Governor George W. Bush has apologised to Cardinal John O'Connor of New York for any offence he may have caused to Catholics by launching his South Carolina primary campaign on the campus of the Protestant fundamentalist Bob Jones University.
The Rev Ian Paisley holds a doctorate from this university, which is well known for its anti-Catholic teaching and its prohibition of inter-racial dating. In his apology, in a letter dated February 25th, Mr Bush says he "deeply regrets" that he was not "more clear in disassociating myself from anti-Catholic sentiments and racial prejudice. It was a missed opportunity, causing needless offence."
However, he strongly defends his record on tolerance and respect for the religious views of others. "As a Christian, I see Catholics as my brothers and sisters in Christ - sharing the same ancient code and core beliefs." He insists that those who are arguing that his visit to the university is a sign that he approves of "the anti-Catholic and racially divisive views associated with that school" are "mistaken".
Cardinal O'Connor's spokesman said last night that the cardinal had no comment on the letter.
Mr Bush is clearly deeply concerned that his increasingly threatening rival in the primaries, Senator John McCain, has put this issue on the agenda. He fears that it will damage him in the Republican primary in New York, which takes place with other major polls, on March 7th. Almost half the registered Republicans in New York are estimated to be Catholic. Mr McCain's campaign has put him on the defensive on the issue of religious tolerance. The Bob Jones University certainly propounds controversial values. At the time of Pope John Paul 11's visit to South Carolina in 1987, Bob Jones II, and his son, the present president of the university, criticised the visit on the grounds that Catholic doctrines were "false" and that the visit would encourage "the worship of this man whom the Bible describes as an Anti-Christ".
Regarding romance across racial lines, Bob Jones III says: "We basically accept that there are three races - Caucasians, Negroes and Orientals. Caucasians can't date Orientals. Orientals can't date Caucasians, and neither of them can date Negroes."
Gerry Moriarty adds from Belfast: The DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley, who gained his doctorate from the Bob Jones University, did not wish to comment on the issue, according to his son, Mr Ian Paisly jnr. Mr Paisley jnr described criticism of Mr Bush's visiting the university as "unfair and unfounded". If Mr McCain were using this visit to depict Mr Bush as anti-Catholic he was betraying narrow-mindedness. "If John McCain has a convincing message to relay he should be prepared to bring it to everyone, and that includes Protestant fundamentalists. Fundamentalists should be allowed avail of his wisdom, whether perceived or otherwise," said Mr Paisley junior.
Asked about the allegation that the university taught anti-Catholic attitudes, Mr Paisley replied, "I'm a fundamentalist, and I'm not anti-Catholic."