Clinton: 'I Have Repented'

A year after confessing to sin and apologizing for scandal, President Clinton said Tuesday he has been profoundly moved "by the pure power of grace" and forgiveness from his family, associates and American citizens.

"Last year was one of the most difficult years in my life," Mr. Clinton told ministers gathered at the White House for his annual prayer breakfast. "This occasion, because of what it has come to mean to me, was a very difficult one."

At the same event last September, a moist-eyed Mr. Clinton apologized for the Monica Lewinsky sex-and-cover-up scandal that later led to his impeachment in the House and acquittal in the Senate.

"I have sinned. ... I have repented," he said then.

Tuesday, Mr. Clinton thanked people he said have helped him over the past year, including three ministers who have kept a promise to meet with him "both to help me and to hold me accountable."

A somber Mr. Clinton lowered his voice and bowed his head at the lectern to address the Lewinsky scandal. The audience of about 130 listened quietly. Some nodded their heads as he spoke.

"I would like to say only this about that," Mr. Clinton said, without naming Lewinsky. "I have been profoundly moved as few people have by the pure power of grace. Unmerited forgiveness through grace."

He owes thanks, he said, "most of all to my wife and daughter, but to the people I work with, to the legions of American people and to the God in whom I believe."

Ministers of all faiths, many in traditional robes, applauded as Mr. Clinton concluded: "I am very grateful to all of you who had any role in that."

At last year's breakfast, Mr. Clinton said his sorrow extended beyond his family, friends, staff and Cabinet to Lewinsky and her family.

It was the first time he had expressed any remorse for his affair with the former White House intern. He admitted he had a problem and promised to seek "pastoral support" and help from others.

Tuesday, the president also called on religious leaders to help America combat violence and gun deaths. He said that 13 children die every day in America from guns.

"If America is to be good, at least according to my faith, we must do more to prevent and overcome evil with good," the president said.

"I am convinced that the faith community can play a major role in protecting our children from violence, in supporting common-sense gun legislation, in participating in our campaign against youth violence, in forming community partnerships to identify and intervene in the lives of people before it is too late," Mr. Clinton added.

He also urged the House to approve Senate-passed legislation expanding the government's power to pursue perpetrators of hate crimes. The measure would add sexual orientation, gender and disability to the categories protected under federal hate-crime law. Currentl, the law only covers race, color, religion or national origin.