article_snippet: Danforth, who is an ordained Episcopal priest, served 18 years as a Republican senator before retiring in 1995 and remains one of the more respected elder statesmen of Missouri politics.
article_snippet: Former Sen. Danforth leaves an overflowing Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton, Mo.
article_snippet: Former Sen. Danforth recited a passage from the gospel of Matthew in which Jesus describes as blessed those 'who are persecuted for righteousness sake' and against whom others 'utter all kinds of evil against you on Hancock's behalf.'
article_snippet: Former Sen. Danforth may have thought that I had abandoned
article_snippet: Former Sen. Danforth — left Former Sen. Danforth on the high ground all alone,' Former Sen. Danforth said.
article_snippet: Former Sen. Danforth shot Former Sen. Danforth about 13 minutes after talking to the AP reporter over the phone. '