Knights of Columbus pledge to fight for marriage, life, ‘under God’

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Orlando, Fla., Aug 4, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The Knights of Columbus have adopted, this week, significant resolutions on a number of critical social issues including marriage, the sacredness of life, the Pledge of Allegiance, school choice, and support for military men and women.

The resolutions, adopted yesterday at the 124th Supreme Council Meeting, held in Orlando, Florida, serve to formally state the Knights’ stance on the issues, most of which they have been involved with previously.

The first resolution states that Marriage, which is the foundation of society and provides the best environment for raising children, “is under siege in our culture” by the movement to legalize same-sex unions.

In this context, the Knights resolved to defend the principle that marriage is based on a love between one man and one woman and to oppose all attempts to legalize same-sex marriage. They resolved that they would join with the bishops throughout the world in their efforts to achieve legal and constitutional protection for the traditional definition of marriage.

Regarding life issues, they resolved to live up to their reputation as “defenders of life” and to encourage elected officials to pass legislation which prohibits the use of public funds to finance programs that degrade the value of life, whether that be abortion or embryonic stem-cell research. They also resolved to call for a law that protects the right of conscience for medical professionals and to make known their opposition to the death penalty.

They expressed their support for parental notification laws and resolved to demonstrate compassion for distressed pregnant women by supporting programs that offer alternatives to abortion.

The Knights resolved to defend the inclusion of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. They will be interveners in the lawsuit challenging the wording of the Pledge currently pending before the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The Catholic men’s organization further resolved to encourage legislation that would establish educational choice programs, providing financial assistance to parents who wish to send their children to Catholic schools.

Finally, as they have done for decades, they reaffirmed their support for and expressed profound gratitude to, the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces. They pledged to continue praying for military personnel deployed around the world and for their safe return home.

Comments: 20

Subscriber comments:

Published by: harold
delaware 06/07/2008 12:52 AM EST

yeah...K of C are a good group and do much good for society. Before you give so much praise to the Cathlic church, lets clean up your house first. We are a democratic gov. with people of great diversity. NO CHURCH or organization has the right to push their beliefs on others. You talk about war as if the killing of over one million innocent Iraq and Afghan civilans doesn't matter. All these pedeophile Cathlic priests. Arn't these issues more important than worry about same sex marraiges that have no direct impact on anyones life except those that are marrying?

Published by: Michael
Floral City, FL 08/31/2006 08:01 AM EST

Mikey, I can not see where in the article above you get justification for your statement that the Knights "deny the power of papal teaching on war,"? I need not restate the article, as it is there for the reading, which I suggest you do. Your statement reveals a very deep bias, perhaps political, against anything, or anyone patriotic.

Published by: mikey
WV 08/09/2006 07:59 PM EST

It is one thing when individual Catholics oppose the teaching of the Magisterium on particular wars citing "prudential judgement" (i.e. Iraq and Israel/Lebanon). While I disagree, Catholic teaching says they are free to do that. But for a "Catholic" organization like the K. of C. to systematically, as a group, deny the power of papal teaching on war is not only sad, but scandalous.

Published by: Esteban
Costa Rica 08/07/2006 06:41 PM EST

To Henry of Virginia, clearly anyone can join the Knight of Columbus, as long as they share the principles of the organization. Just like in any organization. If not, then you have nothing to do there. Let's remember that not all Republicans are pro-life or anti-gay marriage.

Published by: Henry
Virginia 08/07/2006 11:17 AM EST

Is it true that only Republicans can join the Knights of Columbus?

Published by: Michael Wyka
Floral City, Florida 08/07/2006 08:10 AM EST

I am proud to be a Knight of Columbus. The men of our Order work selflessly to support the Church and those in need, as evidenced recently by the K of C's $10 million raised & donated for the victims of Hurricanes Rita & Katrina. Vivat Jesus.

Published by: Luciano
Wisconsin 08/06/2006 01:36 AM EST

I'm disappointed but not surprised at the hissing directed at the K of C for their courageous stand. God bless you abundantly and grant you increase, success and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I also pray that many people will come to be aware of what the K of C are doing and be strengthened by it and maybe consider joining you. Sincerely, Luciano

Published by: John Mueller
Portland, Oregon 08/05/2006 10:51 AM EST

John, These posts are for Catholics, not Episcopalians !!

Published by: Robert
Latin America 08/05/2006 10:26 AM EST

It´s deeply sad to hear the views of humans grasping at straws to keep or to gain power. They will do everything. They´ll defame, they´ll exploit the ignorant. They´ll claim God is guiding them in their decisions.

Published by: deacom henry
manville nj 08/05/2006 09:22 AM EST

I object to john Healy's comment. Knights defend heterosexual marriage and annulmnets are handled by the heirarchy not the knights. If we take under God out of the pledge then what makes any war immoral? #3 is simply not true, ask any knight.

Published by: Dan Ranallo
Liberal Canada 08/05/2006 12:25 AM EST

Response to Mr. Healy:
Moral bankruptcy??? What would you know about morality?
1) For background, I suggest you look at Dutch society as they have had 'same-sex' marriage there for about 6 years and take a look at what the institution has become and this is from a country that has approved a political party that preaches pedophilia is ok for society. And annulments were never a secret.
2) Do you think any war is moral? Or would you prefer the taliban to show up on your doorstep? Do you think it would have been fine if Americans let nazi fanatics rule the world in the 1930's and '40's?
3) The compassion here is for both the woman and the unborn baby. The Knights of Columbus have given of their time and money to help various support organizations that offer an alternative to abortion. It's amazing in today's society that people still believe that a fetus is not a life. Now there's a superstition for ya!

Published by: Jim
Port Orange/FL/USA 08/04/2006 10:09 PM EST

Wow John, you attack the K of C with such a blatant disrespect for the teachings of Christ that your argument loses its impact entirely. Of course the Knights object to homosexual unions as does our Lord as evidenced in Scripture and by the consistent and constant teachings from Mother Church these two thousand years. Your point about annulments might have merit, but that would be apart from the first half of your statement in support of homosexual unions. As to point #2, as we are a democracy that chooses to be under God, there is only good in fighting to maintain that phrase in the pledge for our sake and the sake of our posterity. As to the second half of your statement declaring a war as immoral, who appointed you God to determine that status? Last I heard, all war is a horrible thing, but should we have not fought Hitler? Are not the radical fundamentalist Islamists who vow to destroy the US similar to Hitler in their arguments? Should we just give them the world? Do you have a wife and/or any girls; want them to be forced to wear Burkas? If you honestly believe that allowing a woman to harm herself in such a way to permanently wound her conscience at the same time as take the life of her child than you really prove yourself to be off of the vine. I would rather stand with the K of C on Judgment Day than you John. It is not too late yet, come home soon before it is too late?

Published by: David
USA 08/04/2006 10:08 PM EST

John...for all the good that the K of C has done over the years and the best you can do is find fault?

Published by: Patrick Valentine
Gastonia, NC 08/04/2006 09:33 PM EST

Go Knights!
A clear position, faithful to the Magisterium of the Church and clearly moral. Unpopular in some quarters, yes. But when were those that stood against the passing fancies of the times popular?

Deo Gratia for the Knights.

Published by: Father Wm. Ventura
Boston, Massachusetts 08/04/2006 09:05 PM EST

God bless the K of C for stepping up to the plate on these important issues. It edifies me to see good Catholic men taking up the lay vocation to address and evangelize the culture. They are faithful to the Church's teaching, and from this they do the will of God. Ad multos annos, Knights.

Published by: Bro. Harry Gonzales
Trinidad, Colorado 08/04/2006 08:03 PM EST

While I support the right of my brother Knights to support their political agenda, I remind them that this is the land of the free and the brave. Their right to support the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman is no less valid than the right of two men to do likewise for themselves. How sad that while the Knights of Columbus pray for our beloved military in service, they also resist equal rights for the very people those military personnel defend and serve.

I am so saddened by the bigotry expressed by the recent resolution of the Knights to exclude freedom for non traditional marriage expressions, that I resign my membership from the organization. My father defended this country and in his honor and those of all military, I will not stand while anyone's rights in this country is threatened.

It's most unfortunate that the Knights have moved into the political arena and so doing, have excluded a segment of our American society. Shame on you!

Published by: Robin Slate
Hamburg,NJ,USA 08/04/2006 06:59 PM EST

The K of C is a great oranization that is faithful to the Magisterium! This wonderful group of Catholic Gentlemen put thier time and money where thier mouth is and are not afraid to speak the Truth! The Knights are a group that young men can look to for moral support.

Published by: dml
California 08/04/2006 05:46 PM EST

Is the moral bankruptcy of the K of C also demonstrated in the millions of dollars and service hours they contribute to charitable causes, including care for the developmentally disabled? Is it demonstrated in their financial and spiritual assistance they regularly provide to widows and orphans? Sounds like an organization that conforms to the Gospel message to me (though perhaps not one that conforms to your personal political agenda.)

Published by: Hank Marshall
Ottawa Canada 08/04/2006 01:57 PM EST

Mr.Healy probaly is not a catholic,and if he is should give his head a shake.H.Marshall.K.OF C.

Published by: John Healy
Washington, DC 08/04/2006 11:48 AM EST

The moral bankruptcy of the K of C can be established by looking at their stances on issues:

1) They object to gay unions which have no effect on heterosexual marriages but are silent on Catholic annulments which dissolve heterosexual marriages.

2) They worry about keeping "under God" in the pledge but do not say anything about ending an immoral war that has killed thousands.

3) They act like denying a woman an abortion is demonstrating compassion.

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