Barack Obama has quit the Chicago church he attended for two decades – making a final break after inflammatory remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. and a second minister shook his campaign.

Obama submitted a letter of resignation to Trinity United Church of Christ on Friday, saying he was leaving his spiritual home for nearly all of his adult life “with sadness.” He told reporters last night that he didn’t want to have to answer questions every time someone at the church said something controversial.

“This was one I didn’t see coming,” Obama said of attacks on his links to Wright and the church. “I did not anticipate my fairly conventional Christian faith being subject to such scrutiny.”

Obama said he prayed about the decision with his wife, Michelle, and another Trinity pastor, the Rev. Otis Moss III, and didn’t want the church subject to added scrutiny because of his candidacy. “I am not denouncing the church. It’s not a church worthy of denouncing,” said Obama, who also said he hadn’t been there in months.

Personally, I think he should have done this from the beginning of the song and dance with Rev Wright.  Will this be help or hurt?  A good question.