It’s finally come out. Reuters recently reported that U.S. New Life Church Pastor Ted Haggard has admitted to paying a male escort for sex up to 36 times in the past 3 years. Haggard at first denied accusations but later admitted to seeking the man at a Denver Hotel for a “massage” and contacting him to buy methamphetamine. The man later said he had a sexual affair with the preacher.

Haggard said in the letter, which was read by a church overseer during a Sunday morning service:

“I am guilty of sexual immorality … I am a deceiver and a liar. There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life. From time to time, the dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to everything I believe and teach.”

Eew. Not only is this sick, but it’s also ironic because Haggard strongly opposes gay marriage and is a believer of “conservative causes.” Can you imagine going to church listening to someone like him preach, not knowing what he does right after he gets off the stage and heads straight to some sleazy hotel? I thought corruption existed in politics, but I guess in religious arenas as well. First Mark Foley, now this.