SC Priest Says He Was Hasty In Obama Comments

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina priest says he was too hasty when he told parishioners who voted for President-elect Barack Obama to refrain from taking Holy Communion because of his stance in support of abortion.

The Greenville News reported that during a Mass at his church Saturday, the Rev. Jay Scott Newman received a standing ovation. When the applause stopped, Newman said he wrote his column in haste and would have done a better job of explaining his position had he taken his time.

Newman wrote a letter to parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenville saying they were putting their souls at risk if they take Holy Communion without doing penance because of Obama’s position on abortion.

Voice mailboxes for Newman and the church were full when AP tried to contact Newman Sunday.

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