McCain “categorically rejects” Hagee’s anti-Catholic statements

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 17

Sen. John McCain / Rev. John Hagee

New Orleans, La., Mar 8, 2008 / 03:25 am (CNA).- Senator John McCain made efforts on Friday to do more than just distance himself from the anti-Catholic teachings of John Hagee by repudiating any comments made by the well known televangelist.

In an interview with the Associated Press the Republican presidential candidate said, "We've had a dignified campaign, and I repudiate any comments that are made, including Pastor Hagee's, if they are anti-Catholic or offensive to Catholics”.

McCain also brought up the fact that he sent his children to Catholic schools as proof of his acceptance of Catholics. "I sent two of my children to Catholic school. I categorically reject and repudiate any statement that was made that was anti-Catholic, both in intent and nature. I categorically reject it, and I repudiate it," McCain said.

He also tried to strike a conciliatory tone for his campaign by saying, "we can't have that in this campaign. We're trying to unite the country. We're uniting the country, not dividing it."

McCain started to take flak when televangelist John Hagee endorsed him on Feb. 27, but until Friday, his response was simply that he doesn't agree with everyone who endorses him. At the time of the endorsement, Senator McCain called Hagee “the staunchest leader of our Christian evangelical movement,” and praised his pro-Israel stance.

This embrace of Hagee’s backing provoked Bill Donahue of the Catholic League to point out the pastor’s anti-Catholic beliefs. “Indeed, for the past few decades, he has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church, said Donahue. “For example, he likes calling it ‘The Great Whore,’ an ‘apostate church,’ the ‘anti-Christ,’ and a ‘false cult system’,” he pointed out.

The senator’s acceptance riled other Catholics besides Donahue, and according to McCain he had been hearing from Catholic supporters that they find Hagee’s teachings offensive.

Hagee's endorsement had been intended to bolster McCain's support among evangelical Christians, many of whom distrust McCain for some of his more moderate views and his willingness to work with Democrats.

Comments: 17

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Me
Columbia, MD 05/05/2008 12:03 PM EST

What exactly is the difference between Hagee's endorsement, and Wright's speeches? I smell hypocrisy here (as I'd only expect..)

Published by: Jan
Arizona 03/12/2008 02:25 PM EST

I will defend Pator Hagee's statements. He tells it as the Bible states...the end is definatly near, wake up people! Be ye not decieved......

Published by: Hope F.
VA/USA 03/10/2008 06:59 PM EST

I hope McCain was not fully aware of what this Hagee nut preaches about the Catholics! I am glad he has finally rejected his teachings! I hope he rejects HIM totally.

Published by: Sal Marino
Colchester CT USA 03/10/2008 02:15 PM EST

Sen. McCain should have repudiated Pastor Hagee and not just his comments. He should also give back give back his endorsement. Sen. McCain is only trying to get the Catholic vote by making this statement. And it appears it's working by the publishing of this article and some of the feedback received. Another Republican "spinning" the U.S. Catholic Church with the sole purpose of getting elected. Shameful!!!

Published by: Nancy J
Washington State 03/10/2008 11:51 AM EST

As a Roman Catholic I am relieved by John McCain's rejection of Hagee. It always saddens me to see hate-mongering and his is especially despicable.

I was interested to learn that McCain sent two of his children to Catholic schools. I heard recently on a radio show that his teenage daughter was an orphan expected to die that Cindy McCain brought home from a mission to Bangladesh,I believe. I would like to hear more of that story.

Published by: Laura
MOnroe ,MI 03/09/2008 07:10 PM EST

I find Pstr Haggee very offensive and I am and still will be a Catholic. It is people like him who think their way is right always causing division rather than portraying love and unity. Jesus din't have to prove anything he always spoke the truth and let the Spirit do the rest. I believe it's time for Pstr Hagee to do Jesus' work and stop bashing other Christians.

Published by: Annette Nigro
Joliet, IL 03/09/2008 08:56 AM EST

I intend to vote for McCain, so it is good to hear him defend my Church. I wish McCain believed in stem cell research but not embryonic stem cell research. Embryos have a soul our Church teaches and I believe. They never should have been generated or harvested in the first place for such research, because research shows nothing good comes frm embryonic stem cells, only adult stem cells. So what's the point anyway?

Published by: Jan
Arizona 03/09/2008 03:07 AM EST

As an Arizonan and a cradle Catholic... well, rather than what I was going to say which would earn me a penance, I'll just keep both of these men in my prayers that they both eventually find the Light of Christ.

Published by: Matthew Scallon
Chula Vista/CA/U.S.A. 03/08/2008 11:13 PM EST

"If?" What's "if"-fy about "Whore of Babylon," "Anti-Christ," and "apostate religion system?" It's not a matter of "if," it's "that." Were the senator to replace "if they" with "that," that would be acceptable, and only the most politically opportunistic sort from the anti-life side would make any more of it. The senator hasn't, so pass the political ammo.

Published by: R. Maloney
East Patchogue, NY 03/08/2008 09:37 PM EST

It took eleven days to reject these galling statements. It should have taken 11 seconds. What was McCain mulling over all that time ?

Published by: mary elizabeth englebrecht dehart
nirth carolina 03/08/2008 04:40 PM EST

someone needs to tell mr. hagee about maxilian kolbe and mother teresa.gave the catholics a good name there is good and bad in every church even mr. hagees.either you are far left into abortion and legal gay preists or far right and defend the faith to keep our country moral. the anti christ is the false spirit that is entering all churches to cause divison the downfall of all great empires and governments. we need to have courage and great determination to keep our country one nation under G-d.

Published by: catherine
melbourne fl. 03/08/2008 03:31 PM EST

I am hoping and yes praying that the American people vote John McCain in for president. He is our only hope for this country. Please GOD,hear our prayer.

Published by: Edward RRowan Sr
Charleston, WV USA 03/08/2008 11:43 AM EST

West Virginia people are independent when voting. Registeration is 2 to 1 Democratic. McCain can carry WV despite that fact.

Published by: ellabokovitz
gallipolis, ohio,usa 03/08/2008 10:39 AM EST

I am really riled with mccain acceptance of hagee's endorcement. I am a catholic and am much affended by his remarks. i hope mccain will denounce his endorcement. we don't need that kind of help. He will turn more republicans catholics away.2

Published by: Maria NAVE
lATROBE, PA 03/08/2008 10:37 AM EST

Thank God, he has the courage to do this.

Published by: Roberta Foster
Albany, La. 03/08/2008 10:26 AM EST

I admire McCain's repudiating Hagee's anti-catholic ravings. I agree that we must much needed uniting our country regardless of christian beliefs. We must all be one, Jesus said love one another even your enemies. Thank you McCain I'll be there for you come November, I am a democrat and a pro-life advocater.

Published by: Andrew Francis Guidarelli
Richmond, Virginia 03/08/2008 08:30 AM EST

Sen. McCain is a war hero and a man of courage. However, for Sen. McCain to beat his Democratic opponent, he must be a strong Pro-Life candidate. Sen. McCain must endorse the absolute right-to-life of any child to be born, Sen. McCain must endorse the absolute fact that marriage can only be a union between a man and a woman, and he must endorse an absolute ban on experiments to be done on human embryos.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com