March 14 (Bloomberg) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he ``vehemently'' rejects comments made by the longtime spiritual adviser and pastor of his Chicago church, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright Jr.

``I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy,'' Illinois Senator Obama said in a statement today.

Among the more provocative remarks was his suggestion that the U.S. brought the Sept. 11 attacks on itself.

``The stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards,'' Wright, who serves on Obama's African American Religious Leadership Committee, preached following the 2001 terrorist attacks. ``America's chickens are coming home to roost.''

In another sermon Wright suggested the U.S. may have had a role in spreading the AIDS virus.

``The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color,'' Wright said.

Wright, who is retiring from Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ after 36 years, prompted controversy and a swirl of speculation about his relationship with the Democratic presidential frontrunner after news outlets began replaying some of his past sermons.

Obama, who grew up largely without any organized religion, joined the church two decades ago as a young adult working as a community organizer in low-income neighborhoods. He and his wife, Michelle, were married at the church and his two daughters were baptized there.

Wright ``has never been my political adviser, he's been my pastor,'' Obama, 46, said today. The Illinois senator also said he never witnessed any of the sermons now causing controversy.

``The sermons I heard him preach were always related to our obligation to love God and one another,'' Obama said. ``To work on behalf of the poor and to seek justice at every turn.''

``Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life,'' he said.

Wright, who is on sabbatical from Trinity church, didn't immediately respond to requests for an interview.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Chipman at kchipman@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 14, 2008 18:45 EDT