By Rev Andrew Greeley, SJ

printed in the New York Daily News, Tuesday, May 4th, 2004

There is currently a discussion among some Catholic bishops about refusing
the sacraments to Democratic Sen. John Kerry for not opposing abortion,
thus doing the Republican National Committee's work for it.

But the Pope and the national hierarchy also have condemned the death
penalty and the war in Iraq. Are these bishops willing to deny the
Eucharist to Catholic politicians who support the death penalty or the Iraq
war? And if not, why not?

Moreover, will they tell Catholics that it is a sin to support an unjust
war and to vote for a candidate who is responsible for such a war? And,
again, if not, why not?

I can think of a couple of reasons. First, denouncing abortion will get you
attention in the Vatican. Attacking the death penalty and the war are not
likely to promote your career. Second, the rules are different for
Democrats and Republicans. It is curious, to say the least, that 30 years
after Roe vs. Wade, the issue of denying the sacraments would be raised
during this election year.

Bishops also threaten political leaders who support civil unions between
homosexuals. Given their tolerance for sexual abusers in the priesthood,
that looks a bit hypocritical. I have never heard any of them criticize gay
bashing. Followers of Jesus cannot tolerate hatred of anyone, especially
since the church now teaches that the homosexual condition is not freely
chosen.

Finally, some bishops have doubts about permitting women to participate in
the washing of feet during the Holy Thursday services. These men will
tolerate women distributing Communion only when it is absolutely necessary.
They are uneasy about females serving Mass. Such sentiments doubtless also
will promote their careers. Yet, unless I've missed it, they haven't spoken
out against rape. It is estimated that 12% to 13% of all women are victims
of rape in this country. Why is the Catholic Church so silent on the
subject? Why do Catholic leaders seem unaware of just how routine the abuse
of women is, not merely at the service academies and in the military and on
college campuses, but everywhere in our society? Why are they so obsessed
with keeping women out of the sanctuary and so uninterested in the constant
danger of their violation?

I realize that church leaders from Peter and his colleagues on down have
not been all that brilliant or all that courageous. I understand that with
some exceptions the current crowd is not much better. At least Peter and
his bunch had the decency to apologize. Those in the current crowd don't
apologize that much and, when they do, their words lose credibility because
of their actions (such as the current campaign led by Edward Cardinal Egan
to undercut the American bishops' National Review Board for the Protection
of Children & Young People, a campaign that can only convince Catholic
parents that their children are not safe on church premises).

I subscribe to the consistent ethic of life that the late Joseph Cardinal
Bernardin enunciated some years ago. I believe abortion is wrong. I believe
the death penalty is wrong. I believe preemptive war is wrong. I will take
seriously the "pro-life" enthusiasts when they are ready to protest against
and denounce the death penalty. I will take them seriously when they also
denounce criminally unjust wars.

By Rev Andrew Greeley, SJ

printed in the New York Daily News, Tuesday, May 4th, 2004

There is currently a discussion among some Catholic bishops about refusing
the sacraments to Democratic Sen. John Kerry for not opposing abortion,
thus doing the Republican National Committee's work for it.