Seeking Sanctuary, Mayor Kilpatrick Will Address the City from His Church

by Anita S. Lane

On Wednesday, January 30th, the Mayor of the city of Detroit will finally speak out. He will come out of seclusion and address the residents of the city of Detroit-and the world. But he will not do it from city hall. No, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will address the world from his church. Church?

The church is a great institution that serves numerous spiritual and social purposes. In fact, there are many perfectly suitable uses for a church--Sunday morning worship service, weekday Bible study, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and baby dedications.

However, the "crimes" that Mayor Kilpatrick allegedly committed were not crimes against the "church" but rather the voters and the residents of Detroit whose public trust he abused. Kilpatrick misused taxpayer dollars, not church dollars to cover up his misdeeds. Kilpatrick doesn't owe the church an apology, so why has his office announced that he will stand before the people of Detroit from a church? I don't know.

Perhaps since the Mayor has been in seclusion for a week he's forgotten that the city owns a public auditorium on the 13th floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center--the home of the Mayor's office. Typically, this is the location where hearings are held and public matters are addressed.

However, my guess is that Kilpatrick hasn't forgotten that this auditorium exists, but that he's frankly a little frightened to come before the people on public turf. He may want the protection of God's angels hovering the church building, and the presence of spiritual leaders to provide him with strength. Perhaps he's afraid of the paparazzi, or afraid that left-over hecklers from the 4 pm union-sponsored resignation rally that precedes his 7pm address, will storm the auditorium and cause a disturbance.

Nevertheless, Kilpatrick or his advisors should know that speaking to the people from a church, given the circumstances (although his spokesperson indicated it won't be the sanctuary), might not sit well with some people.

In no way is it my intent to judge Kilpatrick. I just find it a bit patronizing that while Kilpatrick sinned against the city voters and taxpayers (in addition to God), he doesn't appear brave enough to face voters and taxpayers on city grounds. Will speaking from a church make him more believable? Probably not. Speaking from a church could just seem like another cover--an attempt to veil his wrong-doings under the protective cloak of God's mercy--and to make him appear more humble with the Cross above his head. However, I think the most humble, honorable and brave thing for Mayor Kilpatrick to do would be to address the City from "City Hall."

Truly, I'd love to see Kwame in church--but for purposes like worship, Bible study, and prayer at the altar. And let's be honest, if Kwame had spent more of his time over the past seven years in church for those purposes, he'd probably have no reason to speak to us from one tomorrow.