Harold Camping Still on Leave From Family Radio; Recovering in Nursing Facility
Harold Camping, known for his failed May 21 rapture prediction, has been moved to a nursing facility after he was hospitalized earlier this month for a stroke, Family Radio Network said Tuesday.
"Mr. Camping has been moved to a Skilled Nursing Facility, where he is undergoing rehabilitation to regain his strength," Family Radio, where Camping serves as general manager and president, said in a special announcement posted Tuesday on its website.
"Mr. and Mrs. Camping greatly appreciate all the cards, letters and flowers they have received, as well as your continuing thoughts and prayers. God has been very merciful," the announcement stated.
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Camping, 89, had suffered from a mild stroke on the evening of June 9 and was admitted into a hospital in the Oakland, Calif., area. The stroke reportedly affected his speech, causing it to slur.
Ever since his hospitalization, Family Radio has been airing old broadcasts of the Open Forum program, where Camping takes Bible-related questions live from radio listeners each weeknight. Family Radio programs are broadcast on over 100 stations throughout the U.S.
Camping's organization spent millions of dollars publicizing the preacher's May 21 rapture prediction.
When doomsday didn't occur, Camping was widely mocked.
On May 23, the radio broadcaster held a press conference to insist that his predictions were overall correct. He said he made a mistake in forecasting that Judgment Day for May 21 would be physical but clarified that the judgment did occur in a“spiritual” sense.
Camping still maintains that his prediction of the End of the World is still on for October 21, 2011, but he moved the rapture date from May 21 to Oct. 21.
Camping will turn 90 on July 19.
