DETROIT, April 19, 2008 (AP): Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick says God is punishing him for his ``disobedience.''

The mayor addressed a crowd Saturday at Fellowship Chapel Church in Detroit. He and his former chief of staff face perjury and other charges stemming from their testimony during a whistle-blower trial last year.

Kilpatrick told the crowd: ``I'm not being whupped by the devil; I am being punished by my God. I know that my disobedience put me in the situation I am in.''

His address was part of a Detroit Manpower Movement event aimed at getting more black men involved in volunteer efforts.

Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty denied having a romantic relationship, but excerpts of text messages contradict their testimony—they are under indictment for perjury and other charges.