Former Klan member is ordained minister

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SAN DIEGO, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A former Ku Klux Klan imperial wizard says he was ordained in San Diego so he could serve the nation's largest black denomination.

Former Klan member Johnny Lee Clary said he was authorized by the Church of God in Christ to take part in the ministry of racial reconciliation and conduct evangelism campaigns, the Tulsa (Okla.) World reported Saturday.

After joining the KKK Youth during his younger years, Clark went on to become the national spokesman for the White Knights of the KKK.

Clary said he began reconsidering his life choices and embraced religion.

The Tulsa World said that new path led Clary to his recent ordainment by the 6 million-member church and a new viewpoint about racism.

"I've learned that good friends come in all colors. I believe I have something to contribute in the area of racial reconciliation. I'm going to spend the rest of my life building bridges and bringing people together," said Clary, who deems racism a cancer on humanity.