McCain Backer John Hagee Apologizes to Catholics

Elizabeth Holmes / The Wall Street Journal:
John Hagee, the controversial evangelical pastor who endorsed John McCain, will issue a letter of apology to Catholics today for inflammatory remarks he has made, including accusing the Roman Catholic Church of supporting Adolf Hitler and calling it "The Great Whore." In the letter, addressed to Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League and one of Hagee’s biggest critics, Hagee pledges "a greater level of compassion and respect for my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ." Hagee met with 22 Catholic leaders in Washington on Friday to apologize for his comments, according to a source familiar with the meeting.

Related:
Catholic League accepts Hagee apology
by Foon Rhee / Boston Globe
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. 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.

Posted by Editor at May 14, 2008 03:35 AM