COLUMBIA, S.C. (CBS Charlotte) – The Rick Santorum campaign team in South Carolina attempted to reach across religious aisles by sending out a Hanukkah greeting this past holiday season.

The Bible quote chosen for inclusion on the card, however, came from the New Testament, a book significant to the Christian faith and not formally recognized by the Jewish tradition.

Specifically, the quote comes from the Gospel of John, passage 8:12.

“I am the light of the world,” the passage reads. “He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Santorum himself is a Roman Catholic, but the gaffe may have been innocuous, as he has been quoted as supporting a distinct separation between his religion and his public service.

“All of us have heard people say, ‘I privately am against abortion, homosexual marriage, stem cell research, cloning. But who am I to decide that it’s not right for somebody else?’” he told the National Catholic Reporter. “It sounds good, but it is the corruption of freedom of conscience.”

The issues discussed on his official campaign website, however, show that Santorum is sympathetic to perspectives shared by conservative Christians.

“When activist judges took it upon themselves to redefine marriage, and with it the underpinnings of the traditional American family and our First Amendment right to Freedom of Religion, Rick spearheaded the debate in favor of Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004,” his site states. “Even though he knew he would be labeled a bigot or worse by members of the liberal elite, Rick Santorum understood this issue was far too important to the future of our society not to be debated before the American public.”

Santorum has also been a vocal proponent of the pro-life movement, another issue of great importance to the Christian right.

Calls made to the Santorum campaign office inColumbiawere not immediately returned.