"I believe preemptive war is wrong"

Father Andrew Greeley doesn't like the current talk in America about politicians being denied the sacraments if they are pro-abortion. I have to admit, I'm uneasy with the idea of singling out politicians like this, although I do think the Bishops have a duty to state and restate what the Church's position is on this issue.

However, Fr. Greeley is so worked up about it, that he says some dumb things in his article in today's NY Daily News. The dumbest is the title to this post.

How can he believe that "preemptive war is wrong"? Some preemptive wars - fine. But all preemptive wars? If France & England had waged war on Germany and eliminated the NAZIs in 6 weeks in 1938, which they could have done, would he consider that to have been wrong?

Fr. Greeley also casually insults the Bishops when he writes "I have never heard any of them (Bishops, it's not clear which Bishops he means) criticize gay bashing." Surely, he's read his Cathechism, which states "Every sign of unjust discrimination in (homosexual persons’) regard should be avoided" or Human Sexuality, written by the Bishops, which says, "(Homosexual persons) should not suffer prejudice against their basic human rights". Or, what about

(Homosexual persons), like everyone else, should not suffer from prejudice against their basic human rights. They have a right to respect, friendship and justice. They should have an active role in the Christian community

from To Live in Christ Jesus.

Don't these statements indicate that the Bishops don't just criticize "gay bashing", but are actually advocates for acceptance and the rights of homosexuals? {See here for more.}

The whole thrust of his article is so weak that he shouldn't have bothered. His flippant comment on gay bashing shows he made little effort with this column, presuming he wasn't just being dishonest. The Daily News (and others) should seek a refund.