Televangelist apologizes for remarks 'hurtful' to Catholics

WASHINGTON - The Rev. John Hagee, an influential Texas televangelist who endorsed John McCain, has apologized to Catholics for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having "emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews."

Hagee's support for McCain has drawn outrage from some Catholic leaders, who called on McCain to reject Hagee's endorsement. The likely Republican nominee has said he does not agree with some of Hagee's past comments, but did not reject his support.

In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote: "Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful."

Donohue, one of Hagee's sharpest critics, said yesterday that he accepted the apology and planned to meet with Hagee tomorrow in New York. "I got what I wanted," Donohue said. "He's seen the light, as they like to say. So for me it's over."

The controversy had threatened to pursue McCain, who won strong support from Catholic voters in the primaries, into the fall campaign.

A majority of Catholic voters backed President Bush in the past two presidential elections, critical votes in close elections.

Campaigning yesterday in North Bend, Wash., McCain said Hagee's apology was "very helpful."

"Whenever somebody apologizes for something they did wrong, then I think that that's a laudable thing to do," he said.

When asked if he or his campaign was behind brokering Hagee's letter, McCain simply said: "I certainly wasn't."

Hagee has cited the Inquisition and the Crusades as evidence of anti-Semitism within the Catholic Church and has suggested that Catholic anti-Semitism shaped Adolf Hitler's views of Jews. He 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 understood that the Book of Revelation's reference to the Catholic Church as "the apostate church" and the "great whore" are "a rhetorical device long employed in anti-Catholic literature and commentary."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Hill newspaper in Washington went to the trouble to ask the 97 US senators who aren't running for president whether they'd be interested in being vice president.

In responses published yesterday, it got a lot of the usual political pablum, many demurrals, and more than a few flat nos. But it also found some humor.

"No, I don't like going to funerals," said Republican Judd Gregg of New Hampshire.

"I plan to stick with my current job until I get the hang of it," said Edward M. Kennedy, a Democrat who has represented Massachusetts for 46 years.

"Once is enough," said Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2000. "I already have the T-shirt and I'm proud of it."

Said Bob Bennett, a Utah Republican: "Of course. Big house, big car, not much to do. Why not?"

And Larry Craig, an Idaho Republican who had been in the news for other reasons recently: "I would say, 'No Hillary.' "

FOON RHEE

CONCORD, N.H. - The chairman of the New Hampshire Republican Party has apologized to Senator Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton for joking about them being assassinated.

Fergus Cullen wrote in the humor section of his party's online newsletter last week about the Clintons boarding Air Force One for the last time when Bill Clinton left office. He wrote that his pride vanished watching Marines fire a 21-gun salute to the outgoing president and first lady. He said every one of the Marines missed.

State Democratic Party chairman Raymond Buckley said there is nothing funny about a president's assassination, and has called on Senators John McCain, Judd Gregg, and John Sununu to demand that Cullen resign.

Cullen said he regrets offending anyone.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Live from New York, it's John McCain.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee will make a cameo appearance this week on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," a comedy venue that most recently has been focused on the Democratic nomination contest.

Aides said the Arizona senator will appear on the program, to be hosted by comedian Steve Carell, although they were mum about the details of his sketch. During his weekend in New York, McCain also plans a series of media interviews, including one with Glamour magazine.

ASSOCIATED PRESS