Swift Boat Veterans

Kerry Catholics are alleging that the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth organization's campaign to tell the full truth about Senator Kerry's four months of service in Vietnam, is an anti-Catholic effort. Why?

 

The thinking seems to revolve around Jerome R. Corsi, the co-author of the book, 'Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry' which he wrote with Swift Boat Veterans for Truth founder John E. O'Neill. Corsi wrote some very unkind posts in an internet forum about the Holy Father and priests involved in the abuse scandal and thus is being labeled an anti-Catholic. Since Corsi is an 'anti-Catholic bigot', and he is connected to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth group, which is questioning the integrity of a candidate, who happens to call himself Catholic, then it must logically follow that this group and its agenda, is anti-Catholic. This is a stretch to say the least.

 

Let me state, Corsi's comments about the Holy Father and priests who abused young children were disgusting and beyond repeating here. But there have been others, Catholic even, who said and wrote similar things at the height of the priest abuse scandal. Were they and their efforts, anti-Catholic? Yes, some of them could be characterized as 'anti-Catholic'. Some spoke and wrote with much anger and disbelief that such things could happen in the Catholic Church. They were far from anti-Catholic. But there were others, who used the scandal as a means to promote changes in the Church which had little or nothing to do with the scandal or efforts to prevent future abuses.  Those that could be called anti-Catholic capitalized on the scandal to push for ordination of women, democratizing the Church, laity selection of bishops, acceptance of contraception, etc. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is not calling for reforming the Church. And besides Senator Kerry chooses to not follow much of his Catholic faith when forming his political views. So, why would an anti-Catholic group want to attack a man who really is a Catholic in name only?

 

Again, Corsi's comments were uncalled for and disgusting, but by pointing out these comments Kerry Catholics are deflecting attention away from the serious allegations being raised by those who served with Senator Kerry in Vietnam. These allegations raise serious questions about his character and leadership. This man wants to be president. He has made his service in Vietnam a signature issue when determining his ability to be command-in-chief. We have heard his own story about this service. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth were there and they saw another side. A side which should be told. For many though, the efforts of Kerry Catholics and the DNC efforts to silence Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is telling enough.