Pastor Rick Warren briefly hospitalized after severely burning his eyes
Evangelical preacher Rick Warren was briefly hospitalized earlier this week following an eye injury, according to a message the popular pastor sent to his followers on Twitter on Thursday thanking them for their prayers as he resumed his recovery.
Warren tweeted that on Monday, his eyes "were severely burned by a toxic poison," and he experienced
"excruciating pain." He said he was now home but was expected to visit the doctor again later Thursday.
"May God use this pain for His Glory," Warren tweeted. He tweeted that protective contacts had been placed on his corneas as bandages to help them heal.
"I am NOT blind," he tweeted.
Warren's spokesman, A. Larry Ross, said that one of the pastor's favorite ways "to unwind" was horticulture and gardening, and on Monday he was working in his yard.
Warren was using gloves to prune two large firestick plants in his backyard, Ross said. The succulent has a milky white sap that can cause temporary blindness. When Warren removed his gloves, he wiped his brow and both of his eyes immediately started to burn, Ross said.
The pain was so intense, the pastor "couldn't even articulate" to his wife what had happened, Ross said.
Warren's wife called 911, and an emergency vehicle transferred the pastor to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, where he was treated by an eye specialist, Ross said.
"The pain was so excruciating the first 24 hours, he couldn't open his eyes," Ross said.
Warren was hospitalized overnight and released Tuesday.
According to Ross, Warren suffered a chemical burn to the cornea, which caused temporary impairment of his vision. Warren's vision had since improved, and although he was still experiencing some discomfort, "doctors expect a full recovery," Ross said.
The pastor's aftercare treatment included wearing protective contact lenses, using a special ointment and follow-up visits with eye specialists, Ross said.
Warren, founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest in Orange County and author of the multimillion-selling book "Purpose Driven Life," had not been scheduled to preach this month, according to his publicist. He had blocked out this month to work on developing his curriculum for the fall, Ross said.
-- Ann M. Simmons
Photo credit: Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
He maybe able to "see", but he's still blind.
Posted by: My opinon means nothing | July 22, 2010 at 06:19 PM
Thoughts & prayers for Pastor Warren for a speedy recovery!!
Posted by: Verballistic | July 23, 2010 at 12:57 AM
Rick Warren blinds himself!!
This plant is a native of Africa where Rick has been preaching against civil rights for all people for years. How could this be anything but a message to him from God.
More subtly, it demonstrates that until recently Rick Warren had been relying on others to do his gardening. The illegals who used to garden for him know all about the toxic nature of this particular euphorbia. The fact that he was so ignorant about what he was doing testifies to the fact that he has been reduced to tending his own garden and can no longer afford illegals to do his bidding. I'll bet they never blinded themselves.
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
Posted by: Ellie | July 23, 2010 at 10:37 AM
I'm sure there's a lot of people out there praying for him. I sure am!
Posted by: Adam | July 23, 2010 at 02:17 PM
He maybe able to "see", but he's still blind.
Posted by: My opinon means nothing | July 22, 2010 at 06:19 PM
The only thing this guy see's is the accounting ledger. When it dip's below a certain figure...he appeals to his flock...so he can SEE black once again. It's more of selling snow to Eskimo's. By the way Rev. Rick would never hire a person of non-legal resident status....but his Personal Assistant sure would! This guy is full of Bovine excrement he gets residual checks from Bandini after each of Sermon's....
Posted by: imacobru | July 23, 2010 at 04:59 PM
First Glenn Beck and now Rick Warren, both in a week. Might the Lord Himself be sending them a message about spiritual blindness??
Posted by: RealTalk2011 | July 23, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Has any news source confirmed that this really happened other than his Tweet? Is it possible donations are down and he wanted some sympathetic press. It all sounds fishy too me. Fishy and Loavesy
Posted by: Kimberly Clark | September 21, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Does this event have anything to do with, "Taking the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye?"
Posted by: Kini Cosma | February 07, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Why do people listen to Rev Rick if they believe him to be so crooked? I appreciate his messages very much and hope he continues.
Posted by: Betty Oieson | March 12, 2011 at 02:14 PM