Freedom Dogs

Pastor John Hagee, the fire and brimstone televangelist preacher, has apologized for his past anti-Catholic remarks and the president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights has accepted this apology;

John Hagee, an influential Texas televangelist who endorsed John McCain, apologized to Catholics Tuesday for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having "emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews."

Hagee's support for McCain has drawn cries of outrage from some Catholic leaders who have called on McCain to reject Hagee's endorsement. The likely Republican nominee has said he does not agree with some of Hagee's past comments, but did not reject his support.

In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee wrote: "Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful."

Donohue, one of Hagee's sharpest critics, said he accepted the apology and planned to meet with Hagee Thursday in New York.

"I got what I wanted," Donohue said in an interview. "He's seen the light, as they like to say. So for me it's over."

The controversy had threatened to pursue McCain throughout the campaign, potentially hurting his standing with Catholic voters. A majority of Roman Catholics voted for President Bush in the past two presidential elections, critical votes in close elections.

McCain is going to be in some trouble in this election due to many factors. The msm is in the tank for his apparent opponent, Barack Obama. The nation is polling in favor of a change from the Republican Party in the White House. Ron Paul is planning on hijacking the GOP convention. McCain is not trusted by conservatives in his own party. John McCain will be 72 on Election Day.

I suppose there are other negatives for McCain. So getting the Catholic vote on board with McCain is good news for him.

This subject brings up a bit of a painful subject for myself. I have now come to believe that my previous support for Rudy Giuliani was a mistake because he campaigned as a Pro-Choice candidate. I'm relatively new to the Catholic Church (I reverted just 3 years ago) and I had been under the belief that I could triangulate the abortion issue, be pro-Giuliani and be pro-choice and be a good Catholic in communion with the Church all at the same time.

I was wrong. It was my misunderstanding that a good Catholic could support such a candidate so long as he/she does not personally engage in funding or aiding the act of a specific abortion or abortions.

This is a bit of an uncomfortable realm for me, in the mixing of politics and religion, as I now wonder if I may one day come to learn that in order to be in communion with my Church and with Christ, perhaps I must also be in favor of immigration amnesty and pacifism and the Nanny State. I very much doubt that scenario will arise, but then, I did not understand the specific requirements in regards to abortion and the Church while I was on board with Giuliani either.

So, Rudy...listen up, pal. I admire you, but if you're going to run for president again, you can forget about my vote unless you change to Pro-Life.