Watch A Univision Reporter Confront Pastor's Anti-LGBT Hate Speech

Luis Mejid: “Don't You Find That What You're Saying Is Irresponsible?”

From the June 14 edition of Univision's Noticiero Univision:

Video file

Translated transcript:

JORGE RAMOS (HOST): The commentaries repudiating a Hispanic pastor for his remarks after the Orlando massacre are multiplying. Luis Mejid has his controversial words.

LUIS MEJID (CORRESPONDENT): “Pastor, you don't think you were inciting violence?”

MEJID: Pastor Roger Jimenez accused the government and the press of taking his words out of context but the video of his Sunday sermon in Sacramento leaves no doubt about his position.

(START VIDEO)

ROGER JIMENEZ: What if you asked me: ​“Hey, are you sad that 50 pedophiles were killed today?” Um, no, I think that’s great. I think that helps society. You know, I think Orlando, Florida, is a little safer tonight, now that 50 -- you know, the tragedy is that more of them didn’t die. The tragedy is — I’m kind of upset that he didn’t finish the job. Because these people are predators. They are abusers.

(END VIDEO)

MEJID: Born in Venezuela, Jimenez finally told us he doesn't regret his words.

MEJID: It sounds like you're celebrating the deaths of these people.

ROGER JIMENEZ (PASTOR): Well I'm not celebrating people’s deaths --

MEJID: You're saying people shouldn't feel bad.

JIMENEZ: There's a difference between celebrating and being sad. I'm not sad they died.

MEJID: In his sermon, Jimenez went even further.

(START VIDEO)

JIMENEZ: I wish the government would round them all up, put them up against a firing wall, put a firing squad in front of them and blow their brains out.

(END VIDEO)

JIMENEZ: I understand not everyone will agree.

MEJID: You said that if it was up to you, the government should round them up, put them up against a wall and kill them all. You don't find that violent?

JIMENEZ: What I'm saying is that if the government was enacting the laws of God that's what it would do. So --

MEJID: So you would be fine with that?

JIMENEZ: I would be fine with that, yes. 

MEJID: With having them all killed?

JIMENEZ: Exactly.

MEJID: Don't you find that what you're saying is irresponsible?

JIMENEZ: No. I don't have any more time for you.

MEJID: The church is closed today. It isn't clear how many members this congregation has or whether they agree with their pastor's position, a pastor who continues to insist that his words are not a hate message, but an expression of his faith.

JIMENEZ: I think the government would be fine if they killed every homosexual. OK, have a good day.

MEJID: Sometimes, words are unnecessary.

Related:

Wash. Post: Pastor Refuses To Mourn Orlando Victims: ‘The Tragedy Is That More Of Them Didn’t Die’

Previously:

Fox's Geraldo Rivera Shames Orlando Victims For Not Fighting Back

Right-Wing Media Use The Worst Anti-LGBT Massacre In American History To Lecture The LGBT Community

NY Times Editorial Board Excoriates Republicans’ Anti-Gay Crusades In Wake Of Orlando Shooting