Two presidential candidates, two ministers, and controversy. It’s been said that if you wish to avoid an argument, do not discuss religion or politics. Seems these days everyone is discussing both. The Wright/Obama controversy has been well covered by the media with clips of Wright’s sermons but I have yet to see any clips of Hagee’s presumed anti Catholic comments. Yet observing how both of these ministers have responded to the controversy around their relationship or endorsement of different candidates, has spoken volumes about the character of these two men. After hearing that Pastor Hagee had apologized for any comments he made that would have been found offensive by the Catholic Church, I visited his website where I found a very gracious response to the allegations. I found nothing that came close to hatred or bitterness towards anyone, including those who have accused him of hateful speech.

What I discovered was an honest look at the history of the Christian Church and how some negative references have been used in the past against the Catholic Church. Hagee mentions Martin Luther as one outspoken anti Catholic, but there are others. To be honest, the Protestant reformation happened for a reason, to break free from an oppressive form of religion that existed in those days, but this is today. I’m not sure the Protestant Churches in Europe were much better at that time. The Church today, Protestant and Catholic, are not the same today as they were 400 years ago. Not only what Hagee said, but how he says it, shows a stark difference between his theology and the theology of Rev. Wright. It’s one of love and compassion versus one of anger and bitterness.