The wife isn't always the last to know

[CatWoman]

Wife says Haggard told her of struggles years ago

CHICAGO — Former evangelical pastor Ted Haggard's wife says she knew about his struggles with same-sex attraction for years and felt he was "winning the battle" before a scandal involving a male prostitute triggered his downfall in late 2006.

Gayle Haggard makes the remarks in an appearance with her husband on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to air Wednesday. She said she was shocked when Haggard first told her the truth about the allegations against him.

"The first words out of my mouth were, 'Who are you?'" she said, according to a publicity release issued Tuesday by Harpo Productions.

However, Gayle Haggard also said her husband told her early in their 30-year marriage that he "struggled with some thoughts."

"I felt it was the thing that could destroy Ted if he gave in to it," she said. "So I prayed for him and I felt as though he was winning the battle."

Haggard, 52, resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., after the male prostitute went public. Haggard confessed to "sexual immorality."

The scandal widened in recent days with disclosures that Haggard also admitted to an "inappropriate" relationship with a church volunteer, Grant Haas, who was 22 at the time.

Haas told KRDO in Colorado Springs that Haggard performed a sex act in front of him and sent him illicit text messages. He informed New Life Church shortly after the scandal broke, and the two parties reached a settlement in 2007 that included a confidentiality agreement. Haas went public as Haggard is heavily promoting an HBO documentary about his time in exile.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/National/REL_Haggards_Wife.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab&imw=Y

[liberalmuse]

1. God that's sad.

He's living a lie and then demonizing those who are living their lives honestly. I don't care what he does with any consenting adult, but he's not only being dishonest, he's been spreading hatred towards the gay population all while carrying on his secret trysts. THAT is what I take issue with.

[Myrina]

2. "I prayed for him and ... he was winning the battle" ???

These people are so fucking delusional. :spank:

[Warpy]

3. Oh, hell, the wife is always the first to know

although she might want to ignore it, not rock the boat, keep the family together and solvent.

Whether the lover on the side is gay or straight, it's like somebody hands cheating spouses a script. They all do exactly the same things, trying to make their partner think it's his/her fault.

I feel a bit sorry for Mrs. Haggard even though I think she's nuts. She knew. It hurt.

[sohndrsmith]

4. I knew about my dad long before my mother did... not sure why. n/t

[Tikki]

5. Jeezee Mezee...a person has only one life to live...and the drama some..

evangelicals put themselves and others through is just downright stunning.
It's like they never grow in maturity past being a preteen.


Tikki

[supernova]

6. This is so very sad

Neither one wants to be honest about their life.

[BR_Parkway]

7. So she knew but 1st words out of mouth were "Who are you?"

Yeah, that makes perfect sense to me.