CHICAGO (AP) – About two dozen black ministers from the Chicago area say they’re behind Barack Obama despite his split from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

The ministers said Friday they’re speaking out because they believe media attention on Wright has detracted from important issues in the presidential race.

The pastors refused to answer reporters’ questions about Wright. They only mentioned that the rift between Wright and Obama has been a distraction ahead of Tuesday’s critical Democratic primary in Indiana.

Over the past week, Wright has characterized criticism of his fiery anti-government sermons as an attack on the black church. Obama has denounced Wright’s comments as “divisive and destructive.”