Knights of Colomb

The Chevaliers of Colomb is a catholic organization of benevolence, with nonlucrative goal which gathers more than 1,7 million members throughout the world. It was founded in 1882 with the the United States by Michael J. McGivney, a son of Irish immigrant. It took its name to remember Christophe Colomb it. The Knights of Colomb are an order of laic catholics engaged in the celebration of the faith, of the family and fraternity, their first principle being charity. According to the organization, the movement is not attached to the legal structure of the Church. It is not a religious movement or of catholic action, but primarily an order of laic catholics called " knights of colomb". The order obviously is directed and managed by the laic ones, not representatives of the Church.

In 2006 the Knights of Colomb are present in 12 countries and count nearly 13.000 councils. In 2005 this regrouping added up gifts of 135,7 million American dollars, in addition to 63,1 million hours in voluntary services and recruited 407.746 blood donors.

History

The abbot Michael J. McGivney, born with Waterbury (Connecticut), on August 12th, 1852, fact of the studies in priesthood in 1868 with the seminar of St-Hyacinthe (Quebec) for then going back to the United States to finish its studies. The abbot begins his ministry as vicar with Christmas 1877 and celebrates his first mass in the church of co. Mary (New Haven). It is thus in this parish that the abbot founds the first council of the Knights of Colomb in 1882.

In Quebec, the first council #284 is founded on November 25th, 1897 by the large knight Dr. James Guerin.

In Canada, one finds several knights in the provincial legislative assemblies. However, they had little impact as regards social legislation, in particular as regards the Droit of the abortion. Generally, the order does not act as lobby and does not post itself as tel.

In Massachusetts, there was a controversy when fifteen knights with the legislature voted in favor of the merry marriage. That is contrary with the precepts of the order and the doctrines of the Church.

See too

Knights of Colomb of Quebec
Site of the Knights of Colomb
Site of the Knights of Colomb - the Laval Council 2721

References

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