Biden worships, speaks at church service

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C.

Vice President Joe Biden worshipped and spoke at the Sunday service of the historic African-American church where nine people were gunned down during Bible study earlier this month just hours before a funeral took place for another of the shooting victims.

The vice president’s surprise appearance came on the second Sunday the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church had regular services after the June 17 shooting. Police contend the attack was racially motived and have charged a 21-year-old white man.

Biden said he’d visited Emanuel before and knew the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of the church who was among those killed.

“We came back because my family and I wanted to show solidarity with the families and with the church,” said Biden, wearing a purple tie, a traditional color of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Biden, a Catholic, showed the congregation the rosary beads he wore around his wrist and spoke about the feeling of loss within his own life.

Biden’s son, Beau, died late last month of brain cancer.

“The reason I came was to draw strength from all of you,” Biden said. “I wish I could say something that would ease the pain.”

Biden received a standing ovation during the 21/2-hour service after reading a selection of Scripture.