AME Church denies withdrawing support for Obama

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The African Methodist Episcopal Church is condemning a false online report that the denomination withdrew support for President Barack Obama over his support for same-sex marriage.

In a statement released Monday, Bishop Samuel Green Sr., president of the Council of Bishops, said the denomination does not endorse candidates for political office.

Green also denied that the denomination is affiliated with the Coalition of African-American Pastors, which is calling on Obama to renounce support for same-sex marriage.

The erroneous report was published on Christian news website charismanews.com. On Tuesday, it appeared to have been taken down.

Obama was a featured speaker at the AME Church’s 2008 general conference. Last week, Michelle Obama addressed the 2012 conference in Nashville.