Very nice story to hear.

I remember as a college student enjoying Rev. Hagee's preaching very much, but that was long before I became Catholic, so it was some years ago. It makes me feel very good to see a true ecumenical connection taking place here.

May God bless this new friendship!

Deal and Hagee. Hagee has said for years the catholic church is wicked. You Deal have said, I'm sure, that Protestant evangelicals are heretics heading straight for hell. But now you sacrifice all principle and join hands for your real love--The Republican Party. Boy what class. Of course I knew you were a fanatical "convert" and Hagee , ignorant trash. I am a Catholic. You are just an old line Republican as you have clearly shown. Did Hagee break any of your chairs? Jack

Burn that strawman.

"You Deal have said, I'm sure, that Protestant evangelicals are heretics heading straight for hell."

I'm sure that Deal has never said any such thing. Did you even read the article? Donohue defended his criticism of Hagee and didn't back down on it. I, for one, am happy to see any reconciliation and hope for moving forward.

You're going to need a better insult than "Republican," and some better information than what "you're sure" Deal has said in the past.

Well. Andy, if the pathway to heaven is just as easy through "Pastor" Hagee, why did Deal "convert"? Your position strikes at the very heart of our Church. Shame on you!!! Jack

If anyone wants to have a discussion, rather than hurl insults and indulge in name-calling, I will be glad to participate. Hell must be spending an eternity among people who feel compelled to do such things.

Bravo, Mr. Haynes! Hagee - ignorant trash indeed!

It is truly sad to witness Catholics selling out their Church for the Republican Party. No one with even minimal critical thinking skills could believe that Hagee’s apology was anything but 100% politically motivated. What an insult this phony reconciliation is to the Church and to all Catholics! It’s distasteful to think about the League personnel sucking up to that hateful bigot.

Actually, Mr. Hudson, hell might be condoning Hagee’s name calling and insults to the Church in order to advance party politics.

Dear Fooled

I thought Catholics were supposed to avoid the kind of uncharitable judgment you just fired off. I'm pretty sure it's in the catechism, although I'm guessing you may not be all that familiar with it. I suppose it's possible that Hagee, Hudson, and Donohue are as reprehensible as you claim but there is nothing at all to indicate it. You sound a bit like Jonah, grumbling when Nineveh repented of her transgressions and escaped destruction. Reconciliation is a good thing: rejoice and be glad.

...your "outrage" is puzzling.

As for all the abuse being thrown about, I think its abit unwarranted. Criticism is fine, but come on. I for one don't find an "alliance" with Right wing Evangelicals to be desireable, at least in the sense they are talking about. We are co-belligerents in the Culture War, but let's not forget that they view us as misguided at best and not Christian at worst. And I will be quick to point out that Mr. Donahue does not speak for me, having quit the Catholic League years ago. His "media statements" and all this wobble headed "punditry" is irritating.

Deal- I would urge Mr. Donahue to consider the Catholic Hierarchical view of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. He should read the Vatican-PLO Accord of 2000, and he should consult with Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah- the highest ranking Catholic leader in the Holy Land. It is extremely dangerous for all peoples- be they Israeli, American, Palestinian, Middle Eastern, to ignore the role of Israeli occupation and aggression, and failures to heed UN resolutions and international laws with re: Palestinians. You want to know why the so-called Arab street is full of rage- read some of the Palestinian narratives given by Israeli and American Jewish scholars such as: Chomsky, Finkelstein, Sara Roy, Tanya Reinhart, read many more such perspectives at jewishvoiceforpeace.org- these are not self-loathing Jews, they are courageous truth-tellers who hardly benefit from their inconvenient research.

It is similar to those of us here in America who vehemently opposed both wars against Iraq, the killing sanctions, and the present occupation- it is not because we hate America, or hate the troops- maybe some critics do- but I will speak for myself and those I know personally- we oppose the wars, and the occupations because they are not truly self-defensive, they are unjust, they are putting innocent lives in mortal danger, they are putting young Americans in a position where they will kill others and face threats all around because they are representing imperial policies of politicians and think tank intellectuals who stay mostly in their comfortable environs far away from the bloodshed. It's not right, it's not fair, and the truth be told, I have been telling my Republican friends for quite some time now- they will lose power not because of their pro-life beliefs and actions, but rather because of the major blunder in pursuing war and neo-colonial foreign policies, which cause unbiased people to smell a rat in all the pro-life rhetoric put out by the same folks cheering on the violence of colonial wars fought for the control of territories, control of resources, control of whole peoples and all that comes with such. Bad stuff. And with the Big Dems lining up to be even more pro-legal abortion on demand- there is just no place for a faithful Catholic to turn, seemingly. Man, this whole political season is rot- there isn't a hero to be found- only chest-thumping armchair warriors and unborn child killing cheerleaders masquerading as lovers of women. Sheer rot- across the board if you ask me. We are not safer, the Israelis are not safer in ignoring the fact of life that Palestinians and Arabs and Persian lives are equal in dignity to our own- God loves their children same as ours. And allowing women to believe that killing their offspring is somehow a good or necessary action- instead of taking on the societal responsibility to ensure all children are protected and nurtured throughout their vulnerable existences- not only in the womb but well into the formative years- these beliefs and public policies do not promote women's dignity- they represent the ultimate nightmare of any parent who is conscious of the facts of life. All human life is created equal- our creation did not begin at birth- and neither should our human rights.

I find it amazing that an effort to encourage conversation and communication would draw such criticism and judgment as to motivation.

I for one applaud any effort to resolve differences and foster conversation, especially when we believe that everything works fro the good for those who love the Lord. As a Catholic who truly believes that honest discussion with non-Catholics can bear much fruit, I am hopeful that in time Pastor Hagee will come to embrace the fullness of the Gospel as revealed in the Catholic Church.

Until then we should always act in charity. After all, it is about the Truth.

Well done, Deal.

Tim, as you may know I have written many times on the need to end the occupation of the West Bank and pursue a two-state solution, post haste. I have also spoken to Bill Donohue about this several times. Regarding Rev. Hagee on this topic, his position is that the U.S. should not impose this solution on Israel, that it should be the result of negotiations between Israel and the PA. Israel does not represent any colonial aspirations in U.S. policy; the history of the state of Israel is complicated and intertwined with many nations and many motives, and remains so.

It seems that many on all sides of this situation in the current Body of Christ need to spend more time in the quiet presence of God; it is there and only there that you will learn what of your contentions matter not to God... only to you who seek to BE RIGHT!! Truth is so much bigger than any denominational divide... ONENESS is the center of the HEART of GOD. For a simple analogy, look to your marriages or life long friendships, there are many things that you do not agree upon and perhaps with GRACE you could enjoy a deeper union with your SPOUSE if you would do the same exercise. UNION springs forth a POWER to raise the quality of contribution... Division undermines the POSSIBILITIES held in the infiniteness of GOD. I do understand that we live in a generation that has witnessed EVIL unifying but our answer cannot be the maintenance of our DIVIDED BODY of Christ! THIS EVENT is an ACT of GOD; only GOD could make this possible... And I can only imagine the smile on HIS Face, to have found open souls willing to lay aside their BATTLES; and LIFELONG HELD perspectives, to be used to further HIS WILL--- A UNITED BRIDE of Christ, awaiting HIS RETURN. God will use all willing vessels, sparkling, broken, chipped, used and disgarded.... all who seek to do HIS WILL... LOVE, HIS WILL is LOVE.... It is by your LOVE for one another that ALL will know that You are MINE!!!

Deal, thank you for your work on this. This is a great story of Christian reconciliation, and I’m stunned that there are those trying to throw cold water on this.

I know Hagee’s past, and I’m not wild about it, but on what basis can anyone assume his apology is not legitimate? If even after apologizing and repenting, Hagee cannot be forgiven for his past assailment of the church, then who among us can be forgiven for our past transgressions?

As to the differences between Catholics and Protestants, it is my understanding that our duty is to be witnesses for our Catholic faith, and leave the conversion up to the Holy Spirit. But what witness do we offer other Christians if we reject the apology and repentance of one who is attempting to seek forgiveness from us for post offenses?

I know many more heated discussions will be coming over the next several months, but while we’re debating these issues, let’s not forget who we are, or at least who we are supposed to be seeking.

Great work, Deal! God Bless you!

Support for the state of Israel appears to be the common salve that heals all wounds. While the history of Israel may appear complex, there's nothing complicated about the sway this Middle Eastern provocateur has over American policy. We need prominent Catholics like Hudson and Donahue to have the courage to criticize U.S. policy vis-a-vis Israel. Rather than beating the zionist drums with an anti-Catholic bigot like Hagee, why don't they stand with the Vatican and call for an end to this loathsome debacle in the Middle East?

Yes Deal you are to be commended on your brave writings on the real situation in the Holy Land politically speaking. The situation of both major parties here in the U.S. playing so heavily and obviously to the extremist pro-Israel positions, is an 800 lb. gorilla in terms of international implications. As someone who spent some months with Palestinian Catholics I have a personal motive in speaking out forcefully. This is not about harboring anti-semitic, anti-Jewish prejudice- I also stayed for a time with an American married to a Russian Jewish transplant to Jerusalem. They were not happy with the way the Israeli establishment was constantly promoting the worldview that everyone hates Jews, they all want to destroy us, and so we must take control of everything and everyone around us- ruthless occupation is the only option for survival of the Jewish people of Israel.

My operating thesis for Israeli Jews and all Americans is that we who have power in the world- the U.S. is the obvious global superpower, Israel is regional superpower- despite the fact America has only 6% of the world's population and Israel has 5 plus million in the Middle East compared to 500 million Arabs- power is defined by military prowess, political and economic clout. So let's face facts here. Both the U.S. and Israel will be more secure and more prosperous when we all take winning hearts and minds as deadly serious, and our number #1 objective in foreign relations/national interests. Winning hearts and minds is not accomplished through harsh occupations, and certainly not by disproportionate military actions.

To conclude:

The best possible move on behalf of Israel's innocent civilians and all people living in the Middle East would be the obvious- something repeated a thousand times over but never attempted. Israel must give up the "Greater Israel" imperial mission. A return to the 1967 borders, with water and other essential resource sharing treaties and cooperative ventures made part of the deal with a viable Palestinian state drawn up in West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Negotiations for monetary settlements with those Palestinians who were displaced in 1948 and 1967 must be part of the good faith settlement. Israel will have earned the right to international protections if she takes these initiatives. The past has indicated that Israel has been intent on taking more and more land and more and more control over the resources and prime real estate in the West Bank and East Jerusalem- these "settlements" since 1967 are illegal by international law- land taken during war time cannot be permanently resettled.

American foreign policy must also move in a similar direction- where our help is offered in Marshall Plan style, but where a sizeable percentage of the people do not want us to be around, we need to respect that and stay out- unless a genocide is ongoing or a significant attack upon our own nation is truly imminent- not just the fantasy of some small-time despot.

Christ's teachings offer the Way, Catholic social doctrine offers the moral principles for global engagement, and Vatican diplomacy has proven itself to be objective and far superior to what American conservative and liberal establishments has put forth. How about a Catholic Renaissance of global solidarity- truth-telling- and actual policies to overcome evil with good works-capturing the majority of peoples' hearts with our ovbvious good will, and thus isolating the true small minority of violent extremists who hate even our children for no good cause whatsoever other than terrible theology, rotten nationalism, or sociopathic mental illness. This strategy is called "draining the swamp" through material and spiritual good works, not primarily through military operations- what Pope John Paul II called offering a courageous and lucid analysis of the root causes of terrorism.

Yo, Tough Stuff: Get your own blog!

Hey, deal. You are a real big man. You call everyone who doesn't agree with you a supporter of murder. Then whimp around for civility.

You sell out our church for a few extra Republican votes. Evangelicals, and I know plenty, think Catholics are spewed up from helll. And there's old Deal, making a pact with "Texas Fats". Harsh words , yes, but no worse than murder. Hagee thinks and says my religion is nothing but a pile of errors, and you kiss up to him for the Republican party. If he ran the country your fanny would be in a concentration camp. Again, you repudiate all Catholic doctrine and cuddle up to anti-catholicism at its worst. Of course, both you and "Texas fats" think, as Weigel does, that you are using the other. Class act!!!! Jack

Deal Hudson and Bill Donahue vilify anyone whose agenda runs counter to their own. Now that Hagee's agenda runs parallel to Hudson's and Donahue's and he's given a superficial apology--not to Catholics, but to Bill Donahe--everything is ok.

Please, don't buy into this partisan rouse. We know what Deal Hudson's real goal is: not to find the best candidate for Catholics, but to get a Republican elected.

The fact that a self-righteous Catholic has so quickly and un-critically opened his arms to Pastor Hagee is telling. It's ridiculous reading the narrative of how everyone was so happy to see Rev. Hagee. It's not like everything is forgotten. His theology is still deeply opposed to the church.

Please, don't anyone buy into this game. Forgiveness is one thing. Ignorance is another.

Folks,

This thread is getting a bit personal. Let's stick to the arguments and leave the name calling and bravado aside. I know that tempers can flare when the subject is politics (I do it myself), but if we're going to have a productive discussion, we need to stick to the points and try our best to leave emotion out of it.

So again, feel free to disagree, critique, question, object, etc. Just please do so charitably.

See my post here:
http://tinyurl.com/5muvoo

I found todays post in the Washington Post blog On Faith to be very telling and accurate. By Anthony Stevens-Arryo

The Catholic League is not the “All Catholic" League. It is not official Catholicism: still less does it speak for each and every one of the nation’s 60 million Catholics. As someone who once endeavored to work with the League, I was disappointed to learn that it is run out of a single office by a single ego. So, while I find newsworthy the recent exchanges between the League’s president, Bill Donahue and Evangelical pastor, John Hagee, they don’t amount to dogma.

Read more @ http://tinyurl.com/599wqn

Dear John M Haynes, aka "Jack,"

I'm tired of the shanking. As they say on the commercials, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to block you."
"Now... who wants some lemonade?"

The 1967 war was not the first Arab attack. The problem as far as Israel's neighbors are concerned isn't the post 1967 map, it's the post 1947 map. Are we supposed to undo every post WWII change in national boundaries that any party finds unfair and return them all to their previous state, or is it just Israel's?

Forgiveness is important, and should be something we all do, HOWEVER....this is an election year, and such "apologies" and alliances are a dime a dozen. Its unfortunate that such thoughts enter our minds, but American politics is rife with this sort of jackassery and hypocrisy. The old maxim in diplomacy holds true here....Trust but verify.

This is wonderful news. As a convert to Catholicism from the Baptists, I think that anything that brings Baptists (many, even most of whom I think have a true desire to embrace authentic and primitive Christianity... they just haven't read or heard of the Apostolic Fathers and other Patristics) closer to the Catholic Church is a good thing for both.

On Israel: God gave Israel to the Jews in perpetuity. That is the faith of the Scriptures and thus of Catholics (and Cardinal Shonborn has said as much). We are Zionists. And who is the guiding light of Baathism and Arab nationalism? That would be the Mohammad Amin al-Husayni, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (as well as consorter with Hitler and Himmler, organizer of a despicable SS anit-partisan division, and active plotter to carry Hitler's "final solution" to the Holy Land).

Just take a look at the leader of the so-called 'moderate'Palestinian faction: Mahmoud Abbas. The man wrote his Ph.D. thesis on "The Secret Connection between the Nazis and the Leaders of the Zionist Movement". There's a "moderate Palestinian" for you. I'd hate to see a radical.

It's too bad... the American Left used to stick up for the Jews. Now, to be a Leftist in America appears to mean "automatically sticks up for genocidal maniacs and raving anti-Semites... except Hitler".

I applaud the work that Hagee and others do for Israel. I only regret that Roman Catholics are not at the forefront of philo-Semitic activities throughout the world. If we are the authentic Christians then our philo-Semitism out to put others to shame.

...are NOT one and the same. The Church is the new Israel. All people, including the Jews will be saved through Christ. I oppose the Israel "Right or Wrong" lobby, and don't believe Israel should get a blank check just because they are the "only democracy in the Middle East." I condemn Terrorism, but Israel is not blameless either (I know their apologists will be quick to justify their excesses in the name of "fighting terror.") They are still building settlements....what sort of nonsense is that? Building settlements on Arab land, and then using the IDF to keep themselves embedded in what has become a hornets nest....ridiculous.

I can tell you that most NCC devout christians I know are pissed about this. Not that they agree with Hagee's opinion on Catholics (they believe there may be some christians there) but feel that they have been slammed in order to find some kind of 'unity' for the social conservative vote. I'm not sure that was successful. There's a long way to go to the election though. Most NCCs I talk to are motivated by the judge issue but feel VERY betrayed by Hagee. Not b/c they agree with his original opinion but b/c that he thinks the Catholic Church is not the Church founded by Our Lord should not be an issue. I know what he said is much more radical than that but they see it as a pastor who is giving in for political reasons.

On a political level, I'm not sure this will be helpful.

Hagee is very likely insane and, given his degree of influence, very dangerous. Besides his vicious attacks on the Church and the Pope, he is the most vocal advocate for ushering in the second coming of Christ. In his view, Israel and the United States need to join together to destroy Iran and thereby bring about Armageddon and destroy the Anti-Christ. This is supposed to deliver a period of peace where Christ will rule the world and do away with all the unbelievers (Moselms, Papists?, anybody that disagrees with the "prophet" Hagee....?. Somebody please tell me this isn't pure lunacy. As Catholics we know we have no control over God's eternal will. The end times are a mystery to us and our responsibility is to be prepared for whatever God has in store for us by tending to the state of our souls and praying for the conversion of unbelievers; not presuming to know God's plan for the world.

Hagee has the ear of the GOP and the Bush administration. Are you kidding me? Are the inmates are running the asylum? The fact that Hudson and Donohue are bosom buddies with this kook is bizarre and disturbing. Give me a break! What do you think he'll ever really do for you?

I watched Pastor Hagee on TV before I converted to Catholicism and continued to watch him periodically after I converted. Gradually, as I became better grounded in the Faith, and as Mr. Hagee drifted further in his own version of things, I stopped watching. Anyone who has watched his programs knows full well that his preaching is, at times, virulently anti-Catholic. There is little incentive for Mr. Hagee to change his stripes; he has a lot of power and influence. Possibly, an indomitable personality like that of Mr. Donahue backed up with strong arguments and prudent interaction can help Pastor Hagee make a genuine course correction.

Remember Jesus said that He did not come to unify but to divide...... So why does it surprise us when the HOLY SPIRIT, going about the Restoration of the Body of Christ, causes a lot of upheaval on all sides.... ie, division.... The division HIS RESTORATION will cause will be between those who seek HIM and those who seek to cling to everything other than him...... There were a lot in the time JESUS walked the EARTH that thought they were on the right side of things and found themselves killing early Christians......... fortunately for SAUL for example, He was convertible........ We are all in need of conversion... REMEMBER JESUS alone holds the PERFECT VISION, THE HOLY SPIRIT, perfect WISDOM we must daily and some days many times throughout the day seek to be led by HIM not ourselves or the ulterior motive to BE RIGHT! It would seem a lot more politically correct for both Deal and Bill to completely avoid a dialogue with Hagee. My soul leapt for JOY at the incredulous FACT that this dialogue even began... In my heart, only GOD would have provided for this possibility on the inside, over time in their souls. Why? Because so many souls who love and seek HIM worship HIM in these Churches. GOD is THE SHEPHERD and HE WORKS on each of us, who give HIM the time to do so...... I love reading this blog and I pray that GOD will have His way with us, polishing us into brilliant Jeweled Vessels so that we carry HIM to the World we touch! Love in Jesus And yes I can hear some of you saying "La, la, la, la, la, what sweet planet is that girl on... EARTH but I wear CORRECTED VISION Glasses :)

I suppose that many of the folks who attend Hagee's church sincerely seek God. I've been to his church in San Antonio and have met the members, who appear to be decent people. However, this doesn't exonerate their leader, who is leading these people astray with his false religion. More importantly, he has crafted a political agenda out of his dubious "religion"; a dispensationalist agenda grounded in a sort of gnostic vision which foresees the time and place of Christ's second coming. It is likely that this theology has had a significant impact upon American foreign policy in the Middle East. Our sacramental Faith does not subscribe to this orientation. If Deal and Bill are unwilling to criticize Hagee's dispensationalist perspective perhaps their vision needs to be corrected.