Pastor Apologizes For Controversial Remarks

By: Vaughn Ververs
Topics: In The News

Another pastor with connections to a presidential candidate is under scrutiny for controversial remarks he's made in the past. It's not the Rev. Jeremiah Wright in the news this time but John Hagee, a televangelist who has endorsed John McCain. In a letter to the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee is apologizing for once referring to the Catholic Church as "the great whore" and calling it "the apostate church," reports the AP.

"Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and Evangelicals in promoting the common good," Hagee wrote Catholic League president William Donohue, "I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful." Donohue appears to have accepted the apology, telling the AP, "to me, it's basically over."

Hagee has been under increased scrutiny in the wake of the Rev. Wright controversies. While there is no evidence McCain has a close past relationship with the pastor, he accepted his endorsement and the two appeared together at an event earlier this year. Hagee has made other controversial remarks, including apparently an assertion that Hurricane Katrina was the result of planned gay pride parade in New Orleans around that time. "All hurricanes are acts of God, because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that," Hagee told NPR.

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by cfin5 May 14, 2008 6:40 PM EDT: I''m glad the Apostle John did not apologize for telling the truth. I''ll stick with the Word that never changes though the copyrightin'' "scribes" been working on it.; Reply to this comment

by dnsallday May 14, 2008 2:07 PM EDT

Yes, but Hagee is white. It doesn''t matter what the crazy white pastors say. The media has ignored their hate speech for years.

Reply to this comment


by hockeymom441 October 14, 2009 4:34 PM EDT: This is so true!


by sjc_1 May 14, 2008 12:24 PM EDT: Pastors are not suppose to be political, this is how they keep their tax exempt status. When they become political then they become a political entities and are subject to election laws. They should keep this in mind.; Reply to this comment


by msswin May 14, 2008 10:20 AM EDT: Now if we can only get Hagee to take back his desire to nuke Iran in order to bring on the rapture. Or better yet to have McCain to call him on this. That too would be "laudable."; Reply to this comment


by wogerwabbit May 14, 2008 1:41 AM EDT: I look at this election as a life and death choice. Vote Democrat if you want our troops to live... or vote Republican if you want our troops to continue to die for a lie. It''s that simple and your choice will reveal your soul. Be careful.; Reply to this comment


by mcvet May 14, 2008 12:05 AM EDT: obama/wright: MENTOR. SPIRITUAL ADVISOR. twenty years.

all i''''m saying is, there is a difference.

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Posted by ccfsdca at 06:58 PM : May 13, 2008
+ report abuse

EXACTLY what is that? Now McSame has the same problem with HIS spiritual Adviser in Ohio doesn''t he??? I think it may be MUCH worse as I''m sure you will find out in the months to come. But THAT isn''t the issue. The Democrats and Obama NEVER ran their party and their elections based ON the beliefs and support OF these creatures like Pat Robertson or this loser! The Party that claims to be the party of "Family Values" MUST be held to a higher standard. The sword MUST cut both ways!!; Reply to this comment


by observantx May 13, 2008 11:00 PM EDT: So here we have the other side of the Wright-Obama coin. Another zealot with an agenda. I guess this evens things out.

The real test is whether we can pry these religious fanatics hands loose from our government. They''ve been furiously maneuvering to get back alley control of the White House to install their own theocracy for years.

To paraphrase a wise guy who once said: "Be very suspicious of a man who is totally convinced. Be a friend of man who has doubts"; Reply to this comment


by cfin5 May 13, 2008 10:55 PM EDT: Woe unto you when all men speak well of you. Remember anything like this Mr. Hagee?; Reply to this comment


by lukeinmexico May 13, 2008 10:43 PM EDT: What about the comments Hagee had about New Orleans deserving what they got with hurricane Katrina because they allow gay pride parades?
Is that not offensive enough to talk about? Or is it just that no one cares?; Reply to this comment