Pastor Admits to Allegations
After previous denials, Haggard admits, "I have a problem"
Colorado Springs, CO - After initial denials, Reverend Ted Haggard has admitted to at least some of the allegations brought against him yesterday by a Denver-area male prostitute.
Denver resident Mike Jones claimed that Haggard paid him for sex about once a month for three years as well as for methamphetamines.
Haggard has temporarily stepped down as Senior Pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church and head of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals. Haggard communicated with associate pastor Neil Garnish, who relayed a statement.
"Pastor Haggard told me he had made mistakes. He said he has a substance abuse problem, and he will begin seeking treatment immediately," said Garnish.
"Much of the last three years, he said, he was so high and/or drunk, that when he had encounters with male prostitutes, he actually believed he was sanctifying the bonds of his marriage by engaging in wholesome heterosexual intercourse," said Garnish.
"Reverend Haggard also disclosed to me that as a young boy, he suffered abuse at the hands of his congressman. He believes his recent behaviors are a direct result of carrying this silent shame for so many years."
Haggard is staying out of the public eye, but he is believed to have checked into a rehab facility, possibly in Florida.
Meanwhile in Colorado Springs, observers both inside and outside the New Life Church expressed surprise.
"Absolutely, I was shocked," said Innes Fogarty, 43, who is a a member of the New Life Church. "Reverend Ted was always saying how homosexuality was wrong and immoral. Who would have ever guessed that the whole time, he already had it, that he was a carrier?"
"I was surprised, actually," said carpenter Wayne Harris, who does not attend church regularly.
"What I don't get is why the guy would need meth to 'heighten his sexual experiences.' I would have thought that engaging in such profoundly hypocritical behavior would be stimulating enough," said Harris.
Denver resident Mike Jones claimed that Haggard paid him for sex about once a month for three years as well as for methamphetamines.
Haggard has temporarily stepped down as Senior Pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church and head of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals. Haggard communicated with associate pastor Neil Garnish, who relayed a statement.
"Pastor Haggard told me he had made mistakes. He said he has a substance abuse problem, and he will begin seeking treatment immediately," said Garnish.
"Much of the last three years, he said, he was so high and/or drunk, that when he had encounters with male prostitutes, he actually believed he was sanctifying the bonds of his marriage by engaging in wholesome heterosexual intercourse," said Garnish.
"Reverend Haggard also disclosed to me that as a young boy, he suffered abuse at the hands of his congressman. He believes his recent behaviors are a direct result of carrying this silent shame for so many years."
Haggard is staying out of the public eye, but he is believed to have checked into a rehab facility, possibly in Florida.
Meanwhile in Colorado Springs, observers both inside and outside the New Life Church expressed surprise.
"Absolutely, I was shocked," said Innes Fogarty, 43, who is a a member of the New Life Church. "Reverend Ted was always saying how homosexuality was wrong and immoral. Who would have ever guessed that the whole time, he already had it, that he was a carrier?"
"I was surprised, actually," said carpenter Wayne Harris, who does not attend church regularly.
"What I don't get is why the guy would need meth to 'heighten his sexual experiences.' I would have thought that engaging in such profoundly hypocritical behavior would be stimulating enough," said Harris.
posted by Ish at 9:51 AM
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