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..

I am sure politics played no roll in his conversion.

None whatsoever..

Right. Not for all of these years. Not until his comments are being compared to Rev. Wright. Right before a head to head contest between McCain and Obama. It wouldn't be possible for folks to lean on Hagee to make peace and take the issue off the table.

You could've said the very same thing about Wright before he had his little tour and VERIFIED that people weren't taking his comments out of context...

Hagee could've gone that route and said "Damn right I said it!...AND I'll say it again!!!" just like Wright did...

But he didn't...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Your right. But lets not pretend that this conversion didn't have something to do with politics.
And lets not forget McCain accepted Hagees support before this conversion.


I don't tie either one of these candidates to these religious leaders. But they both are. They both knew what they preached. And they played along for political reasons.

I am not using these stories to make my choice. And I hope nobody does.

Didn't say anything towards the otherwise...


Wrong...

A MAJOR question voters will think of is this...

"Does the candidate BELIEVE the rhetoric made by the religious leaders?"...

With McCain, that answer is easy...Hagee's remarks were against Catholics, and McCain IS a Catholic...

Just based on that alone, people can conclude that A) Hagee doesn't cling to his remarks against Catholics because he's actually endorsing a Catholic...and B) Nobody would think McCain has the same disgust shown in Hagee's original remarks about Catholics because he's a Catholic himself...

These are 2 points that can't be considered when the public asks themselves "Does Obama believe in Wright's statements?"...In fact, the opposite...Sitting in that church and listening to it for 20 years gives the appearance that Obama does have (at least) some belief in the pastor's remarks...

From Rasmussen two weeks ago...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

I would not like to see someone who may be a good POTUS be sidelined by something he didn't say. Thats all.

He didn't say "My pastor is a racist, and I will not be part of (and not give money to) this church that pushes these racist diatribes."...

He didn't say "I will NOT be on a board and have my political carreer started at the house of a person that intentionally planted bombs on American soil in order to harm America."...

It's exactly what he didn't say that could cost him...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

Do you think that the people who attend this church did so because they buy in to Wrights rants? Isn't a church of that size much more then the rants of one guy?

I just don't think Obama believes these things. And you may be right that people will hold this against him. I don't think I will.