Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus?
The following is the opening to a recently published article in the Knights of Columbus weekly newsletter Knightline. The subject of the article - entitled The Knights and the Vietnam War, written by Andrew Fowler - is a historical review of the Order’s relationship with the military, the refugees and the families of those who perished during this very intense time in our country’s history. The link to the entire, rather long, article can be found at the bottom of the page.
“The Vietnam War has a complicated legacy. To historians and political scholars, the conflict is a quagmire because of the United States’ decades-long effort to thwart the communist North Vietnam and Viet Cong from overtaking the democratic South.
On the home front, the war bitterly divided Americans, with some questioning the veracity of U.S. government reports about the conflict and whether increased U.S. intervention was necessary. Protests broke out across the country.
Just as the American public was divided, so were Catholics. In an editorial published by Columbia in 1967, then editor Elmer Von Feldt wrote, ‘the conscience of American Catholics is seriously troubled about the war in Vietnam.’ Some American bishops, such as Archbishop Fulton Sheen, favored withdrawal, while others argued that the United States, through its involvement in the conflict, was trying to defend human rights against the communists.
The stance of the Knights of Columbus was less complicated. The Order pledged its assistance to U.S. troops and to bring a ‘just and honorable peace in Vietnam.’ As with previous military conflicts, the principle of patriotism compelled Knights to provide for the temporal and spiritual needs of those fighting in Vietnam, as well as refugees, and the families of soldiers who died.
For more information about the Knights of Columbus and for a link to this column’s featured article please visit IWKnights9981.com/bulletin or on facebook.com/IWknights9981 and NOW on Twitter at twitter.com/IwKnights.
Links Related to this week’s column:
The Knights and the Vietnam War The Order supported troops while praying for peace during a controversial conflict.... By By Andrew Fowler, Knights of Columbus (5/28/2021)
Click here for Article
Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic A Novena which seeks Our Lady’s Intercession for Protection in Time of Pandemic By His Holiness, Pope Francis (3/2020) A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION IN TIME OF PANDEMIC (PDF Version) Click here for the Prayer
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We would like to talk with you about becoming an IW Knight. Please visit us on-line at our web site at www.IWknights9981.com/AboutUs. Or call Rob Schultz at: (314) 973-2373.
