Pastor John Hagee Denies He is Anti-Catholic

SAN ANTONIO, TX (CNA) - An influential Texas pastor who endorsed Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain has denied allegations he is anti-Catholic.

Rev. John Hagee, pastor of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, has been accused of anti-Catholicism by Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.

Donohue argued that Hagee �clearly distorts� Catholic teaching and misrepresents Church history, especially concerning the actions of Pope Pius XII during the Second World War.

Hagee said his statements about the Catholic Church had been �grossly mischaracterized.� His words about the anti-Christ and a �false cult system,� he said, were references to �those Christians who ignore the Gospels.�

In his recent book, Hagee wrote that �most readers will be shocked by the clear record of history linking Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church in a conspiracy to exterminate the Jews.�

When asked about this statement during an interview with the New York Times magazine, Hagee said he was trying to express �the fact that Christian anti-Semitism � both Catholic and Protestant � contributed to an environment in which Nazi racial anti-Semitism could flourish.�

Hagee released an extended self-defense in a March 13 statement that said the accusations of religious bigotry made against him were �slanderous.�

�I am not now, nor have I ever been anti-Catholic,� he said in the press release. He cited Cornerstone Church�s social service center that feeds the hungry and clothes the needy, most of whom Hagee said were Catholic.

�I personally supported a convent for over ten years providing complimentary housing for elderly, retired nuns,� Hagee said. �Many of you remember the day of honor that we had for those nuns in this church for their lifetime of service to God. These are not the acts of someone who is anti-Catholic.�

Hagee said he had dedicated most of his adult life to �eradicating anti-Semitism from Christianity,� stating that his statements critical of Catholicism were directed to that end.

�As part of this effort, I have criticized the past anti-Semitism of the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church,� he said.

MISSOURI STRONGHOLD
SHARON L. COOPER-LYONS
MACON, MO 63552

Addressing Sarah Palin�s remarks at her rally today. Let�s keep in mind that she is suppose to be a journalist. A person that is suppose to have a command of words and their meanings. She was very specific in her description of the area of this country she was addressing. No mistake, rural America. Like her town. Where the people are pro American patriots. The real Americans. She just put down the city. I�m sure she is talking about that bad element in the city. Chicago. The city that John McCain put down. The city of bad politics. I guess he couldn�t remember being in Washington D.C. for 26 years. But, to the people who live in the cities, educate Sarah Palin, that they are pro America too. Maybe if she knew something about America, she wouldn�t make these insults. But then, a huge number of diverse cultures live in the city and they are not like her. She can�t identify. She must think there is something so supreme about her that we all are stupid. McCain should respect the people of this country better than that. There are very giving famous people from Chicago.

I watched Fox for about 10 minutes and then I was through. But I have something to say to Michael Steele. I was one of those people who received one of the robo calls. I hung up before it went too far. I started my program because of things like this. This society has terribly hurt our children. I know. Missourians know what it does to children. We have all the proof we need. If a child had picked up the phone, I have young grandchildren, it would have scared them to death. These are terror phone calls. They were made on behalf of McCain. I wouldn�t vote for a man that would allow this. There have been people convicted on these type of things. Let me get to Mr. Steele. He has the right to vote for whom he believes. But, it�s the unethical, immoral acts against your own race that you are condoning. We out here, aren�t stupid. We have higher educated people too. Yes, we can go to college now. We can explain what is going on in this campaign. We are people of mixed families too. This is hurting our children. Mr. Steele needs to be reminded of his ancestry that fought and gave their lives so he could be where he is. They didn�t do this so people like him wouldn�t stand up to the mistreatment of his own race. Blame the Black man with out the proof. Let him go down because of associations and made up accusations. The white man can do everything, don�t blame him. These things don�t hold true to the real American people. There are these accusations against Rev. Wright. But, what are they? What is it about Wright and lay down the proof. He hasn�t committed a crime. Should he and his church members receive the threats? Should private citizens be at the use of anyone? He is a decorated Marine and reenlisted in the Navy. I believe his granddaughter is in Iraq. Mr Steele should be ashamed of himself for going along with this. Look at Obama. His grandfather and uncle served in the war. But only certain people deserve respect. People like Sarah Palin. These crimes were over 30 years ago. The FBI messed up the case, so let�s blame it on Obama. Do you see a pattern here Mr. Steele? Mr. Steele, do you understand, they tried to make Martin Luther King out of a communist, a traitor, a terrorist because of his associations during the 60�s.? It was a good thing you didn�t live back then. We may still be in bondage.

Now let�s reason out why this Joe the plumber story isn�t the fault of Obama. John McCain and Palin have been running on the Joe�s. Everything is about Joe. Where is the perfect place to get this Joe the Plumber started? On national tv, during the debates where there are millions of viewers. This was a game plan, Mr. Steele. They knew the reporters would track him down. The comments made by Senator Obama and Biden were at McCain. These very people that McCain is drawing are looking at the stupid black man. My 84 year old mother watched those recent rallies of McCain. She picked up on lit quick. She knew they were staged because no one is that versed and dramatic that aren�t used to being in front of people. The one where the young black man said �please , please don�t let Obama win this. I knew I saw that man before. I thought he was an actor, but he has a radio show. See Mr. Steele, why would you go along with people that would do your race this way? Do you think we are stupid? We all have to face our maker. But, some of us will face God with a lot more dignity and truth. I know my ancestry will accept what I has tried to do to make this country better. All races of people pay taxes, and die for this country. I do not respect anyone that would not treat this equal. But we do reap what we sow. I wonder if Rev. Wright ever taught equality and love. Do you know him to say whether he has or hasn�t? God warns us about who we judge. Only God knows the everyday life of us all. Not just a clip.
IF Mr. Steele googled Sarah Palin and rep. Steve King, would he have a problem with what he saw? OH! That only counts if you are Black. Everyone else doesn�t have to account for their racial or terrorist activity. .NO ONE EVEN KNOWS WHAT SHE THINKS ABOUT JEWISH PEOPLE. THEY NEED JESUS ACCORDING TO HER.

MISSOURI STRONGHOLD WILL SET THE EXAMPLE- WE WILL FIND A WAY TO PUT A STOP TO THE BOOGYMAN CALLS.

SHARON L. COOPER-LYONS | 10/19/2008

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