Pastor Hagee Apologizes For Anti-Catholic Remarks
Evangelical leader John Hagee, one of John McCain’s highest-profile supporters from the religious right, has apologized for comments he made that were offensive to Catholics.
In a letter Monday to Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote,
“I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”
Pastor Hagee, leader of San Antonio’s Cornerstone Church, has often made references to
“the apostate church” and the
“great whore,” terms that Catholics say are slurs aimed at the Roman Catholic Church.
In his letter, Hagee said he now better understands that the Book of Revelation’s reference to the Catholic Church by those two terms are “a rhetorical device long employed in anti-Catholic literature and commentary.”
“Neither of these phrases can be synonymous with the Catholic Church,” he wrote.
Donohue, accepting the apology, said on FOX News Radio: “I’m absolutely delighted … I haven’t seen such a quick turnaround in the 15 years that I have been president of the Catholic League.” He said he plans to meet with Hagee on Thursday.
Likening Hagee to two New York shock jocks who encouraged a pair of listeners to attempt to have sex in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 2002, Donohue added that he is receptive to honest apologies.
“We’re not in the business of rejecting apologies whether it’s from Opie and Anthony or Pastor Hagee so now when we meet we can understand that this issue is moot and behind us and I think it’s a great moment that we can have some degree of reconciliation.”
Hagee’s endorsement in February had been difficult for McCain, as Democrats, Donohue and others called on the presumptive GOP nominee to reject the pastor’s support.
McCain said Tuesday he didn’t know if the new apology would stifle criticism, but said it was “helpful” and “laudable.”
“I believe the fact that these two individuals came together is a laudable thing and a testimony to both individuals and their principles, which are Judeo-Christian values,” he said, adding that his campaign had nothing to do with brokering the apology.
McCain, who has taken pains to gain the trust of the religious right, has rejected specific statements from Hagee — namely about the Catholic Church and blaming the sinful behavior of New Orleans residents for Hurricane Katrina — but would not denounce the pastor.
Hagee apologized for the Katrina statements a couple weeks ago, saying it’s not his place to try to know the mind of God concerning the natural disaster.
Pastor Hagee Apologizes for Anti-Catholic Remarks - America’s Election HQ
Good for Hagee..he did the right thing..