Covid-19: Catholic men
joining Knights of Columbus for charitable fellowship
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| Pope Francis greets Supreme Knight Carl Anderson on 10 February 2020 (Vatican Media) |
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson says the Knights of Columbus, a
Catholic fraternal organization, is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic in
creative ways to help those who could be left behind.
By Devin Watkins
The novel coronavirus has turned the world upside down, left
unprecedented numbers of people jobless, and brought on the new norm of
social-distancing.
At the same time, we are all becoming more aware of a
deeply-rooted desire for community and ways to help those in need.
Perhaps that explains why the Knights of Columbus have seen
a sort of mini-boom in membership requests.
Over 2,000 men joined the Catholic fraternal organization on
16 April in its first-ever online “Exemplification of Charity, Unity and
Fraternity”.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson spoke to Vatican Radio about
why Catholic men are interested in joining the Knights of Columbus.
Active in charity
Mr. Anderson identifies two main reasons.
“One, they see the need for added charity during the
coronavirus pandemic, and so they want to get active.”
The Knights have 10,000 local councils, and “they are active
in charity.”
“Plus,” Mr. Anderson adds, “they want the fellowship of
Catholic men who will be more than friends but will be fraternal brothers and
work together.”
The Knights of Columbus were founded by Venerable Fr Michael
J. McGivney in 1882 in the US state of Connecticut. According to their website,
the Knights’ aim is to “bring financial aid and assistance to the sick,
disabled, and needy members and their families.”
Helping those next door
After the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Knights began
the “Leave No Neighbor Behind” initiative during Holy Week. Members are urged
to help out local food banks, and to make blood donations.
“We launched this with a $1.25 million food supplement program,”
says Mr. Anderson. “We went to food banks in the United States and began buying
food through the food banks. Then our local men began to raise money to
supplement that. They also volunteer to help the food bank package the food and
deliver it.”
Mr. Anderson says the Knights have a particular strength:
local councils implement national guidance in the best way to help their
communities.
The initiative is working in several inner cities and in a
Native American reservation in New Mexico.
International response
The Knights of Columbus are also working on an international
level. One recent initiative included a donation to help set up a Covid-19
field hospital in Italy’s Lombardy region.
The organization also provided funds to create the special
coronavirus unit at the Bambino Gesù Hospital, a Vatican children’s hospital in
Rome.
Charity begins at home
As lockdowns abound in the US, the Knights of Columbus’
characteristic fellowship could face difficulties.
But Mr. Anderson says many councils have started holding
virtual meetings. Knights can also do charitable work together, while following
social-distancing guidelines.
The home provides another opportunity to build communion.
“We’ve been emphasizing, for a number of years, our Domestic
Church Program, which looks to build up Catholic families through the Church in
the home,” he adds. “We have a spirituality program. We promote families
praying together, reading Scripture together, and different charitable
projects.”
Still connected
Mr. Anderson also says the Knights wholeheartedly took up
Pope Francis’ invitation to pray the Rosary during the month of May.
“So,” concludes the Supreme Knight, “a lot of the councils
are coming up with very creative ways to stay connected online.”
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