Posted on 05/13/2008 8:59:43 AM PDT by JRochelle
The Texas megachurch pastor whose past comments about the Catholic Church have caused headaches for John McCain for over two months will issue an apology to Catholics later today, according a top Christian conservative.
John Hagee, pastor of San Antonio's Cornerstone Church, will send a letter to Catholic League President William Donahue expressing "deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful."
"After engaging in constructive dialouge with Catholic friends and leaders, I now have an improved understanding of the Catholic Church, its relation to the Jewish faith, and the history of anti-Catholicism," Hagee wrote in a letter running just over two pages.
In a carefully-coordinated plan, Donahue is to accept the apology with a statement of his own.
The conservative leader who shared the letter said McCain's campaign was not involved at all in encouraging Hagee to apologize.
Donahue has been among Hagee's most outspoken critics and called on McCain to repudiate the pastor soon after Hagee endorsed the Republican in March.
Hagee has drawn fire for describing Catholicism as "a Godless theology of Hate" and, what some have interpreted as, "the Great Whore."
Hoping to knock Mike Huckabee out of the race, McCain secured Hagee's public endorsement in the days before the March 4th Texas primary. But since then, the GOP candidate has been dogged by questions over why he would accept support from somebody who not only has criticized Catholics but also asserted that Hurricane Katrina was part of God's punishment for the decadence of New Orleanians.
McCain has not disavowed Hagee's endorsement, but has said that it was probably a mistake to pursue. A spokesperson for the candidate declined to comment on Hagee's apology
As Ron White would say. “Yeah, I’m listenin’”.
But why would McCain come to Texas for 20 years to see Hagee, have him give the wedding vows, and title his book after one of Hagee’s sermons. < /sarcasm >
LOL.
Oopsie, I got the date wrong!
I don’t know if he means it, but Mr. Hagee sure could lose a lot of weight. When sits around the house, he sits around the house!
Republicans have to keep their eyes on the ball. This is a smokescreen.
John Hagee is not, nor was he ever, John McCain’s pastor or close friend.
This guy is a total nut case!
Whatever happened with that whole Bill Maher thing?
Come on weegee, no one’s dumb enough to do that. :-)
I doubt he means it, but it’s interesting that he’s doing it anyway. Cui bono? McCain, obviously, but I’m not seeing where it helps Hagee at all. It sure isn’t going to boost book sales, and I’m guessing some parishioners are saying, “WTF?!” right about now. Hmmm...
Well, good for him.
+ God bless you Mr Hagee, and may the Holy Spirit dwell in you. +
That was my first thought as well.
Who is a total nut case? Bill Donahue?
How does a dope like Hagee who is that reckless ever get to be the leader of anything?
“I’m sorry if you misinterpreted my words, and were then offended, when I called your church the Great whore. But my words were taken out of context. If you had listened to the WHOLE sermon you would have heard my references to your theology of hate and it all would have made sense.”
Politicians should avoid wacky preachers of ALL stripes.
Yeah. That would be political suicide... in a sane country.
How sad that this once great site has sunk to such levels.
Hagee’s views on Israel are enough for me.
Hagee, keep your apologies, you fat little rodent. We Catholics are not that sensitive to even care what you say.
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