the Minnesota House, drawing anger and criticism from both sides of the aisle, MyFox9.com reports.
Bradlee Dean ended his prayer saying, "It's not about the Baptists, not about the Catholics alone, or the Lutherans, or the Evangelicals, or any other denomination, but rather the head of the denomination, and his name is Jesus, as every president up until 2008 has acknowledged and we pray it in Jesus' name."
House Majority Leader Kurt Zellers took responsibility and immediately apologized after Dean's opening prayer, calling for a restart, asking the regular House chaplain to say another prayer.
"I denounce him, his actions and his words. A person like that will never, ever be allowed on this House floor again as long as I am speaker," Zellers said.
Lawmakers said prayers are given every single day at the Capitol, but when a legislator invites their pastor to speak, there is trust it will be an acceptable and respectful address.
Leidiger says someone from Dean's ministry requested the invite. He says he only knew of Dean's past work educating students on constitutional issues and not his controversial past remarks.
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Mayer Rep. Ernie Leidiger Invited Controversial Pastor: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com
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