Catholic League accepts Hagee apology
The Rev. John Hagee -- who in some eyes threatened to become to John McCain what the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. became to Barack Obama -- has apologized for remarks that offended many Catholics.
Catholic League President Bill Donohue said in a statement today that he accepted the apology and any dispute is over.
"After weeks of meeting with various Catholic leaders, and accessing scholarly literature on Catholic-Jewish relations, Pastor John Hagee has demonstrated an improved understanding of the Catholic Church and its history. In his letter to me, Hagee says, 'I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.' He specifically cites his emphasis of 'the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews,' and has pledged to provide a more complete and balanced portrayal going forward that will not reinforce mischaracterizations of the Catholic Church. And while he stresses that his invocation of terms like 'apostate church' and the ‘great whore’ were never meant by him to describe the Catholic Church, he acknowledges that anti-Catholics have long employed such language," Donohue said in his statement.
"The tone of Hagee’s letter is sincere. He wants reconciliation and he has achieved it. Indeed, the Catholic League welcomes his apology. What Hagee has done takes courage and quite frankly I never expected him to demonstrate such sensitivity to our concerns. But he has done just that. Now Catholics, along with Jews, can work with Pastor Hagee in making interfaith relations stronger than ever. Whatever problems we had before are now history. This case is closed."
Ever since the Texas televangelist endorsed McCain for president, the presumptive Republican nominee, has sought to distance himself from the controversial comments, arguing that just because he accepts an endorsement doesn't mean he agrees with all that person's views.
UPDATE: The Democratic National Committee called on McCain to distance himself further from Hagee.
"Now that Reverend Hagee is apologizing for his anti-Catholic comments, does John McCain think that Hagee should also apologize for his other comments? If so will he have the courage to say so publicly?" asked DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney "Unless John McCain's idea of being a new kind of Republican includes cozying up to radicals who compare women to dogs, hold racially insensitive fundraisers and call one of the worst natural disasters in our country's history God's punishment, he should renounce John Hagee's endorsement immediately. Given John McCain's history of putting political calculations ahead of his principles, we're not holding our breath."
UPDATE: Campaigning in North Bend, Wash., McCain today said Hagee's apology was "very helpful," the Associated Press reported.
"Whenever somebody apologizes for something they did wrong, then I think that that's a laudable thing to do," he said. Asked if he or his campaign played a role in brokering Hagee's letter, McCain simply said: "I certainly wasn't."
Obama repudiated Wright, his former pastor, earlier this month after controversy rebubbled over his remarks about US culpability for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and other incendiary comments.
Presenting this as a "news" item is nonsense. Hagee is an ideological freak who hides behind Jesus to spew hateful nonsense on a daily basis, and Donahue is a one man organization who represents nothing but his own ego.
The "apology" and it's "acceptance" by Donahue is a dog and pony show designed to take the political heat off of McCain for embracing the support of a nutcase like Hagee. It's all a game to allow the right wing attack dogs to continue to go after Obama and his former pastor, while giving McCain and Hagee a pass on Hagee's hateful lunacy.
Why oh why oh why do journalists run to Donahue everytime a Catholic issue arises? And why do they give freakish loons like Hagee a national forum?
I weep for the profession of journalism and for the electorate who get their news from this sort of shameless nonsense.
Isn't this nice? After calling my church "the great whore," he gets to say "I'm sorry" and we forgive and forget and move forward. Now, if only Obama supporters would apologize for the names they've called my candidate, I might vote Democratic in November in the name of "party unity." Don't hold your breath.
religion divides us all
Bill Donahue does not represent Catholic or the Roman Catholic Church. He is an ultra-conservative representing himself and his causes. Please don't elevate him by suggesting that his "acceptance" of the apology somehow validates it.
Dennis nailed it. Nothing more to say, except .... Don't you think your story should have pointed out that Catholics make up about 25% of the American population while the Catholic League could fit its entire membership in a typical Burger King with space left over.
Sorry, apology not accepted by this Catholic. Hagee has a long history of venom toward catholicism. I doubt he would be making an apology if there were not an election at hand. A tiger does not change his stripes. Baptists will say and do many hateful things, i.e. - the KKK, cross burning, lynchings - and then go to church and sing "praise be to God." Sorry, this "religion" offends me.
So this Scopes Monkey Trial creep calls the Catholic Church a cult!!! Wow! If only 2000 years ago we hadn't broken away from his church in San Antonio, Catholics would be on the right path. And if only Pastor Hagee had more than a third grade education he wouldn't spew such a hateful message
As a Christian, I do not agree with many statements that have been made by Pastor Hagee. But, I must commend him for his apology to the Catholic Church regarding some controversial statements he made. To me this is what being a Christian is all about. What he did was very proactive and it shows proof that God can change one heart for the good of all mankind.
God Bless the whole world -- NO exceptions
40 years ago, a great prophet was sent to speak to the soul of this nation on the issue of race, but he was assisinated. Another civil rights movement, this one incognito, has produced another prophet, 40 years to the very season that the last one was killed. For sure, attempts have been made to assisinate the character of this last prophet. Every card that could be played - the race card, the Muslim card, the patriotism card, the qualifications card, the guilt by association card, the gender card, and the fear card - have been thrown his way, but they can find no fault in him. While John Hagee's apology is sincere, it's obvious that the same standard that applies to Barak Obama does not apply to John McCain, one is black and the other white. While some will read this comment and grit their teeth while thinking how tired they are of hearing about race and why can't we all just ignore it, the issue of race won't go away until we deal with it. Jesus never let a demon live inside a person, He always casts it out. The race issue won't get out of the sould of this nation until we expose it and then pray, pray hard that it is cast out. This problem has been going on for too long, nearly through out the life of this nation and we keep killing the prophets sent to us. Barak will be the last prophet sent to this nation.
tsk...tsk...
The only hate I see here is coming from Dennis Fisher.
Why can't you be tolerant of those who are different from you in this great multi-cultural diversity we call America?
Where is the love?
After this dog and pony show the Republicans better not use the Write Controversy to go after Obama. If they want to spread forgiveness than they need to do it unconditionaly. I am sure this apology was only written because of McCain running for president. What BULL!
So now as per Hagee the fire breathing five foot square, over fed, overpaid vile hog, the Catholic Church is not the "Great Whore" of Babylon and "The Anti Christ" . But looks like the Catholic Church goes along and agree that the destruction of Catholic New Orleans , death of thousands of poor blacks and displacement of millions more from the US Gulf Coast on account of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was gods punishment for the homosexuals, gays, lesbians and big easy lifestyle of the Greater New Orleans. No doubt the Pope in his all white attire on his visit to the US did not bother to mention New Orleans and what part of his flock suffered in that devastated and polluted environment. The hypocrites Donahue and nutcase Hagee close the case all in the expediency of politics.
with all do respect, you people who try to equate Hagee with Rev. Wright are letting your ideological slip show. McCain did not attend Hagee's church for a generation, did not have his kids baptized by Hagee or make huge donations to Hagee over the years. McCain can't control who endorses him but he can control what pew he sits in -- why not do a little research into the church McCain actually does belong to, hint: its in Arizona not San Antonio. As a Catholic, i was never to upset by Hagee's comments. I expect them. He is a Protestant and the whole reason they exist is to splinter off from the Catholic Church. Also as a Catholic I accept his apology and hope it to be sincere... but there is no equivalenc with Rev. Wright who REALLY was Obama's pastor for years, telling people that the U.S. invented AIDS and deliberately infected blacks with it and that the U.S. had 9/11 coming to it, etc... he never spoke up until he was running for president ...hmmmmm
G.K. Chesterton who found that much of our objecting to Christianity is not because it has been tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult and left untried. Christians as well as unbelievers have to keep in mind that we are still human after all, this was one of the reasons for which Christ came to earth to begin with and he didn't not come here to acknowledge a religion, but to illustrate faith.
After this dog and pony show the Republicans better not use the Write Controversy to go after Obama. If they want to spread forgiveness than they need to do it unconditionaly. I am sure this apology was only written because of McCain running for president. What BULL!
As a Catholic I have been deeply offended by John Hagee over the years. I'm not looking at his apology with Pollyanna eyes, but I think the burden is on Catholics to take Hagee at his word and give him the benefit of the doubt. We ought to believe Hagee's apology is sincere. Catholics should also realize that this apology puts Hagee in hot water with other virulently anti-Catholic protestants for they will judge Hagee as a protestant apostate for taking this first step in seeking peace with us "Romanists".
The only reason zealots like Hagee and the rest of the southern Christian right support Judism and Isreal is that they believe that once all the jews have returned to Isreal then Christ will reappear. That's right, George Bush bases his 21st century on the old testament. Just 250 days left of the worst administration in U.S. history.
Are the Democrats going to apologize for promoting homosexual behavior, which is condemned by many religions? Give it a break. Political correctness is ridiculous. If you have an opinion on anything people are going to disagree with you, especially if they're wrong and don't want to admit it.
It's time for grown adults to get out of nursery school and realize that things don't always go your way and sometimes you're just plain wrong.
Liberals can't do that. That's why they're impossible people.
Making it matter that John Hagee has anything to say about anything- in itself- is a shame.
To John Spencer, while you are at your computer you should google "The Tuskegee Experiment." 399 African Americans had syphilis and were studied for 40 years to observe the progress of the disease while treatment was withheld from them. It might help explain why some African Americans think that AIDS is not such a leap.
Catholics owe Hagee nothing. This is blatantly political expediency at its worst. With abortion as a non-issue this election, Republicans have no wedge issue to keep the Catholic vote.
I will believe this 'apology' when I see Hagee at Confession on Saturday!
I've actually seen the video. I'm not part of Hagee's church, but it's obvious to me that he was talking about a `false church' that will spring up around the anti-Christ, according to Revelations. His sole reference to the Catholic Church was a Hitler quote about how he was `not going to do anything the Roman Church hadn't done for centuries'. He was obviously wrong to use loaded language associated with anti-Catholic bigots. However, unlike a certain other pastor I could mention, he's repented and asked forgiveness. And McCain, to his credit never tried to justify what Hagee had said as `normal' as Obama did.
Vast difference..in more ways than one.
hey atleast while this is in the news we can remind everyone about the hateful and virulently anti-american rhetoric of obama's "mentor" the reverend jeremiah wright. maybe wright can give louis farrakhan ANOTHER award, that'd be great.
I dont think he should have apologized.......You will not hear no such apology from that racist Jermiah Wright. To compare theology remarks by Hagee and racists remarks by Wright is ridiculous. Religion is a choice so if I want to say you are wrong for being catholic I can!!!! Homosexuallity is a choice and I have the right to disagree with that also! But, we cannot help what skin we where born with. So anyone making negative comments about a race of people is unacceptable! Making a comparison between the two is just down right lame. It just doesnt hold water. Of course the left wing PC Nazi's will sell their own souls just to make the comparison stick in order to silence the right on the issue of race. I just hope that McCain will have enough backbone not to get scared to jump on the issues. Obama is getting a get out of jail free card just because he is black....so maybe JW needs to shut his racist mouth before his church's tax exempt status gets revoked ( should have already happened ) for campaigning from the pulpit! For the record I dont like Hagee ( fat windbag ) or Wright ( racist crybaby )
Hey bob, Rev. Wright volunteered to be a marine and had two combat tours in Vietnam while your warmongering pes. and VP were using connections to get out of danger. Who do you think is the greater patriot, those use challenge others patriotism or those whose actions speak louder. I do not agree with Wright, but he has earned the right to speak his mind. I do not think he speaks for Obama.
However, republican cadidates have been courting the nutjob southern baptist vote for decades. Hagee's statements are not new or unique. First place "W" campaigned was "Bob Roberts University" (good hillbilly name) who extolls the same rhetoric and no one has condemned it. As a Catholic from Ohio I had to endure all kinds of comments about the Pope being the anti-christ and the Church as the great whore. Show me one baptist with all his teeth or married to someone outside of his family.
In reading the various comments, it has given me reason to reflect. It really doesn't matter what John Hagee says--call him what you may, or what I say, but it matters what God says. The Jewish people are God's chosen & what the Bible says will be what comes to pass. When you think how far this nation has plummeted morally & spiritually, I don't see how judgment could be far away. The only way to get rid of racism is thru a change of heart. The only way to get rid of abortion is for people to "stand up" against it. You can call me "far right", but I served my country during the Vietnam Conflict & I have a son who served in Iraq. It really saddened me & others who came back from Vietnam to see the division in this Country & the hate being spewed out. Yes, we knew about what many people were saying here in the US then & my son is aware of what's going on now. The only solution is to love one another as Christ loved the Church. Many of the Islamists are totally deceived. Only the truth will set them free. We are not talking about religion, but a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the only solution.
As was stated earlier ... "Bill Donahue does not represent Catholic or the Roman Catholic Church. He is an ultra-conservative representing himself and his causes". Please don't use him to represent my church.
Jimmy, Jimmy Buchanan, you say we should love one another and then turn around and condemn Islam. Jimmy, Islam and Judism do not believe in Christ. Why do you think this is the ONLY way. This thought process that "my way is the only way" is the real problem. You also say it is not about religion, "but a relationship with Jesus Christ." That is religion Jim-Bob.
What is your son aware of, that people think this war is wrong and immoral?
Why does the world except it when muslims says that Islam is the only way but if a Christain says it then...Oh My Gosh how intolerant. Hmmmmmm. The real Muslims are the ones we call terrorist and the real Christians are the ones we call intolerant. Anyone in the middle is not committed to their faith. Real Muslims believe what the Koran says ( their way is the only way ) and real Christians believe what the Bible says ( that Jesus Christ is the only way ) People who actually live the way their Holy Books tell them are considered extremist. Until there is a One World Govt. and a Universal Church ( its going to happen ) this will never change. Be glad we still have the freedom to choose our Faith and reserve the right to disagree with those who disagree with us. Im outta hear!
Jesus was not tolerant of all religions. Jesus clearly states that "I am THE way THE truth and THE life. No man comes to the Father but through me. John 14:6. BUT, Jesus was tolerant of all people. Hagee quoted from Revelation 17:1-6, (not Hitler) which discusses "the Great Whore". Great men and women have interpreted that passage and identified the whore as the only worldwide and politically powerful religious system. Remember, it was Catholic intolerance for independent thinkers for 1,000 years (burning at the stake, torture in dungeons, throwing people off cliffs, forbidding the reading of the bible) that gave rise to Protestantism. We live in a free country based on religious freedom and freedom of speech. What is intolerant is castigating any person for his religious belief, regardless how wrong they may be. Right or wrong, Hagee expressed his opinion about a religious system, not an individual.
Calling the Catholic Church the "Whore of Revelation" is scripturally errant. Yes, JH certainly did do what so many others do, which is "refer to the darkest days of the Catholic Church". These statements are intolerant, ignorant of history and an exhibition of his lack of understanding about what he confesses to believe and his misunderstanding of who and what he or the Catholic Church is. Being a former Catholic and presently a Baptist-ish type of Bible-Believer, I do understand that people outside the Roman Catholic Church have not a clue what is meant, respresented or what has been goodly done by the Catholic Institution. All western society was Roman Catholic society at one time and they kept the bible from abuse and tyranny while the mainstream tried to get it from them and did accomplish in keep the Bible and all other literature from the coomon folk to dumb them down and produce slavelike migrant lower class to get their worth. The Catholic Church kept those people in mind when they fought against injustices and protect the less fortunate. Even the Catholic got people in positions of authority however that reflected life as a whole in the common world. Hagee has a lot of thanks to give the Catholic Church for being there for brothers like himself, ignorant, lowly educated people. Splitting hairs is not something he should do with the Catholic beliefs and that of Conservative Baptists, they are Christians too. The Whore of Revelation is an Apostate Church and to ignorantly point fingers at the Catholic is quite inconsiderate, since the coming world religion whose beliefs DO NOT love God is vastly different than the goodly Roman Catholic Church who nurtured many a underpriveledged for centuries, besides he has other brethen like the KKK protestant-ites to apologize for himself, if this is a kiss and make up story. Dimwitted folks in the last days as well as the educated will fall for this new religion of old concepts are the most susceptible to this ignorance. The real culprit in all this is ignorance and the fear of someone being different.
Pastor Hagee is a hatemonger wrapped in ideological claptrap. To acknowledge that he represents anything other than the worst in religious demagoguery is to deny ones own moral compass. There comes a point where hatred is just not washed away. The suggestion that his apology is sincere is in itself a lie and a moral compromise that should never be made.
Recognize Hagee for what he is and McCain for what he is...a hypocrite sucking up for votes without regard for his own moral values. This is just another example of how McCain has given up on his own values as he struggles to make a candidacy out of pandering.
AS A DEVOUTED CATHOLIC WHAT REV.HAGEE SAID IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND CAN ONLY BE FORGIVEN DUE TO OUR CATHOLIC FAITH.BUT TO CARRY ON JUDGING AND PERSECUTING OBAMA FOR WHAT THE PASTOR HE FOR ME WRONGFULLY DENOUNCE IS A SHAME .AND AS CATHOLICS WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN THAT.McCAIN HAS NEVER BEEN A TRUE CHRISTIAN AND WILL NOT BECAUSE OF ELECTION CHANGE TO BE JUST OVER NIGHT.AS CATHOLICS WE SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND NOT ALLOW THOSE THAT CAN DO ANYTHING JUST TO WIN AN ELECTION.I BELIEVE IF ANYONE IS TO BE PARDONED,IT SHOULD BE BARACK OBAMA,WHO I CAN ATLEAST CALL A CHRISTIAN.
if God withheld forgiveness the way we do to others, eternity would be hell. God's thoughts are not like our thoughts, thankfully. God teaches that vengeance is His, and that we ought to trust Him, and extend love and grace to others, as He has done for us. i am glad that God does not extend the same unforgiveness for the many foolish things i've said as some of you "christians" have, and i am glad that you are not allowed to judge me, as that is His job, and His alone.
The word of God says to forgive and if we do not forgive, God will not forgive us.
I think sometimes people takes what a person says and turns it around to mean
what they want it to mean or be... It is really sad that when a person who is in
the light as is Pastor Hagee is crucified for being human. We all at one time
or other say or do things that we should not.
If people are truly born again christians (no matter what religion they practice) we should know that we all fail God at one time or another in our lives. We as human beings fail other human beings every day. So maybe, we should all go to our Father who is in heaven and ask him how we should react before degrading and pointing fingers at a person who says something that we do not like or just ingnorant to the subject. God says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If you read your Bible, which if you consider yourself a "Christian" should be doing, no matter what religion you are you might would not be so
quick to put down another person.
Also, for those of you who do not know how a person goes to heaven, get a BIble,
and read it. It tells us that unless we repent (turn away from) and ask forgiveness
of our sins we will not enter the gates of heaven. We need to go to our heavenly
Father, God who sent his only son Jesus and ask for forgiveness, so that the
blood he shed on Calvary can pass over all of our sins. It is only thru Christ
that anyone can enter the gates of heaven......................je
ALL false systems are coming to a close! period end of the story. The true identity of YHWH'S remnant is HIS Name--YHWH. The title or counterfeit teachings from counterfeit christianity adopted the practice of the false priests of the pagan religions and that of the teachers of numerous pagan teachings that gave framework to parts of christianity. Sun god worship is the father of christianity and who is the father of that The Council of Niccea which addresses some of foundational doctrines of their church that would carry powerful influence over all who would follow this same false course, yes, it is desperate times and they the false faith is taking desperate measures. Keep in mind, the many times that the The Vatican and the Council have went on record with "TRUTHS" that proves that they felt that they had the right to change the days and times and seasons of Biblical proven by The Almighty and caused many to forsake the true faith BECAUSE OF THEIR MAN MADE PERSECUTION and splintered organizations.
The verdict is already out on who is who. It is time to run run for your life from the fate that lies ahead. Not one of you have understood what is about to happen. The Law is going to be enforced to ONLY HAVE SUNDAY WORSHIP so that is why THE Ecumenical movement will be wrote into law. So the straying away from the plot of Mystery Babylon, THE GREAT, The Mother of Harlots and ABominations of the Earth[ the harlots are ALL other churches that have their ROOTS in the Catholic Church] Rev. 17: 1-6 Most Catholics don't have or read the Bible. These daughters, think they are separate from her, but they are not, that's why JH had to apologize, His Father is the Devil and He is doing His biding. Christianity is in captivity of deception. Why is the Council of Niccea, so dangerous, it is setting into place the reign and rule of the "man of sin." TRIUNITY , Catholic teaching that the Christianity doctrine carries as truth. The weekly communion is another perversion of Holy Scriptures Passover observance is what Believers should be practicing in the faith of Yahushua HaMoschiah, most christians and catholics don't have true identity of the the Messiah. Why would the Vatican want to make Jerusalem transfer to Italy? What is a Mass? Even the Name of our Messiah is false "JESUS who? All these things will bring destruction because of unbelief in the Holy Scriptures. All Protestant churches having gone back to the Roman Catholic Church, will constitute a ONE WORLD CHURCH. So a man thinketh so is He. The words are in the air and given life to breed and saved those that will be saved and separate those that are of a different fold. TRUTH STANDS STILL AND A LIE WILL FALL TO THE GROUND WHERE THE BLOOD OF THE RIGHTEOUS CRY OUT FOR "JUSTICE." Protestants lay down your 501c3s and come home. Catholics find out what you think you believe and LET THE TRUTH SET YOU FREE, In Yahushua HaMoschiah's name. You will see the Common Market nations and leaders replace YHWH in the affairs of men and nations and claim that is the only way that civilization can be saved. The Times of the Gentiles is about to end. Yahushua is coming soon and bring in His own Kingdom.Deut. 8:18,19: 4: 23 Ephesian 5:23 1 Thess. 4: 13-18 GO READ IT FOR YOURSELF and pray for direction in the Spirit of Truth. The Truth lS WITH THE JEW>AMEN
McCain doesnt even know pastor Hagee, nor have they ever even lived in the same state. REv Wright was Obama's close friend and spirtual mentor.
Obama and the democrats have no leg to stand on regarding anti catholicism. 23 of the 25 members of Obama's Catholic outreach team are out of communion with the Catholic church ( they've excommunicated themselves) for their anti-catholic views on the sanctity of human life. ( ie Abortion, killing human embryos for research), 23 of 25!!!!!!
What kind of spineless Pastor is this guy who recants his beliefs at the first whining from the Catholic church?
If I was one of his followers, I'd be so disgusted.
By the way, when is the Catholic church going to ask forgiveness for killing milions of people and molesting all those kids?
HMMMmmmm?????
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