The minister at a Maine church apologized for a newspaper ad touting a sermon titled “The only way to destroy the Jewish race.” In a statement Monday, the Rev. Philip Andrukaitis of the South Portland Baptist Church wrote, “Please forgive me for causing alarm in your hearts.” The sermon actually was about fighting anti-Semitism and supporting Israel and Judaism.” The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, which published the ad Saturday, also apologized for what it called an “oversight” and said safeguards had been put in place to avoid a recurrence.
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