More evidence of the extensive involvement of the Catholic Church in American politics surfaced recently. Pastor John Hagee of Cornerstone Church, in San Antonio, Texas, was pressured to state publicly that the prostitute church of Revelation 17 and 18 is not the Roman Catholic church.

Hagee has written in his book, Jerusalem Countdown, that the Vatican sold out to Hitler and never protested the Holocaust.

Because of Hagee`s large Christian following, he recently declared his support for Republican candidate John McCain. Catholic political activists immediately began demanding that McCain refuse the endorsement unless Hagee apologized for his "bigotry" and "intolerance."

Hagee agreed to meet with a group of Catholic leaders and afterwards issued a letter of apology to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League of Civil and Religious Rights.

In it he stated that, "After engaging in constructive dialogue with Catholic friends and leaders, I now have an improved understanding of the Catholic Church, its relation to the Jewish Faith and the history of anti-Catholicism."

He goes on to deny that the Roman Catholic institution is identified in Revelation 17 and 18 and state that he believes that Catholic "true believers" will go up in the rapture. He continues with high praise for popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI and Catholic and Evangelical cooperation in promoting "...primacy of faith and values in our increasingly secular society."

Hagee`s "improved understanding" of the "history of anti-Catholicism" is pure Catholic revisionism of history. Rome has been working hard to cover its tracks both during the inquisition and in the 20th century.

Jack Chick, in his book, Smokescreens, documents both the horrors of the inquisition and the Vatican`s intrigues during and after World War II. Tens of millions in Europe were massacred or executed in Rome`s attempt to stop the Reformation.

One of the more famous was the St. Bartholomew massacre in France. In one night, all the houses of the Protestants in the city were forced open and over ten thousand were slaughtered in just three days. In Ireland, another surprise attack was made on the Protestants after a time of peace and false security.

Also documented in Smokescreens and Secret History of the Jesuits, by Edmond Paris, is the Vatican`s scheming behind Hitler in World War II. Detailed pictures show Nazi and Roman Catholic officials together with nuns and priests. Other pictures show brutal killings of those opposed to the Catholic-backed armies. But as soon as it appeared that Hitler would lose, the pope quickly switched his allegiance and came out "smelling like a rose."

America was founded by men fleeing the pope`s wrath, but this part of our history has been buried or rewritten. Today`s leaders are so poorly informed that they have no defense against Rome`s sugar-coated lies.

While our government is focused on the Muslim threat to our way of life, another, more subtle evil is circling, also bent on destroying the freedom that Bible believers enjoy. Jack Chick says in Smokescreens: "Rome, when in minority is as gentle as a lamb, when in equality is as clever as a fox, and when in the majority is as fierce as a tiger."

Jesuit trained leaders and advisors are rapidly becoming a majority in our halls of government. John Hagee just experienced the fierceness of their wrath. Too bad he chose to buckle.