Statement from Pastor John Hagee

SAN ANTONIO, March 13 /PRNewswire/ --

After days of media misrepresentation, I feel the need to respond to slanderous media reports. The truth is I am not now nor have I ever been anti-Catholic. That has been demonstrated in a lifetime of ministry that has assisted Catholics and the Catholic Church. I have given thousands of dollars to the Catholic Church for disaster relief and have personally supported a local convent for many years. Cornerstone Church has operated a social services center that gives food and clothing daily to people who in the majority are Catholic. My wife comes from a Catholic family and millions of my viewers are Catholics.

Many in the media have mistakenly accepted characterizations of my statements, which simply are not true. I never called the Catholic Church the "anti-Christ," a "false cult system," "the apostate church" or the "great whore" of Revelations. To assert otherwise seriously misrepresents my words. When I use these terms, I am referring to those Christians who ignore the Gospels and embrace the false doctrines of Jew-hatred and anti-Semitism.

Throughout my career I have been a strong critic of Christian anti-Semitism. I have consistently criticized all Christians -- Protestant and Catholic alike -- for the sin of anti-Semitism. In fact I rarely address this topic without castigating the founder of Protestantism, Martin Luther, for the horrendous anti-Semitism he spouted towards the end of his career. It is a bitter irony that in my zeal to hold my fellow Christians accountable for our past anti-Semitism, I now find my self compared to an anti-Semite.

When I condemn anti-Semitic Christians -- Protestant and Catholics alike -- I am in no way referring to those Protestants and Catholics who have rejected this sinful belief. On the contrary, I have repeatedly praised the "righteous works" of Catholics such as Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict in rejecting anti-Semitism and taking historic steps to reconcile with the Jewish people. I have always had great love for Catholic people and great respect for the Catholic Church and hope this statement sets the record straight.

    Juda Engelmayer
    212-584-4287
    jengelmayer@5wpr.com