Holy Father Pope Francis has encouraged the Knights of Columbus in practical charity and thanked them for their commitment to the Gospel of the family and their outreach to persecuted Christians. The Pontiff’s sentiments were expressed in a message sent by Vatican Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the 136th Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, which took place in Baltimore, Maryland, August 7-9.
As reported by Vatican news, Commenting on the theme of the convention, “Knights of Columbus: Knights of Charity,” His Eminence Cardinal Parolin said it evokes the inseparable bond of faith and charity of their founding fathers who wanted to establish a fraternal society committed to the Christian formation and mutual support of its members. The Pontiff hoped that the Knights’ “Faith in Action” programme, through the addition of a“Helping Hands” component, will bear fruit in a creativity of charity, ever more adapted to the new forms of poverty and human need that are emerging in society today.
The Pontiff also expressed gratitude for the charitable outreach of the Knights of Columbus towards the persecuted Christians, and particularly urged them to pray for peace in the Middle East, the conversion of hearts, a sincere commitment to dialogue and the just resolution of conflicts. Founded in 1882 in Connecticut, USA, by Fr. Michael McGivney, the Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest fraternal service society in the Catholic Church with nearly 2 million members.
