Bishop Ronald W. Gainer of Lexington has joined with local community leaders in condemning the act of hanging in effigy the Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. Barack Obama, which occurred on the University of Kentucky campus Oct. 29.

“The reprehensible and cowardly action of the responsible individual or individuals went beyond the civilized limits of political speech or civil discourse to an offensive display of contempt for Sen. Obama as a candidate but more importantly as a human being,” said the bishop. “No level of political or personal disagreement justifies such a lack of respect for another person’s God-given human dignity.”

Police are still investigating. Story via CNS.