Ecumenical leaders have condemned remarks from televangelist Pat Robertson who blamed the recent disaster in Haiti on a former "pact" the country had made "with the devil."

Speaking on his syndicated show the 700 Club, Robertson said that the agreement had been made by 19th century Haiti natives who wanted to free the country from French rule.

"They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story," Robertson said. "And so, the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.'"

"Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other," he added.

"Pat Robertson has once again labeled a tragic situation as an act of God blaming the tragedy on the victims of the tragedy – in this case the Haitian people," said Interfaith Alliance President the Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy. "Enough, please! At a time when the rest of the world is coming together to aid recovery and to provide relief, Robertson's comments are inexcusable."

"We don't need anybody claiming to be able to hear the devil and speak as God."

César J. Baldelomar, executive director of the Pax Romana Center for International Study of Catholic Social Teaching, called Robertson's comments "absurd and impolitic" and called it "shame" that "many will mistake Robertson's stance as the official Christian response."

Presenting an alternative "Christian" response as a model, Baldelomar referred to a statement released on Wednesday from Catholic Archbishop of Miami John Favalora, which called on the Obama administration to "immediately grant Temporary Protective Status to all Haitians in our community."

"Our Haitian brothers and sisters do not deserve at this moment of despair and agony a wealthy white televangelist admonishing them through fables that distract from the grim reality in Haiti and the aid efforts of others," Baldelomar said.

"Archbishop Favalora's response, on the other hand, reveals the essence of Christianity, namely Jesus' message of love, compassion, and justice for all, especially the marginalized and oppressed."

"May we all find some way to help our brothers and sisters who presently struggle for hope amid ruin and immense suffering."

 Sojourners President Jim Wallis also gave commentary on his online blog, saying, "I don't even know what [Robertson] means, nor do I care. But, I want to say this. My God does not cause evil. God is not a vengeful and retributive being, waiting to strike us down – instead, God is in the very midst of this tragedy, suffering with those who are suffering. "

"When evil strikes, it's easy to ask, where is God? The answer is simple: God is suffering with those who are suffering."