How much is Luis Leon worth?
| Net Worth: | $5 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Reverend |
| Date of Birth: | 1961 |
| Country: | Cuba-born American |
| Height: | Unknown |
About Luis Leon
Cuban journalist, educator, and historian Luis Enrique Aguilar Leon, J.D., Ph.D. (1926 in Manzanillo, Cuba – 5 January 2008), had an estimated net worth of $5 million. After Atlanta pastor the Rev. Louie Giglio backed out due to his anti-gay sermons, the Rev. Dr. Luis Leon, who serves the Episcopal parish at St. John’s Church close to the White House, was chosen to deliver the benediction at President Obama’s second inauguration.
The Obamas have frequently attended the Cuban-American pastor Leon’s church because of his reputation for welcoming LGBT members.
Conservatives accused Leon of politicizing religion in his Easter Sunday 2013 speech, which drew their ire. The pastor said that it is “crazy” that the leaders of the religious right “always call us back” and demand that immigrants return to their side of the border, women return to the kitchen, and people of color sit in the rear of buses.
Early Years in Cuba’s Guantanamo
At the age of 11, Luis Leon left his birthplace of Guantanamo, Cuba, for the United States as part of Operation Peter Pan, a U.S. effort to free Cuban families from Fidel Castro’s communist government. In the belief that kids would be safer there, many Cuban families sent their children to the United States.
Eventually, Leon’s mother came to live with him in America, and they settled in Miami. Leon, a naturalized citizen, benefited from American policy, which recognizes Cuban immigrants as though they were political refugees and granted them legal status once they land in the US.
Leon graduated in 1971 from the University of the South. Later, in 1977, he earned a master’s in divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary, and in 1999, the University of the South awarded him an honorary doctorate in divinity. He was a founding member of the Washington Interfaith Network and the Wilmington, Delaware, Interfaith Network. He also serves on the board of regents of the University of the South.
The Spiritual Road to Washington, D.C.
A few dozen people attended St. Paul’s Church in Paterson, New Jersey, where Leon served as rector. During his time there, the congregation swelled to several hundred. St. Paul’s received the title of “Church of the Year” in 1985 from the New Jersey Council of Churches. Leon was honored with the Bishop’s Outstanding Service Award in 1986 for the “outstanding contributions were made to the Paterson church’s life, quality, and spirit.
Since its inception in 1815, St. John’s has had ties to every president of the United States. In 1995, Leon was appointed pastor of the church. President Obama has usually sat in Pew 54, which is designated for presidents if they chose to attend services.
George W. Bush, a former president, was a frequent visitor to the chapel. Invocation for Bush’s 2005 inauguration was delivered by Leon. Both St. John’s and its rector are frequently referred to as the “church of the presidents” Since James Madison, every president has attended church services, though not all of them have been members.
Lu Stanton León is the spouse of Luis. Emilia and Sofia, their two children, were born. Lu works as a consultant, editor, and writer in the industry.
The Benediction at Obama’s Inauguration
Leon stated that his goal in speaking during Obama’s inauguration was to inspire the nation spiritually. He said, “I think we’re asking God to elevate us up, to lift up what’s good in us, when we ask for a blessing for our nation. to serve as a reminder of our best qualities and to prompt us to act in the best interests of the nation.”
The following are some abbreviated quotes from the benediction:
We pray for your blessings as we attempt to become, in the words of Martin Luther King, “citizens of a beloved community, loving you and loving our neighbors as ourselves” as we mark the conclusion of President Obama’s second inauguration.
We ask that you continue to remain with us, for without it, hatred and haughtiness will creep into our hearts. But we are confident that we can tear down the barriers separating us with your blessing. Without your blessing, our hearts will be ruled by mistrust, bigotry, and resentment, so we pray for it today. But thanks to your participation, we are confident that we can strengthen the bonds of respect that best define our civic life.
Without your blessing, we shall live in distrust, hopelessness, and fear of people who are different from us. But with your blessing, we can realize that each of us is a unique, unrepeatable (sic), and irreplaceable creation of God’s grace, made in your likeness.
Without your blessing, we will only be able to see what the eye can see, so we pray for it. But with your approval, we will be able to realize that we are made in your likeness, regardless of our gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration status, wealth, or socioeconomic status.
We ask for your favor since, absent it, we will only see scarcity amidst abundance. But with your favor, we will be able to appreciate the generous gifts of this good land that you have bestowed upon this country.
What does the Lord expect of you but to do justice, to love compassion, and always walk humbly with God? We pray that the president, vice president, and everyone in governmental leadership would keep this in mind.
Dear President and Vice President, may God bless you each and every day. I pray for all of this in the most holy name, Amen.
God bless you, Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, throughout your life. In the midst of all this, we pray, Amen.
Luis Leon had an estimated net worth of $5 million at the time of his passing in 2008.
