WASHINGTON (AP) – John Hagee, an influential Texas televangelist who endorsed John McCain, apologized to Catholics Tuesday for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having “emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews.”

Hagee’s support for McCain has drawn cries of outrage from some Catholic leaders who have called on McCain to reject Hagee’s endorsement.

Hagee has often made references to “the apostate church” and the “great whore,” terms that Catholics say are slurs aimed at the Roman Catholic Church.

In a letter to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, Hagee said he now better understood that his use of those descriptions, taken from the Book of Revelations, are “a rhetorical device long employed in anti-Catholic literature and commentary.”

The likely Republican nominee has said he does not agree with some of Hagee’s past comments, but did not reject his support.

In his letter, Hagee wrote: “Out of a desire to advance a greater unity among Catholics and evangelicals in promoting the common good, I want to express my deep regret for any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”

Donohue, one of Hagee’s sharpest critics, said he accepted the apology and planned to meet with Hagee Thursday in New York.